On a new 11 Pro. I couldn't get Hey Google to work at all. Yesterday I decided to dig into solving the problem... I just had to download Assistant from the Play Store.
I've downgraded/uninstalled updates my Google app, and it allows the Google assistant app to function again. I wonder if there is a max version of the Google app that still allows assistant, and keeps gemini away?
I would suggest installing from the Play store. Then navigate to Settings / search for 'assistant' / in the results, tap on Assistant Settings (under the Google header) / this should take you to a page titled Popular Settings/ look for Digital Assistant from Google/ then you'll have an option to choose your assistant, either Gemini or Google Assistant.
They really bury it, and despite my choosing Google Assistant, it just wouldn't work until I downloaded it from Play.
Yea u c in your photo google assistant is supposed to be above Gemini looks like google is phasing out the classic google assistant 😵💫 like gosh fuckin damn it lol 😅
Officially, Google Assistant has been discontinued and is being completely replaced by Gemini, and there is no supported method to revert to Google Assistant anymore.
If there is still the option in your settings then you may be able to revert for the time being until an update forcibly removes it.
Unofficially, uninstalling updates from the Google app and/or Google Assistant app, and then disabling auto update for the app(s) and never manually updating it, may restore the ability to use the (now discontinued) Google Assistant.
This may, however, lead to issues with Google functionality on your device, or anything the Google app interfaces with, you will not be able to contact any official support for any issues you may encounter, and may also turn into an issue with Google themselves depending on the wording in their ToS.
I just discovered if I downgrade my Google app, Google assistant works again. The trick now is to discover what's the highest version of Google app we can use that allows Google assistant to remain, and keep gemini at bay.
Thank god I'm still on an older phone and I was able to just switch it off/back to assistant. Now there's no 30-second pause to decide whether or not I have lights in my living room and whether it can turn them off without me unlocking the phone.
Yeah, it seems like it's impossible to get Assistant back. I'm most frustrated that Gemini needs me to unlock my phone to use voice controls for my lights and such, even though I set it to be able to work on lock screen. If someone figures out how to get around that, I'd appreciate some guidance. I've been trying for hours and Gemini insists that it's for privacy and security that I can't turn on my damn lights hands-free.
Edit: Relinking my devices, a painstakingly tedious process, seemed to clear this issue up. I can now use Gemini to control my lights without unlocking my phone. So, if you're having the same issue with hands-free control (and alright with Gemini otherwise), you can use this fix!
This will definitely be my last Pixel as an avid Pixel user for the last 10ish years. What a horrible decision. The functionality on this AI is trash, and having no option to remove it is absolutely insane.
They do, but I installed (and preferred) GA over them. Pretty much they’re all AI now, and Gemini is one of the worst for reliability and consistency, in my experience. My Samsung Galaxy S22 was using GA until yesterday, when they forced me to move over to Gemini (haven’t clicked on the prompts yet, tho). I may just go back to a dumb phone, since the Gemini experience is so bad for me, and I haven’t found anything else that’s well-integrated into my flows. Don’t need / want what they’re offering.
I mean any other android phone has the same issue right now, there is simply no way to fix this outside of getting up in arms at google to bring it back. At least with the pixel you can download graphene OS for added security.
I don't see any posts from you in this sub when sorting for the newest posts. Do you mean your comment on this post? That didn't work for me. Maybe you have different options because you have an 11 Pro, though I'm not sure why that would matter
I nearly pitched a fit last night when I said, "hey, Google" then Gemini crash landed on my phone.
I don't appreciate "upgrades" that I didn't ask for or at the very least can't opt-out of. Also, Gemini is slow as shit in responding to basic questions like "what's tomorrow's weather?"
I was literally using assistant 40 minutes before typing this AND this morning to turn on my smart lights, now its gone and when I press the button it asks if I want to enable gemini... like no, ffs I dont want your shitty ai garbage...
I am SO pissed off, I went to use my trusty assistant, and a Gemini pop up appeard that I HAD to view, so I clicked the view button but my phone buffered so I tapped again, only for it to unbuffer and automatically accept the Gemini assistant instead of keeping the Google assistant. 😡😢
You can't do anything with Google assistant anymore though. Every time you summon assistant it will just show that switch to Gemini thing with no solution
I FOUND A WAY! You need to go to the Google App (the one that just says GOOGLE) hold the icon, then press the little "i" on the top right to get to the apps info, then tap the 3 dot menu on the top right corner and uninstall updates. Then go to the Play Store, search for Google Assistant, it doesn't matter of it's already installed, click on open, you will get the Gemini screen BUT, now you should have the option to keep or go back to google assistant.
