Google Assistant is off by default on most devices — you have to turn it on yourself
Google Assistant is a voice and text helper built into Android phones, iPhones, tablets, and computers. It answers questions, controls smart home devices, sets reminders, and plays music when you ask it to. Before you can use it, you need to turn it on in your device settings. The steps differ slightly depending on what device you own, but the process takes less than a minute on any of them.
This guide walks you through enabling Google Assistant on the devices you actually use. If you have already turned it on and just need to know how to use it, look for the microphone icon on your home screen or lock screen and tap it to start talking.
Key Takeaways
- Android phones have Google Assistant built in and turned on by default in most cases, but you can verify it is active in the Google app settings.
- iPhone and iPad users must download the Google Assistant app from the App Store before they can use it.
- On a computer, you can use Google Assistant through the Google Home website or by installing the Google Home app on Windows or Mac.
- Once enabled, you can activate Google Assistant by saying "Hey Google" on phones and tablets, or by tapping the microphone icon on any device.
- If "Hey Google" voice activation is not working, check that microphone permission is turned on in your device settings.
Enabling Google Assistant on Android phones
Most Android phones come with Google Assistant already turned on, but you should verify this in your settings. Open the Google app on your phone — it is usually on your home screen or in your app drawer. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner, then tap Settings. Scroll down and tap Google Assistant.
Look for the toggle next to Google Assistant at the top of the screen. If it is already blue or switched to the right, it is on. If it is gray or switched to the left, tap it to turn it on. You should now be able to say "Hey Google" from your home screen or lock screen to activate it. If voice activation does not work, go back to the same settings screen, tap Voice Match, and make sure the toggle next to Hey Google is turned on.
Enabling Google Assistant on iPhone and iPad
iPhones and iPads do not have Google Assistant built in, so you need to download the app first. Open the App Store, tap the search icon at the bottom, and search for "Google Assistant". Tap the app with the Google logo and the colorful microphone icon. Tap Get, then Install, and use Face ID or your Apple ID password to confirm the download.
Once the app is installed, open it and tap get your free guide. You will be asked to sign in with your Google account — use the same account you use for Gmail or YouTube. After you sign in, the app will ask for permission to access your microphone, location, and contacts. Tap Allow for each one so that Google Assistant can hear you and work properly. You can now open the Google Assistant app anytime and tap the microphone icon to speak to it, or tap the text box to type a question.
Enabling Google Assistant on Windows and Mac computers
You can use Google Assistant on a computer through the Google Home website without downloading anything. Go to google.com/home in your web browser and sign in with your Google account. You will see a microphone icon in the center of the screen. Click it to start talking to Google Assistant, or type your question in the search box below it.
If you want a dedicated app on your computer, you can download Google Home instead. On Windows, go to the Microsoft Store, search for "Google Home", and click Install. On Mac, go to the App Store, search for "Google Home", and click Get. Once installed, open the app, sign in with your Google account, and you will see the same microphone icon ready to use. The app version works the same way as the website version but sits on your desktop for quicker access.
Giving Google Assistant permission to use your microphone
If you have turned on Google Assistant but "Hey Google" voice activation is not working, the problem is usually that the app does not have permission to use your microphone. On Android, open Settings, tap Apps, find the Google app, tap Permissions, and make sure Microphone is turned on. On iPhone, open Settings, scroll down to find Google Assistant, tap it, and toggle Microphone on.
On Windows, open Settings, go to Privacy & Security, click Microphone, and make sure the toggle at the top is on. Then scroll down and make sure Google Home has permission to use your microphone — the toggle next to it should be on as well. On Mac, open System Settings, click Privacy & Security, select Microphone, and look for Google Home in the list. If it is not there, the app will ask for permission the next time you try to use voice activation.
What to do if Google Assistant will not turn on
If you have followed the steps above and Google Assistant still will not work, try signing out and signing back in. On Android, open the Google app, tap your profile picture, tap Manage your Google Account, go to the Security tab, scroll down to Your devices, and tap Manage all devices. Find your phone in the list and tap it, then tap Sign out. Go back to the Google app and sign in again with your Google account.
On iPhone or iPad, open the Google Assistant app, tap your profile picture in the top right, and tap Sign out. Then open the app again and sign in with your Google account. On a computer, sign out of your Google account in the browser, clear your browser cache, and then sign back in. If none of these steps work, restart your device completely — turn it off, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. This fixes most problems with Google Assistant not responding.
Using Google Assistant once it is turned on
Once Google Assistant is enabled, you can activate it in several ways depending on your device. On Android phones and tablets, say "Hey Google" from anywhere on your device, or long-press the home button. On iPhone and iPad, open the Google Assistant app and tap the microphone icon, or say "Hey Google" if you have set up Voice Match in the app settings. On a computer, go to google.com/home or open the Google Home app and click the microphone icon.
You can ask Google Assistant to do many things: answer questions, set alarms and reminders, send text messages, control smart home devices, play music, check the weather, and much more. Try asking it something simple first, like "What is the weather today?" or "Set a timer for 10 minutes." This will help you get used to how it responds and what it can do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is "Hey Google" not working even though I turned it on?
The most common reason is that your device does not have microphone permission turned on for the Google app. Go to your device settings, find the Google app or Google Assistant app, tap Permissions, and make sure Microphone is toggled on. Also make sure you are saying "Hey Google" clearly and that your device is not in silent mode.
Can I use Google Assistant without saying "Hey Google"?
Yes. On any device, you can tap the microphone icon to activate Google Assistant without saying the wake word. On Android, you can also long-press the home button. On iPhone, you must open the Google Assistant app and tap the microphone icon. On a computer, click the microphone icon on google.com/home or in the Google Home app.
Do I need a Google account to use Google Assistant?
Yes, you must sign in with a Google account to use Google Assistant on any device. If you do not have a Google account, you can create one for free at google.com. Use the same account across all your devices so that Google Assistant remembers your preferences and settings.
Is Google Assistant the same as Google Search?
No. Google Search is a search engine that finds information on the web. Google Assistant is a voice helper that can answer questions, control devices, and do tasks for you. You can use Google Assistant to search the web, but it does much more than that.
Can I turn off Google Assistant if I do not want to use it?
Yes. On Android, open the Google app, tap your profile picture, go to Settings, tap Google Assistant, and toggle it off. On iPhone, open the Google Assistant app, tap your profile picture, and tap Sign Out. On a computer, you can simply close the Google Home website or app and not use it.