When Google launched its virtual assistant designed for Android in 2016, “Google Assistant”, which mimics the functionality of Amazon’s virtual assistant Alexa and Apple’s Siri, the main goal was to provide easy and fast access to various device tools and features either through voice or text input. Users simply need to pronounce a predefined alert phrase like “Hey Google” or “OK Google” to summon the virtual assistant on their phone and start receiving and executing commands or providing the required information effortlessly.
Google Assistant comes pre-installed on almost all Android phones as part of the Google search app and offers many advantages such as voice control of the device, voice search, opening and running apps and timers and reminder messages through voice commands, reading messages and notifications, and much more. Despite all its features and ease of use, many users prefer manual control of their smartphones and do not lean towards engaging in such voice conversations with the virtual assistant.
These users may need to disable Google Assistant to reduce the burden on the phone’s resources and prolong battery life if they do not actually use it. Google Assistant is sometimes automatically running in the background, draining the battery faster. Also, speaking certain phrases while using the phone may accidentally activate Google Assistant, which can sometimes be annoying to some users. In the following paragraphs, we will learn how to disable the default Google Assistant, or continue using the assistant but with turning off the alert phrases and voice commands or disabling the voice responses.
Some users may want to disable Google Assistant in order to save battery life or for privacy concerns related to voice activation. Disabling and enabling voice commands, voice responses, or using text input only are ways to manage the assistant based on personal preferences.