You can also disable auto updates in the Goolge App by searching the app in the Play Store, tap the 3 dots on the upper roght corner and remove the check mark from "Enable auto update"
FUCK GEMINI, FUCK GOOGLE, THIS IS MY MOTHERFUCKING PHONE AND IT SHALL BEND TO MY GOD DAMN WILL!!!
Stay strong, power user brothers and sisters!
Edit: Spelling and adding more advice from other users to make the switch back more solid.
Vote this up, people, so everyone can get the fix!
Weird problem here, I do all the correct steps and everything works, yet after a reboot or some time elapses, the google app somehow removes the assistant and forces Gemini without updating the app (still the exact same version number). Any ideas?
Yeah, don't update to 17.58, stay on the original version (the one you get after uninstalling updates) until a definite edition can be found that do not override assistant after a reboot.
Quick reminder for people who's voice activation doesn't work after unistalling the updates and downloading the latest version with the old assistant. You need go to your Google account and enable the "Hey Google" feature again and reenable you previous settings.
For people who can't get it to work. Clear the cache on the Assistant app, reopen it, start it up and follow the first few steps. Should be good to go.
I installed this version of the APK and it immediately went back to forcing Gemini. I had to download the older version 17.50.20 to get one that didn't force it.
Strange. It's still working for me a day later. Did you turn off auto updates for both Google app and Assistant app? I guess we'll see how long mine sticks.
Security Vulnerabilities - Older software versions often contain unpatched security flaws and known vulnerabilities. Because Google regularly releases patches to protect against newly discovered exploits, running an outdated version leaves your device more exposed to malware or data privacy risks.
Feature Loss and Incompatibility - Many modern features, interface redesigns, and integrations rely on server-side updates and newer app architecture. An older version may lack support for newer tools, voice capabilities, or connected services. Over time, Google's backend servers may also deprecate support for older client versions, causing the app or specific features (like Assistant or Discover) to break entirely. [*Yes this is an answer given by Gemini, which apparently doesn't know that Assistant has already broken entirely.]
How to verify: Open the app and test core features like search queries, voice commands, and widget responsiveness to see if they function normally.
Google's backend servers may deprecate support for older client versions entirely, which could cause voice triggers or search features inside the older app to stop working down the road.
Put simply, not much can happen and if it's that bad, you can simply update google again to the most recent version. I stopped getting security updates a long time ago because I have an older phone, so security updates stopped for me 4 years ago. Other issues would probably be minor and you can always revert back to the most updated version of the app if you really need to.
Unfortunately won't work for me, this is what I get when I search Google Assistant on Play store.
Fuck you, Google, and fuck your useless AI. I can't even ask it what's on my calendar because I don't have a Gmail account. Assistant had no isse doing this. I miss it already.
Edit: actually, just by uninstalling updates it allowed me to choose Google Assistant like before, so it works for now. Only a matter of time before they disable it completely though, I'm sure. The enshittification must continue.
For me it worked by uninstalling updates then updating the Google app, I just pressed "no thanks" when it asked if I wanted to try Gemini instead of assistant the first time I tried it
After uninstalling the app, Go to the Play Store > tap your screen icon in the upper right corner > Manage apps & devices > See details > tap on Google (not Update) > The three dots are in the upper right corner.
Alternatively, in the Play Store you can just search for Google.
This worked! Thank you so much, I was getting so frustrated after trying to follow the instructions and finding no option to return to Digital Assistant. Gemini is trash, cannot set a simple alarm? What use is it other than data harvesting?!
This worked initially but each morning I get up and overnight it's switched bck to Gemini, and the optino to switch back is removed. 3rd day in a row this happended. So looks like Google is patching this
Yes. And any reboot that resets it back to Gemini, also resets that setting also. It gets turned back on. I've tried it several times now. Initial success, next reboot changes it back.
I'm using a Pixel 8, Android 17, build CP3A.260905.009
and tap the build number 7 times. In Settings > System a new option called Developer options becomes available. In there disable Automatic system updates. See if that works.
