Google has announced plans to replace its Google Assistant with Gemini on most mobile devices by the end of 2025. The transition, which has already begun for millions of users, represents what Google calls a “platform shift” driven by generative AI technology.
What is changing
Google Assistant, launched in 2016 with natural language processing and voice recognition capabilities, will be phased out on most mobile devices. According to Google’s official announcement, the “classic Google Assistant will no longer be accessible on most mobile devices” later this year and won’t be available for new downloads on mobile app stores.
The exception will be phones running Android 9 or earlier with less than 2GB of RAM, which will continue to support the existing Assistant experience.
Expanded capabilities
Google describes Gemini as a “personal, AI-powered assistant” that goes beyond the capabilities of Google Assistant. Brian Marquardt, Senior Director of Product Management for the Gemini app, stated that an assistant should be:
- Personal to the user
- Aware of the world around the user
- Able to interact with apps and services the user already utilizes
- Capable of making users more productive, creative, and curious
The company has been adding features to Gemini to match Google Assistant’s functionality while introducing new AI-powered capabilities. Recent additions include:
- Playing music and setting timers
- Lock screen access
- Device control through utilities
- Gemini Live for “free-flowing, multimodal conversations”
- Deep Research, which transforms Gemini into a “personal research assistant”
Broader integration
Beyond phones, Google confirmed that Gemini will be coming to various other platforms:
- Tablets
- Cars
- Watches
- Headphones (already implemented on Pixel Buds)
- Home devices (speakers, displays, and TVs)
Google has promised more details on these integrations in the coming months, while noting that Google Assistant will continue to operate on these devices until the transition.
Currently, the Gemini app is available in over 40 languages and more than 200 countries, with Google working to improve its everyday functionality, particularly for users who have relied heavily on Google Assistant.