Google will begin removing Google Assistant from Android phones and tablets on September 4, 2026, the company told users in an email this week. The change marks the start of a weeks-long process that will replace the legacy assistant with Gemini across mobile devices and paired accessories.
In messages sent to existing users, Google said Assistant is “being discontinued” on mobile hardware and that “Gemini — our next-generation AI-powered assistant – is now the assistant experience on Android,” according to 9to5Google, which obtained the email. The rollout will begin September 4 and “may take a few weeks to reach everyone.”
After the transition reaches a device, users will no longer be able to access Google Assistant or revert to it on that phone, tablet, or connected peripheral. Google has added a banner to its Assistant support pages stating that Gemini understands the same commands as Assistant while also allowing more natural conversations, according to Android Authority.
Once the change is applied, users invoking the assistant with “Hey Google” or by long-pressing the power button will launch Gemini instead of Assistant. Google has said it will share additional details as it works toward what it calls a “seamless transition” to Gemini throughout 2026.
Phones, Watches, and Headphones Affected
The shutdown extends beyond smartphones. Google confirmed in the email that Wear OS watches, headphones, and earbuds will also lose Assistant access. Vehicles running Android Auto when projected from a mobile device are included as well.
One category is exempt: cars with Google built-in will keep Google Assistant past September 4, 2026. The company has not said when those vehicles will transition to Gemini.
The August announcement does not address every product line. Google has previously said Gemini is coming to Google TV hardware and to Google Home speakers and smart displays, but it has not announced dates for either transition. It is also unclear when the docked Pixel Tablet will switch to Gemini.
Deadline Slipped From Late 2025
Google first said in March 2025 that Gemini would replace Assistant on most mobile devices by the end of that year. In December 2025, the company pushed the timeline into 2026, citing the need for a “seamless transition.” A banner on Google’s support pages later indicated Assistant would remain available until March 2026.
The September 4 date is the most specific deadline Google has provided for the mobile phase-out.
Google launched Assistant in 2016, meaning the service will have run for roughly ten years when the mobile shutdown completes. Since that debut, Google has steadily shifted development resources toward Gemini, which the company positions as a more capable, conversational alternative built on generative AI.
Users Can Still Switch Back for Now
Android users who have installed the Gemini app retain the option to switch back to Google Assistant in the app’s settings. That toggle will disappear once the September rollout applies to a device.
Devices that do not meet Gemini’s minimum requirements, or users in regions where Gemini is not supported, may keep Google Assistant longer, according to reporting from Android Authority.
In its email, Google told users: “We are committed to providing a smooth transition and are confident that Gemini will offer you an even more capable and helpful assistant experience.”