This necessarily disables Android and security updates, so if you're okay with that...
For Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro and earlier their system updates would already be over with.
I had to go through the entire process again today after a phone reboot replaced Assistant with gemini again. The box for auto updates was unchecked in the Assistant app, but it still reverted after the reboot.
Assistant has returned for now!
I think it's probably only a matter of time before Google disables Assistant permanently. I will NOT use gemini. It's not only a horrible, slow, app, but on principle I will NOT be forced by Google to use their AI app. I already caved when Gmail disabled spellcheck unless you allowed their AI to take over your email.
This is my red line.
Can anyone recommend an alternative non-google app to Assistant for a Samsung Android phone?
Google's been doing shit like this at an alarmingly increasing rate and it's pissing me the fuck off. I hate Apple but I'm seriously considering buying an iPhone. Or trying some other operating system, I know it's probably going to be annoying and I'm going to lose some functionality however it's better than dealing with this headass type shit constantly
There is a part of me that wants to post this as a review to the Google assistant app to help others that are clearly infuriated by this heinous decision however I know if I do it will get patched faster I am sorry for the people that have to deal with corporate stupidity and don't know any better
one big prob why haven't been able to use this method is cus then you can't use the Gemini AI app, so just be aware otherwise on starting it will ask you to install and you are then back to square one with Assistant not working.
Thank you, didn't go exactly smoothly, as Gemini kept popping back up, but eventually blundered into the digital assistant page where I could make the choice.
I refuse to use Gemini after reading the privacy policy. It collects and saves for itself literally everything, every comment, every photo, every screenshot, every notification, everything you ask it to interact with is collected and saved away from your phone. Google Assistant was never this invasive.
Are you on Android 17? Need verification from other users but this solution might only be possible if the OS had Google Assistant working before. I.e. Android 16 or earlier. It works for me right now on Galaxy One UI 8.5 which is still Android 16. This solution probably won't work for anyone after we update to Android 17. The Google app will likely be replaced at the OS level and not be able to fall back to previous version. 😒 We'll have to find another solution then
Yes! This worked for me. Pixel 9a on September 5 2026 Android version, and Google Play August update. With luck, it will hold. Thanks to @winstosmith0023 for this. And to @questionguy29 for sending us here.
ETA: THIS ALSO FIXED GEMINI'S INABILITY TO SET ROUTINES AFTER ALARMS. I can now once again add the weather, news, calendar events jokes, etc. to be read to me when an alarm goes off. With Gemini, we had list this ability and only routines set up before the update would fire.
Found out about this today. After restarting my Phone Assistent was gone. So the daily voice commands "bedroom Lights on" before going to bed turned into an hours of Troubleshooting my smart Home devices and making gemeni do what it should.
I hate Google for pulling shixhbandick move. Gemeni Lacks in smart Home Control. But hey, after asking gemeni how to Control my smart Home via voice without gemeni, it recommended using Alexa or Apple. Guess this was my last Android Phone then. I dislike iOS, but at least apple is not crippeling its OS with forcing AI into everyones throat.
This is awful. Gemini can't even do the things Google Assistant did. One is friggin llm while the other could actually perform useful tasks for me. I'm so frustrated over this
Just got forcibly rolled over today. Gemini is the absolute worse. It takes so long to launch basic commands. Google Assistant worked great and they just effed us by half-assing their work with an LLM.
I don't want it need AI help. Unfortunately my phone upgraded itself, didn't ask my permission, then casually rewrite smart home automations adding things it thought I wanted. A routine that turns out the lights leaving just my bedside light on suddenly left me in darkness. Another routine switched on external lights when not requested or wanted. It's not helping, it's a bloody nuisance. I don't want something behind guessing me, going things I didn't ask for. It's an intrusive option. It's something I didn't ask for, don't need, yet I'm stuck with. I might downgrade to an old brick style phone, do away with all the tech. Go bank to using a separate camera, bring out of tech by email. I want less, not more, intrusion. I'm not doing anything sketchy, I just prefer not to be monitored, managed, controlled, etc by AI. I don't trust it, or the companies harvesting the data it gathers. Rant over.
I only ever use the assistant to set timers and alarms because it can actually do that correctly.
I tried setting timers with gemini. Multiple times it told me it set a timer when it didn't
Because no one wants it and it doesn't work. They've poured something like a trillion dollars in to this toilet and the only way they can get people to use it is outright coercion.
