How to Turn Ok Google On and Off on Android

This guide shows you exactly how to enable or disable the “Ok Google” voice trigger on your Android phone or tablet. You’ll learn where the setting lives, how to set up voice match, and how to turn it off when you no longer want the device to respond to that phrase.

What You’ll Need

An Android device (phone or tablet) with the Google app installed and updated.
Your device must be signed in to a Google account.
Access to the device’s Settings app and the Google app.

Step-by-Step

Open the Google app. Find the Google app icon (usually a colorful “G”) in your app drawer or on your home screen. Tap it to launch.
Tap your profile picture. In the top-right corner of the Google app, tap your profile picture or initial. This opens a menu with account and settings options.
Select “Settings.” From the dropdown menu, choose “Settings.” This is the gear icon at the bottom of the menu.
Tap “Voice.” In the Settings screen, scroll down and tap “Voice.” This opens voice-related options.
Tap “Voice Match.” Under the Voice section, you’ll see “Voice Match.” Tap it. This is the setting that controls the “Ok Google” hotword.
Toggle “Hey Google” on or off. You’ll see a switch labeled “Hey Google” (or “Ok Google” on older versions). To turn it on, tap the switch so it turns blue. To turn it off, tap it so it turns gray.
If turning on, set up voice model. If you’re enabling the feature for the first time, you’ll be prompted to train the voice model. Tap “Set up” and follow the on-screen prompts to say “Ok Google” three times. This helps the device recognize your voice.
Test the hotword. After setting up, say “Ok Google” or “Hey Google” to see if the Google Assistant responds. If it doesn’t, check that the toggle is still on and that your device’s language matches the language you’re speaking.
Alternative path via system Settings. You can also access this through your device’s main Settings app: go to Settings > Google > Account Services > Search, Assistant & Voice > Voice > Voice Match. The steps are the same from there.

Common Mistakes

Looking in the wrong place. Many users search the main Settings app for “Ok Google” and can’t find it. The setting lives inside the Google app, not the system settings (unless you use the alternative path above).
Not training the voice model. Simply toggling the switch on without completing the voice training means the feature may not work reliably. Always complete the setup prompts.
Confusing “Ok Google” with the Assistant. The “Hey Google” toggle only controls the hotword detection. It doesn’t disable the Assistant entirely; you can still open it by long-pressing the home button or using the Google app.
Forgetting to check language. If your device’s language is set to something other than English, or if you’re speaking a different language, the hotword may not respond. Make sure the language in the Google app matches your speech.

Tips

Use “Hey Google” vs “Ok Google.” On most newer devices, both phrases work. If one doesn’t, try the other. Some devices only support “Hey Google.”
Re-train your voice model. If the Assistant stops recognizing your voice, go back to Voice Match and tap “Retrain voice model.” This can improve accuracy.
Turn off while charging. If you find the hotword triggers accidentally while your phone is on a table, you can turn it off temporarily and rely on the home button gesture instead.
Use with screen off. Some devices allow “Ok Google” to work even when the screen is off. This is controlled by a separate toggle in the same Voice Match menu (e.g., “While driving” or “Lock screen”).

Troubleshooting

If the toggle is grayed out: This usually means the Google app doesn’t have permission to use the microphone. Go to your device’s Settings > Apps > Google > Permissions and enable Microphone.

If “Ok Google” doesn’t respond after turning it on: First, check that your device’s language is set to a supported language (e.g., English, Spanish, etc.) in the Google app settings. Then, retrain the voice model. If it still fails, restart your device.

If the hotword works only when the screen is on: Some devices require the screen to be on for security reasons. Check if there’s a separate “Lock screen” toggle in Voice Match settings. If not, your device may not support always-on detection.

If turning it off doesn’t stop the Assistant from opening: The “Ok Google” toggle only disables the voice hotword. If the Assistant still opens when you say “Ok Google,” make sure you’ve toggled off the correct switch and that no other assistant (like a third-party app) is listening.

If the Google app keeps crashing: Update the Google app from the Play Store. If the problem persists, clear the app’s cache: Settings > Apps > Google > Storage > Clear Cache (not Clear Data, which would reset settings).

Frequently Asked Questions

Will turning off “Ok Google” affect other Google Assistant features?

No. It only disables the voice hotword. You can still use the Assistant by long-pressing the home button, tapping the Google app, or using other triggers.

Can I use a custom hotword instead of “Ok Google”?

No. Android only supports the built-in phrases “Ok Google” and “Hey Google.” Custom hotwords are not available in the standard Google app.

Why does “Ok Google” sometimes not work when my phone is locked?

Many devices disable voice match on the lock screen to prevent unauthorized access. Check the “Lock screen” setting in Voice Match. If it’s not available, your device doesn’t support it.

Does “Ok Google” work with multiple users on the same device?

Yes, but each user must train their own voice model. The setting is per-user, so switching users will require separate setup.

Will turning off “Ok Google” save battery?

It can, because the device stops continuously listening for the hotword. The impact is usually small, but on older devices it may be noticeable.

Can I turn on “Ok Google” without the Google app?

No. The Google app is required for the voice match feature. If you’ve disabled or uninstalled it, you’ll need to reinstall it from the Play Store.

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

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