Google To Replace Google Assistant With Gemini On Mobile Devices

Google has announced plans to replace Google Assistant with its AI-powered Gemini on Android phones later this year. The tech giant revealed on March 14, 2025, that it will be upgrading more users from Google Assistant to Gemini “over the coming months,” after which the classic Google Assistant will no longer be accessible on most mobile devices or available for new downloads from app stores.

The Transition to Gemini

The move away from Google Assistant comes nearly a decade after its initial launch in 2016. According to Google, the shift represents the company’s response to the current platform transformation driven by generative AI, which is changing how users interact with technology.

“We’re upgrading Google Assistant users on mobile to Gemini, offering a new kind of help only possible with the power of AI,” Google stated in its official blog post. The company emphasized that millions of users have already transitioned from Google Assistant to Gemini and have provided positive feedback about the AI-powered features in their daily lives.

What is Gemini?

Gemini is Google’s AI-powered assistant that offers advanced capabilities beyond the classic Google Assistant. Since its launch last year, Gemini has expanded to support over 40 languages across more than 200 countries. The application includes features that weren’t possible with the previous assistant technology:

Gemini Live: Enables free-flowing, multimodal conversations with users
Deep Research: Transforms Gemini into a personal research assistant
Enhanced day-to-day functionality: Support for playing music, setting timers, and taking actions from the lock screen

Google has been improving Gemini’s functionality to support features that Google Assistant users have come to rely on, specifically addressing the most requested capabilities to ensure a smooth transition for users.

Beyond Mobile: The Broader Rollout

The transition to Gemini will extend beyond smartphones. Google announced plans to upgrade tablets, cars, and devices that connect to phones, such as headphones and watches. Additionally, the company intends to bring a new Gemini-powered experience to home devices including speakers, displays, and TVs.

Google hasn’t provided specific timelines for these additional device upgrades but promised to share more details in the coming months. Until then, Google Assistant will continue to operate on these devices.

Industry Shift: Tech Giants Replacing Voice Assistants with AI

Google’s move to replace Assistant with Gemini is part of a broader industry trend where major technology companies are transitioning from traditional voice assistants to more sophisticated AI-powered alternatives. Amazon has similarly been phasing out its original Alexa assistant in favor of a more advanced AI version.

This industry-wide shift reflects the limitations of first-generation voice assistants, which were primarily designed for simple commands and basic information retrieval. In contrast, the new generation of AI assistants can understand context better, engage in more natural conversations, and perform more complex tasks thanks to advancements in generative AI technology.

For Google, the transition was telegraphed earlier when the company launched its Pixel 9 smartphone line with Gemini as the default virtual assistant. The company notes that Gemini’s advanced capabilities provide new ways for users to get help and information on various topics.

As these technology giants continue to invest in AI-powered assistants, users can expect more sophisticated features, improved natural language understanding, and enhanced integration with existing apps and services. The transition marks a significant evolution in how people interact with their devices and access information in their daily lives.