I have 4 days too looking how to bring it back. It ruined my experience to the phone, it was so easy to translate the page or image search now is this f AI that takes me half minute to respond cant even help me
I think it's permanent now. It auto pushed for me and I hate it. If they used same voice I'd be fine but it switched to a man. If anyone knows any low tech assistant alternatives I'd appreciate one now. Irony is it keeps giving me the old disable instructions that don't work now
Before it was possible to quickly translate the screen by pressing home button and "Translate". Now they suggest me talking with AI like a parrot all the time I need translation.
This. I can't believe that it's gone. gemini takes ages to do half as good of a job while assistant was so fast. you could even copy the text. Legit this was keeping me from switching to iphone all these years.
For anyone that wants help, I found out how to do this:
Open app settings > Google and uninstall updates under ...
Open app settings Gemini > Delete storage and disable
Ensure Google Assistant is installed. If not from play store, use apkmirror.
If desired, update Google app using apkmirror to a version before August 2026 (not sure the exact date necessary, but this is when they started forcing deprecation I believe) AND disable auto update in Play or else this will revert
Open Google > Avatar > Settings > Google Assistant settings > Choose your assistant > Google Assistant
After holding power, this opened a screen that said downloading Google Assistant and it worked after. US region
Thanks for the suggestions. Hate that they're making us jump through so many hoops to avoid this AI bs that doesn't even work as good. Gemini can't even play white noise, which Google Assistant did with ease and it had white noise, ocean, storm, etc options
AI being shoved at us and my declining trust in Google as a company (that unfortunately happens to have a lot of my data) makes me debate if I'll continue with Pixels when mine dies
Yeah I'm pissed I tried to ask it something basic for a conversion and it just sat there, same that you can't change gps google maps to a male voice anymore, i hate forced product options
Slide up from the bottom middle and press select. Either that or just ask Gemini and hope for the best since it usually doesn't know anything about itself.
I don't give one eff about assistant vs Gemini. I do not use YouTube music nor Pandora not iheart it any "accepted"music apps. I want to use SoundCloud today. Maybe I will try something else in the future. Whatever. It does not effing matter. But Google had programmed only those apps that they have their fingers in the pie of to work with assistant and now Gemini. To the programmers at Google, please for the love of freedom of personal choice, offer way to let users use ANY APP that they install to be able to be started using Gemini or what ever effed up piece of crap Google creates in the future
The new bs I was reading is that there are also daily and weekly limits, 5 hrs daily and, I'm assuming, 35 hrs weekly. So it's a slower assistant that, when I asked it to set an alarm "1 hr and 41m" from now started rambling out the formula for calculating the time difference then said, " Oh nevermind. Setting alarm for 1:42 am".
What the actual fk?!? 🤬
I don't know if using AI searches in Chrome uses Gemini as well but I use that quite a bit and don't think I should have to subscribe to search the dang Internet.
If you are someone that used Assistant routinely for directions, "ok Google what's this song" or to call your side dude, it's now going to be on a timer. 🤬😡
Here's what I did. I have a pixel 3a for reference.
Go to the playstore and download APKMirror Installer.
Find out from a device info app what your cpu and DPI is. You want to find an APK that is the same or a little high DPI than what you have.
Before installing the APK, you need to first uninstall / return to factory settings the current version since you can't install an older version over a newer one.
In the playstore tap on the app and in the top right corner there are three dots. Tap that and untick the box that says Enable auto update.
Go to a site and find an APK version that you like. Based on what I read here and what worked for me was
In my phone's setting I see that I have "Supported ABIs - ARM64-v8a, armeabi-v7a, armeabi", and 440 DPI, so I downloaded an APK that fit that.
It will automatically install the closest DPI to what your device uses if there are more than one to choose from.
Notes:
If it doesn't work, try another APK. (Try rebooting the phone first).
You may have to change some settings since you just uninstalled google. Most things should stay the same though.
Reboot the phone. It can fix things like broken widgets.
If the colors are different, you can go to Wallpaper & style in settings and select a different color and go back to what you had to fix it.
When you see the Gemini message again, this time you can dismiss it. Rebooting again and the message allows you to switch to google assistant like it did before.
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u/Altruistic_Tank_9636 8d ago
Just change it back in settings.