Replace Google Assistant with Alexa or Cortana on Android

This guide shows you how to swap the default voice assistant on your Android phone from Google Assistant to Amazon Alexa or Microsoft Cortana. You’ll be able to trigger your preferred assistant with the home button gesture, the power button, or a voice command, depending on your device. Before starting, make sure the assistant app you want (Amazon Alexa or Cortana) is installed from the Google Play Store and that your phone runs Android 6.0 or newer for the most reliable results.

What You’ll Need

An Android phone or tablet (Android 6.0+ recommended)
The Amazon Alexa app or the Cortana app installed from the Google Play Store
Your device unlocked and connected to the internet
A few minutes to adjust system settings

Step-by-Step

Install the assistant app. Open the Google Play Store, search for “Amazon Alexa” or “Microsoft Cortana,” and install the official app. Sign in with your Amazon or Microsoft account when prompted.
Open the assistant app once. Launch the app you just installed and complete any initial setup, including granting permissions for microphone, location, and notifications. These permissions are required for voice activation to work.
Go to your phone’s Settings. Swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the gear icon, or open the app drawer and select “Settings.”
Find “Default apps” or “Apps.” The exact path varies by manufacturer: on stock Android, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps. On Samsung, it’s Settings > Apps > Choose default apps. On Xiaomi, look under Settings > Apps > Default apps.
Tap “Digital assistant” or “Assist & voice input.” This is the setting that controls which app responds to the home button long-press or the “OK Google” gesture. On some devices, it’s labeled “Default digital assistant” or “Assist app.”
Select your new assistant. You’ll see a list of installed apps that can act as a digital assistant. Choose “Alexa” or “Cortana.” If the app isn’t listed, make sure it’s fully installed and has been opened at least once.
Confirm the system dialog. Android will show a warning that the app will be able to read your screen and see your notifications. Tap “Allow” or “OK” to proceed. This is normal and required for the assistant to function.
Test the assistant. Press and hold the home button (or swipe up from the bottom corner on gesture-based phones). Your chosen assistant should launch instead of Google Assistant. Say “Alexa” or “Hey Cortana” to test voice activation if your device supports it.
Set up the assistant’s own voice wake word (optional). Open the Alexa app, go to Settings > Alexa Preferences > Wake Word, and enable “Alexa” as the wake word. For Cortana, open the app, tap the menu, and enable “Hey Cortana.” Note that this works only when the app is running in the background, and it may not work if the screen is off.
Adjust button shortcuts (if available). Some phones (like Samsung Galaxy) allow you to map the Bixby button or side key to launch a specific app. Go to Settings > Advanced Features > Side Key, and set “Double press” or “Press and hold” to open Alexa or Cortana.

Common Mistakes

Not opening the assistant app first. Android only lists apps that have been launched at least once as potential assistants. If you don’t see the app in the list, open it and try again.
Choosing the wrong setting. Many users change “Default apps” for browser or phone, but the assistant setting is separate. Look specifically for “Digital assistant” or “Assist & voice input.”
Expecting full system integration. Alexa and Cortana cannot replace Google Assistant for system-level commands like “turn on Bluetooth” or “open Settings.” They work mainly for their own services (smart home, reminders, queries).
Forgetting to grant microphone permissions. Voice activation won’t work if the app can’t access the mic. Check the app’s permissions in Settings > Apps > [App] > Permissions.
Using an outdated Android version. Some older versions (pre-6.0) don’t support third-party assistants properly, and the option may be missing.

Tips

If you have a Samsung phone, you can also use the Bixby button to launch your chosen assistant – just change the side key behavior in Settings.
Keep the assistant app in your recent apps or set it to “Unrestricted” battery usage to prevent Android from killing it in the background, which would stop wake-word detection.
For hands-free use, say “Alexa” or “Hey Cortana” while the app is open or running in the background. On many devices, this works even when the screen is on but not locked.
If you switch back to Google Assistant, simply repeat the steps and select “Google” as your digital assistant.
Some launchers (like Nova) let you set a gesture (e.g., double-tap) to launch any app, which can be a reliable way to open Alexa or Cortana without changing system defaults.

Troubleshooting

The assistant app doesn’t appear in the default apps list. Make sure you’ve opened the app at least once and that it’s not disabled. Go to Settings > Apps, find the app, and check that it’s enabled. If it’s still missing, restart your phone and try again.

Pressing the home button still opens Google Assistant. This usually means you didn’t select the new assistant in the correct setting. Double-check that you changed “Digital assistant” or “Assist & voice input,” not just “Default apps.” On some phones, you may need to clear the default for Google Assistant first: go to Settings > Apps > Google > Open by default > Clear defaults.

Voice wake word doesn’t work. Ensure the app has microphone permission and that battery optimization isn’t killing it. Go to Settings > Battery > App battery management, and set the assistant app to “Unrestricted” or “No restrictions.” Also check that the wake word is enabled inside the app’s own settings.

The assistant opens but doesn’t respond to voice. Check that you’re using the correct wake phrase (“Alexa” or “Hey Cortana”) and that the app is not muted. Also verify that the app’s “Voice” or “Hands-free” mode is turned on in its settings.

After switching, Google Assistant still responds to “OK Google.” That’s because the system-level “OK Google” detection is tied to the Google app, not your assistant choice. To disable it, open the Google app > More > Settings > Voice > “Hey Google” & Voice Match, and turn off “Hey Google.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have both Google Assistant and Alexa at the same time? Yes, you can keep both apps installed. The system default will be your chosen assistant for the home button gesture, but you can still open the other app manually and use its voice features within the app.

Will Alexa work with my Android smart home devices? Yes, as long as the devices are compatible with Alexa and you’ve linked them in the Alexa app. This is independent of the system assistant setting.

Does changing the assistant affect “OK Google” hotword detection? No. The “OK Google” hotword is handled by the Google app itself. To stop it, you must disable it in the Google app’s settings, as described above.

Why is my phone asking for notification access when I select a new assistant? Android requires assistant apps to read notifications so they can provide proactive information. This is a standard permission, and you can revoke it later if you prefer.

Can I use Cortana on Android anymore? Microsoft has ended support for the Cortana app on Android in many regions. If you still have it installed, it may work, but it’s no longer actively developed. Alexa is the more reliable choice for most users.

Will this work on all Android phones? Most phones running Android 6.0 or newer have the “Digital assistant” setting. Some manufacturers (like Huawei) may have a different layout, but the option is usually present under “Default apps.”

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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