Gemini to kill off Google Assistant on most Android phones — here's what you need to know

Google Assistant
(Image credit: Google)

Gemini, Google’s generative AI assistant and rival to ChatGPT, has become integral to high-end Android phones over the past year, gradually superseding the more basic Google Assistant.

Now Google has outlined plans to sunset its original smart assistant entirely, starting with Android phones.

“Over the coming months, we’re upgrading more users on mobile devices from Google Assistant to Gemini; and later this year, the classic Google Assistant will no longer be accessible on most mobile devices or available for new downloads on mobile app stores,” wrote Brian Marquardt, senior director of product management for the Gemini app, on The Keyword blog.

What does “most” mean? The footnote next to that part lists a fairly major exemption, highlighting that devices that don’t meet Gemini’s minimum system requirements will maintain access to Google Assistant for the time being. That means devices with less than 2GB RAM or those that run on Android 9 or earlier will be exempt from the forced change for now.

That’s likely only a factor for older handsets, though. Android 10 was released in 2019, and while there certainly are handsets that have less than 2GB RAM, the best cheap phones meet that requirement and then some. The $199 Motorola Moto G 2025, for example, comes with 4GB, and it runs Android 15.

Gemini beyond phones

Google Nest Audio review

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

While Google Assistant exists on other devices, there are plans afoot to switch to Gemini there, as well.

“Additionally, we’ll be upgrading tablets, cars and devices that connect to your phone, such as headphones and watches, to Gemini,” writes Marquardt. “We're also bringing a new experience, powered by Gemini, to home devices like speakers, displays and TVs,” he continued.

Plans for this switch will be revealed in the “next few months,” but for now, Google Assistant will “continue to operate on these devices.”

The upgrade for smart speakers — where Google Assistant made its debut — is the most exciting. Certain Nest smart speakers can use Gemini, but it’s currently in Public Preview and only available to Nest Aware subscribers. With Amazon preparing to unleash Alexa Plus on its Echo devices, the battle for smart home dominance could be about to get serious.

To ease worries about the transition, Marquardt outlines the myriad ways in which Gemini can now match Google Assistant’s powers on Android.

“We’re continuing to focus on improving the quality of the day-to-day Gemini experience, especially for those who have come to rely on Google Assistant,” he writes. “We’ve updated the app to support more of the most requested features, such as playing music, setting timers, or taking action from your lock screen.”

But the main point, of course, is that Gemini is far more intelligent and less rigid than Google Assistant, and it should be able to do a lot more than merely ape the old software’s most popular abilities.

“Features like Gemini Live for free-flowing, multimodal conversations and Deep Research, which transforms Gemini into a personal research assistant, are only possible with AI — and we’re just getting started,” he concludes.

Alan Martin

Freelance contributor Alan has been writing about tech for over a decade, covering phones, drones and everything in between. Previously Deputy Editor of tech site Alphr, his words are found all over the web and in the occasional magazine too. When not weighing up the pros and cons of the latest smartwatch, you'll probably find him tackling his ever-growing games backlog. Or, more likely, playing Spelunky for the millionth time.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
Google Gemini vs GPT 4o
ChatGPT just got a massive update that lets you replace Gemini on your Android phone
The new Gemini app home page vs the old
Forget ChatGPT — Google Gemini can now see the world with live video and screen-sharing
Gemini logo
Google's Gemini 2.0 update will supercharge your phone — 3 changes to try first
Google Gemini
Google Gemini — everything you need to know
Gemini Live
Gemini Live major upgrade just revealed by Google
Gemini logo
Forget Siri — Google just brought its Gemini widgets to the iPhone
Latest in Phones
Google Assistant
Gemini to kill off Google Assistant on most Android phones — here's what you need to know
iPhone 17 Pro render
iPhone 17 Ultra just tipped to replace Pro Max in new leak — with these key upgrades
samsung galaxy s25 edge mockup at galaxy unpacked
Galaxy S25 Edge is overhyped — I want Samsung to make this phone thinner instead
RCS messaging on an iPhone
Forget green bubbles — iPhones will soon get encrypted RCS messaging to Androids
CAD renderings of the Google Pixel 10 Pro
Latest Google Pixel 10 leak could make you want to skip it altogether
android 16 logo on a samsung galaxy smartphone
One of Apple’s most controversial AI features could be coming to Android phones
Latest in News
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE renders
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE price leak is bad news for budget-conscious buyers
Google Assistant
Gemini to kill off Google Assistant on most Android phones — here's what you need to know
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Saturday, March 15 (#643)
iPhone 17 Pro render
iPhone 17 Ultra just tipped to replace Pro Max in new leak — with these key upgrades
RCS messaging on an iPhone
Forget green bubbles — iPhones will soon get encrypted RCS messaging to Androids
CAD renderings of the Google Pixel 10 Pro
Latest Google Pixel 10 leak could make you want to skip it altogether