Google announced the final timeline for switching the voice assistant on its official blog: Google Assistant will stop service on March 31, 2026, and the feature migration has started today; Gemini has taken over core platforms such as Android, Wear OS, Chrome, and smart speakers. Users can manually switch in settings, and the transition period will end in Q1 2026.
Key Milestones
- December 2024: Gemini will default to handling high-frequency commands such as voice search, alarms, calendar, and smart home control
- June 2025: Nest speakers/displays will fully roll out Gemini, supporting "natural language + continuous conversation"
- January 2026: The Google Assistant app will be removed from the Play Store and App Store
- March 31, 2026: Server shutdown, all devices will be forced to switch to Gemini
Functional Differences
Gemini supports a 1 million token context, cross-app task execution, and screen understanding; Assistant will only maintain basic voice commands and device control, with no new features being developed.
User Impact
Android 10+ devices will automatically update the Gemini plugin, and Wear OS and Chromebook will receive updates synchronously; smart speakers need to manually confirm the migration, otherwise they will not be able to wake up starting April 2026. Google promises that historical data and personalized settings from Assistant can be imported into Gemini with one click, ensuring a seamless experience.
