Google has announced that it will start turning off Google Assistant on September 4, 2026, a process the company says will take a few weeks to complete, according to 9to5Google. The change will be rolled out gradually rather than happening on a single day.
Why the change?
Since its launch in 2016, Google Assistant has relied on natural language processing and voice recognition to let users interact with devices using the familiar “Hey Google” prompt. Over the past years, Google developed its own large AI model, Gemini, and has decided that Gemini will replace Assistant as the primary conversational AI across its platforms.
Previous timelines and updates
Google originally planned to complete the replacement by the end of 2025. The company later revised that schedule and said the Assistant would first disappear from Android Auto in March 2026. That March change did not take place; with the new announcement of the September 4 start date, the company appears to be committing to the transition.
Which devices are affected?
According to Google, the shutdown will take effect on Android and Wear OS devices and on vehicles that run Android Auto. Google TV and Google Home speakers, however, will continue to run Google Assistant for the time being.
Expected outcome
Google says it expects Gemini to increase user satisfaction after the migration, indicating anticipated improvements in functionality and user experience.
