How to make Google Gemini the Default Android Assistant

PAT PILCHER takes Google’s new Gemini AI assistant for a spin and tells you everything you need to know to get this latest greatest app up and running on your phone.

Being able to say “Okay Google” and have access to the collective wisdom of the internet is great, but as useful as that is for settling pub arguments, Google Assistant is really starting to show its age. While Google Assistant is reasonably smart, ask it a complex multi-part query and it’ll struggle. This is one of the areas where Google’s newest AI assistant Gemini really shines. It’s built on a large language model and is a generative AI. Because of this, Gemini offers advanced conversational abilities and can understand and respond to complex queries far more effectively than Google Assistant.

This is particularly evident when you want to know more about something that Google Assistant has found out for you. Its near-complete lack of contextual awareness means that querying results with Google Assistant can get you gibberish answers or leave you feeling like you’re interacting with a robot that’s as thick as paste. Gemini on the other hand can provide more contextually aware responses which helps make interactions seem more natural.

Then there are the capabilities that Gemini’s AI smarts bring to the table. Gemini can summarise articles, generate creative content and even analyse images, all of which can hugely add to your smartphone’s usefulness. If that wasn’t enough, Google has already stated that Gemini is the future and that they plan to integrate all of the Google Assistant’s capabilities into Gemini, making it a good bet for future-proofing your Android phone. That said, there are still some limitations with Gemini. Functionalities like setting timers or controlling smart home devices still have to be routed through the Google Assistant and Gemini is still a work in progress, which means that it might not yet be able to handle all of the tasks you rely on with Google Assistant.

Even so, replacing Google Assistant with the smarter Gemini AI still seems like a bit of a no-brainer. The good news is that it can be done in 6 simple steps.

1 –  Download and install Google Gemini

Fire up the Google Play app and download Google Gemini. Once it’s installed, open the app and sign in using your Google account.

2 –  Change your settings

Next, head to your phone’s settings (e.g. tap the gear icon in your app drawer or by swiping down from the top of your screen)

3 –  Find the Default Apps section

In the settings menu, tap on “Apps” or “Applications”.  Then select “Default Apps.” This is where you can choose which apps handle what tasks on your phone.

4 –  Make Gemini your Default Assistant

In “Default apps”, look for the “Digital Assistant App” category. Tap it, and it’ll list available assistants, including Google Assistant and Gemini. Choose “Gemini” from the list.

5 –  Confirm your choice

A pop-up dialogue will ask if you’re sure that you want Gemini as your Default Assistant. Tap “Switch” to confirm and Voila! You now have Gemini as your Default Assistant.

6 – Test Gemini

Now try saying “Hey Google” or “Okay Google.” Gemini should fire up and you’re good to go.

See! Easy-peasy lemon squeezy. Now to solve world hunger and find a really good lasagne recipe.