More than a year after announcing plans to phase it out, Google is finally moving ahead with a major change that will affect millions of consumers.The familiar tool has been part of people’s daily routines for years, helping with everything from simple questions and reminders to controlling connected devices. Now, users on affected devices will have to make the switch to a new AI-powered alternative.Google is discontinuing Google AssistantGoogle (GOOGL) is discontinuing Google Assistant on affected mobile devices and replacing it with Gemini, the company’s newest AI-powered virtual assistant, beginning September 4, according to an email Google sent to users, 9to5Google reported.The phaseout will happen gradually over several weeks and will affect Android phones, tablets, Wear OS watches, headphones, earbuds, and vehicles that use phone-projected Android Auto.The transition does not yet apply to every device that uses Google Assistant. Google has said Gemini will eventually come to Google TV devices, Google Home speakers, and smart displays as the company expands its newer assistant experience.Once the transition is complete on affected devices, users will no longer be able to return to the traditional Google Assistant.Why Google is replacing Google AssistantGoogle first announced the transition in March 2025, when Brian Marquardt, Google’s Senior Director of Product Management for the Gemini app, said the company was preparing to move users from Google Assistant to Gemini.”Millions of people have already made the switch from Google Assistant to Gemini, and they are telling us how helpful the new, AI-powered features are in their daily lives,” said Marquardt in a Google News blog post. Marquardt said expectations for what a digital assistant can do are changing rapidly and that Google’s goal is to provide an assistant capable of helping users with productivity, creativity, and curiosity. Google’s growing investment in Gemini helps explain the company’s decision to consolidate its assistant experience around the newer AI platform. Instead of maintaining separate experiences, Google is moving toward a single AI system designed to handle both everyday commands and more complex requests.The Gemini app reached 950 million monthly active users in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, with daily active users tripling over the previous year, according to remarks from Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai during the company’s earnings call.Google has continued expanding the Gemini family of models as part of that broader strategy. The company recently released Gemini 3.5 Flash Cyber, is currently testing Gemini 3.5 Pro, and has already started a pre-training run for Gemini 4.The development of new Gemini models shows Google’s larger push to move beyond a traditional voice assistant toward an AI system designed to understand context, complete more complex tasks, and provide more detailed responses.The Gemini web app is currently available in more than 70 languages and over 230 countries and territories, according to Google.
Google is replacing Google Assistant with Gemini.georgeclerk / Getty Images
How Gemini differs from Google AssistantGoogle Assistant was launched in 2016 and was primarily built around straightforward voice commands and everyday tasks. Users could ask it to set reminders and timers, check the weather, control compatible smart-home devices, play music, and answer basic questions.Gemini, introduced as Google’s generative AI assistant in 2023, is designed for more conversational and complex interactions. It can generate and summarize content, analyze information, answer follow-up questions, and help users complete tasks across Google’s ecosystem.The shift reflects a broader change in how companies are building digital assistants. Traditional assistants were primarily designed to respond to individual commands, while newer AI tools are built to understand context, sustain longer conversations, and handle multi-step requests.For example, a user who previously relied on Google Assistant to set a reminder or check information may interact with Gemini through a more conversational request. However, the experience can vary depending on the device, feature, and Google service involved.Google has also been working to ensure familiar Google Assistant features continue moving to Gemini. The company says Gemini can now handle many everyday assistant functions, including playing music, setting timers, and taking certain actions from the lock screen. Google has also expanded Gemini’s ability to interact with smart-home devices and handle more complex requests.What Google’s switch means for usersThe biggest change for consumers is that Google Assistant will eventually no longer be an option on affected devices. Users who have relied on Google Assistant for commands will be moved toward Gemini, even if they have little interest in using a generative AI chatbot.That change may be most noticeable for people who primarily use their voice assistant for basic tasks, such as setting alarms, controlling smart-home devices, checking information, or playing media.At the same time, users seeking a more conversational AI experience may find Gemini better suited to requests requiring context, reasoning, or content generation.Here’s some of my previous coverage of shutdowns:Major AI chatbot launches genius new featuresSpotify adds new messaging feature, letting users slide into DMsFacebook’s WhatsApp solves global communication problemThe transition represents more than the retirement of an older Google product. It reflects the company’s broader effort to make Gemini the central AI interface across its ecosystem.For consumers, the result is a forced move from a familiar voice assistant to a newer technology that Google believes can do considerably more, even as the company continues working to ensure the everyday functions people relied on remain available.Related: Apple closing stores for one clear reason