Using the Gemini app automatically disables Google Assistant on Android

Abstract

• Google Gemini is a revamped version of Bard AI, now available as an app for Android users, but it comes at a price to replace Google Assistant.
• When you select 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 isn’t ready to fully replace Google Assistant yet, as it’s slower and still relies on Assistant for certain tasks. Users satisfied with their current Assistant experience do not need to replace it for now.

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

As we reported yesterday, there are still a number of things Gemini can’t do that Google Assistant can do on Android smartphones and tablets. However, as Android Authority revealed, there’s another drawback — you have to choose between Google Assistant or Gemini. When you accept the terms of service and opt-in to Gemini, your phone’s digital assistant automatically switches from Google Assistant. The next time you launch the Assistant with a long press, finger swipe, or Hey Google hotword, you’ll be greeted by Gemini.

The same is true if you install the Gemini app and then launch the Assistant using one of the shortcuts listed above. When you do it this way, it asks if you want to switch from Assistant to Gemini. If you say yes, it’s obvious what will happen: Gemini becomes a helper. If you say no, you’ll be greeted with the same Gemini login page the next time you open the Gemini app. Even if you choose the Gemini experience as your default assistant and then dig into the app’s settings to go back, you’ll see the 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 downloading Google Assistant.

This is another death blow — not a death blow — that signals the end of Google Assistant is closer than we might expect. It was recently officially reported that Google Assistant Driving Mode is shutting down in February, 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 yet appeared on our now-annual What Google Killed list is pretty remarkable.

The use of advanced large language models (LLM) in everyday life undoubtedly means that new helpers are on their way to one day completely replacing older and “dumb” helpers. Gemini is great as it is, but it’s not ready to fully take over what Assistant already does. While yes, it’s much better at solving the complex, sometimes tedious questions that Google Assistant gets stuck on, Gemini seems to take longer to actually register those questions. Interactions are a bit slower, and for some tasks, Gemini is just the highest level Russian doll when it comes to sidekick. It still has to go through the Assistant for certain tasks.

For users who are satisfied with their current experience with the Assistant, there is no need to replace it at this time. In fact, you can get access to all the features that Gemini advertises by visiting Gemini’s website on your mobile phone or laptop. All of which leads us to wonder, “Why bother downloading an app?” There is much good that will come one day if you accept Gemini as your only helper, but that day is not today. Maybe Google should start cleaning up its product branding process before that day comes.