Using the Gemini app automatically disables Google Assistant on Android

5 min read Original article ↗

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Dylan Coyle is a reporter for Android Police, and there isn't much he doesn't cover across the Android fold. At a basic level, regardless of how complex a topic is, he tries to make it easier for others to understand through his writing.

Dylan graduated from Temple University with a degree in journalism in 2021 and initially focused his career on making it in sports broadcasting, a dream of his since he was 10 years old. After brief stints announcing for a minor league hockey team in the ECHL and the dirt oval motorsports series known as the World of Outlaws Late Models, Coyle began focusing on behind-the-scenes public relations work.

Currently, Dylan is a public relations representative for Kaulig Racing, a NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series team that has over 20 wins in its brief nine-year history. During the NASCAR season, he is on the road for at least 30 weeks and weekends, traveling to each race across the circuit (or, as he likes to say, "the circus").

Dylan also announces sim racing for Racespot TV when he finds free time during the week.

Summary

  • Google Gemini is a revamped version of Bard AI, now available as an app for Android users, but it comes at the cost of replacing Google Assistant.
  • When opting into Gemini, your phone's digital assistant automatically switches from Google Assistant to Gemini, and there's no way to use the Gemini app without it taking over.
  • Gemini is not yet ready to completely replace Google Assistant as it is slower and still relies on Assistant for specific tasks. Users happy with their current Assistant experience don't need to replace it for now.

Are you ready to completely replace Google Assistant with Google Gemini? That’s the question many Android users are now pondering. Google made the semi-surprising announcement yesterday that Bard AI has been rebranded and, frankly, revamped into Gemini, and a host of changes have come as a result. One of the bigger shockwaves surrounds the new Gemini app for Android, which is a big step up from having to go into your smartphone’s browser to access the AI. However, using this app comes at a cost: Google Assistant.

As we reported yesterday, there are still a number of things Gemini can't do that Google Assistant could on Android smartphones and tablets. However, as discovered by Android Authority, there's another shortcoming — you must choose between Google Assistant or Gemini. When agreeing to the terms of service and opting into Gemini, your phone's digital assistant is automatically switched over from Google Assistant. The next time you trigger the assistant via long-press, swipe gesture, or Hey Google hotword, you'll be greeted by Gemini.

Lower part of a phone showing Google's Gemini prompt on Android

Google Gemini doesn't have these Assistant features yet

Google isn't kidding when it calls Gemini an 'experimental AI assistant'

The same goes if you install the Gemini app and then trigger your Assistant with one of the above-mentioned shortcuts. When doing it this way, you're asked if you want to switch from Assistant to Gemini. If you say yes, it's obvious what will happen: Gemini becomes the assistant. If you say no, you're greeted by the same Gemini opt-in page the next time you open the Gemini app. Even if you opt into the Gemini experience as your default assistant, then dig into the app's settings to switch back, you'll see that same opt-in page again the next time you open the Gemini app. In other words, there's no way to use the Gemini app without it taking over for Google Assistant.

This is another death push — not death blow — that signals Google Assistant’s end is closer than we might expect. Recently, the report that the Google Assistant Driving Mode was shutting down in February was made official, so it’s not like we’re shocked that Gemini is the Cuckoo bird in the Google Assistant nest right now. Assistant first debuted in 2016, so the fact that it hasn’t made an appearance on our now annual What Google Killed list yet is pretty remarkable.

Utilizing advanced large language models (LLMs) in everyday life undoubtedly means that new assistants are on their way to one day fully replacing older and “dumber” assistants. Gemini is great as is, but it’s not ready to completely take over for what Assistant already does. While yes, it is way better at handling complex, sometimes tedious questions that Google Assistant gets hung up on, Gemini seems to take longer to actually register those questions. Interactions are a bit slower, and for some tasks, Gemini is just the top level of a Russian Doll when it comes to Assistant. It still has to go through Assistant for specific tasks.

Text introducing the Gemini app displayed on a Google Pixel 8

Google Gemini is promising, but it can't replace Assistant just yet

I tried the 'experimental AI assistant,' and my impressions are mixed

For users happy with their current Assistant experience, there’s no need to replace it for now. As a matter of fact, you can get access to all the features Gemini touts by going to Gemini’s website on your mobile phone or laptop. All that leads us to ask, "Why should we bother downloading the app?" There’s a lot of good that will come one day from embracing Gemini as your only assistant, but that day is not today. Maybe Google should start clearing up its product branding process before that day comes.