Get Missing Google Assistant Features in Gemini on Android

If you’ve switched your Android phone’s default assistant from Google Assistant to the new Gemini app, you’ve probably noticed some things are missing—routines, continued conversations, or certain device controls. This guide shows you how to bring those features back or work around their absence, step by step.

What You’ll Need

An Android phone with the Gemini app installed (from the Play Store) and signed in.
Your Google account that’s already set up with Assistant data (routines, device settings).
Stable internet connection for toggling settings and syncing.

Step-by-Step

Check your current default assistant. Open your phone’s Settings app, go to Apps > Default apps > Digital assistant. If it says Gemini, that’s why some Assistant features are missing. If it says Google, you’re still on the old Assistant—this guide is for when Gemini is set.
Enable the Gemini app’s full access to Google services. Open the Gemini app, tap your profile picture in the top right, then go to Settings > Google services. Make sure Google Assistant features is toggled on. This restores some basics like setting timers and alarms.
Re-add your routines manually. Google Assistant routines (like “Good morning”) don’t automatically carry over. Open the Google Home app on your phone, go to Automations > Routines, and recreate the ones you need. Gemini can trigger these routines if you say the phrase, but it won’t manage them itself.
Use the Assistant’s voice for Gemini. If you prefer the old Assistant voice, in the Gemini app go to Settings > Assistant voice and pick a voice. This doesn’t bring back all features, but it makes the experience feel closer.
Set up “Hey Google” detection properly. On many phones, Gemini uses the same hotword. Go to Settings > Google > Settings for Google apps > Search, Assistant & Voice > Voice Match. Retrain your voice model and ensure Hey Google is enabled. This often fixes the “Gemini doesn’t respond” issue.
Enable continued conversation for hands-free use. In the Gemini app, go to Settings > Continued conversation and turn it on. This lets you keep talking without repeating “Hey Google”—a feature that’s otherwise missing by default.
Use the Assistant’s quick phrases for smart home. If you have smart home devices, open the Google Home app, select your device, and check that Quick phrases are set up. Gemini can control devices, but it may not support all the one-liners Assistant did.
Install the Google Assistant app as a fallback. Even with Gemini as default, you can still install the Google Assistant app from the Play Store. Open it and use it directly for features Gemini lacks, like Interpreter mode or Routines that you haven’t recreated.
Switch back temporarily for a specific task. If you need a feature that’s completely missing (like sending a voice message on WhatsApp), go to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Digital assistant and switch to Google. Do your task, then switch back to Gemini. This is a quick workaround.
Check for app updates. Google is adding features to Gemini regularly. Open the Play Store, search for “Google” and “Gemini”, and update both. Also update the Google Home app. New versions often restore missing capabilities.

Common Mistakes

Assuming all Assistant features are gone forever. Many are hidden in Gemini settings, not removed. Always check the settings menu first.
Not recreating routines. Routines are stored in Google Home, not in Gemini. If you don’t move them, they won’t work.
Forgetting to retrain Voice Match. After switching assistants, the voice model can get out of sync. Retraining fixes hotword detection.
Using an outdated app version. If you haven’t updated in a while, you’re missing the latest compatibility fixes.

Tips

Use the Gemini extension for Google Home. In the Gemini app, go to Settings > Extensions and enable the Google Home extension. This improves smart home control.
Set up a shortcut for Assistant. Add the Google Assistant app to your home screen for one-tap access to the old features.
Learn what Gemini does better. Gemini excels at on-screen context and multimodal questions. Use it for those tasks, and switch to Assistant for the old standbys.
Keep your phone’s language set to English (US) for the most features. Some Gemini features roll out in English first.

Troubleshooting

Gemini doesn’t respond to “Hey Google” at all. Go to Settings > Google > Settings for Google apps > Search, Assistant & Voice > Voice Match. Make sure the toggle is on, then tap “Retrain voice model” and follow the prompts. If that fails, restart your phone.

Routines work on Assistant but not on Gemini. As mentioned, routines live in Google Home. Open the Home app, tap Automations, and check that your routines are enabled. If they are, try saying the routine phrase exactly as written—Gemini may not parse natural variations.

Smart home controls are slow or fail. Ensure the Google Home extension is enabled in Gemini settings. Also, check that your devices are online in the Home app. If they work in Home but not through Gemini, try unlinking and relinking the device’s account.

Some Assistant settings are missing from Gemini. Open the Google Assistant app (install if needed), go to Assistant settings, and adjust what you need. Changes often sync to Gemini.

After switching back to Gemini, the old Assistant voice is still used. That’s normal—Gemini uses the Assistant’s voice settings. To change it, open the Gemini app, go to Settings > Assistant voice, and pick a new one.

Gemini doesn’t support Interpreter mode. This is a known limitation. Use the Google Assistant app directly for translations. You can also ask Gemini to translate a phrase, but it won’t do real-time conversation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will Google Assistant be completely shut down?
A: Google has said Assistant will continue to exist, but Gemini is the default on many new devices. For now, you can still switch back.

Q: Can I use both Gemini and Google Assistant at the same time?
A: Not as two separate assistants, but you can install the Assistant app and use it manually while Gemini is the default.

Q: Why can’t Gemini set multiple timers?
A: That’s a known missing feature. Use the Google Assistant app for complex timer management, or ask Gemini to set one timer at a time.

Q: Do I need to pay for Gemini to get these features?
A: No, the basic Gemini app is free. Some advanced features require a Google AI subscription, but the ones in this guide are free.

Q: Will my routines be deleted if I switch to Gemini?
A: No, they stay in Google Home. You just need to recreate them in the Home app’s Automations tab to use them with Gemini.

Q: Is there a way to make Gemini use the old Assistant’s voice for all responses?
A: Yes, you can select the same voice in Gemini’s settings under Assistant voice. It won’t restore other features, but the audio will sound familiar.

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

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