Google Assistant comes turned on by default on almost all Android devices. Its name has recently changed to Google Gemini which is replacing Google Assistant on new devices. If you have an older device, you may be given the option to choose between Google assistant or Gemini depending on personal choice. We would recommend changing to Gemini.
To check if it’s active on your device, long-press the lock button and if it’s active Google Assistant/Gemini will start listening to you. However, if your device is not connected to Google Assistant/Gemini, you will be asked to turn it on via a small prompt at the bottom of your screen.
Launch the Google Assistant/ Gemini
- Tap on your profile picture and select Settings.
- Go to Google Assistant > General.
- Enable the Google Assistant toggle.
Once turned on, your Google Assistant/ Gemini is ready to answer your questions, follow your commands, and bring you the relevant search results.
Simply long-press your lock button and speak.
If you use gesture navigation instead of buttons, swipe your finger diagonally from either side of the bottom corners of your screen to the centre.
The assistant should appear saying “Hi, how can I help?”. You can then start talking. For instance, you can say things like “OK Google, how old is Tom Holland?” or “OK Google, set timer for 10 minutes.”
Note: We have found this gesture does not work on all devices.
OK Google Commands
Now that ‘Ok Google’ or Gemini is set up on your phone, you do not have to press anything to activate it, you just need to say those magic words; ‘Ok Google’ or ‘Hey Google’ followed by your simple command, here are some suggestions:
- Ok Google, what’s the time?
- Ok Google, set a timer for 10 minutes.
- Ok Google, What’s the weather like today?
Text Messaging Using 'Ok Google'
Just say:
- ‘Ok Google, text Dave mobile.’
Google will then ask ‘what would you like to say?’
- You can then talk into the phone and say what you want in your text message, ‘I will be late home for dinner tonight.’
Google will then read the message back to you.
- If you are ready to send it, when google says ‘Ready to send it? Say ‘Yes.’
- If you need to change it, instead of saying ‘Yes’ when asked, ‘Ready to send it?’ say instead ‘Edit it’ then you can re-dictate your text message.
Reading Unread Text messages
Say:
- ‘Ok Google, read my text messages.’
WhatsApp Messages
To WhatsApp message someone in your WhatsApp contact list, say:
- ‘Ok Google, WhatsApp Dave.’
Then Google will go through the same things as if you were text messaging normally.
Reading WhatsApp Messages
To get Google to read out your WhatsApp messages you have received say:
- ‘Ok Google, read my WhatsApp messages.’
Remember, Google will only read text messages and WhatsApp messages that are unread.
To make a call
‘Ok Google, Call Dave Mobile.’
Or, to make a WhatsApp Call say:
‘Ok Google, WhatsApp Call Dave Mobile’.
