Google Assistant is turned on in different ways depending on your device

Google Assistant is a voice and text tool built into Android phones, iPhones, Chromebooks, and some computers. How you turn it on depends on what device you own. On most Android phones, you hold down the home button or say "Hey Google" to start it. On iPhones, you open the Google app and tap the microphone icon. On computers, you use the Google Home app or access it through Chrome. Once enabled, you can ask it questions, control smart home devices, set reminders, or play music.

The steps below cover the most common devices. If your device is not listed, check the manufacturer's support page for your specific model, since some older or less common devices may have different activation methods.

Key Takeaways

  • On Android phones, hold the home button or say "Hey Google" to activate Google Assistant without any setup needed.
  • On iPhones, open the Google app, tap the microphone icon at the bottom, and grant microphone permission the first time you use it.
  • On Chromebooks, press the search key or say "Hey Google" if you have voice activation turned on in settings.
  • On Windows and Mac computers, download the Google Home app from the official app store to use Google Assistant.

Enabling Google Assistant on Android phones

Most Android phones come with Google Assistant already turned on. To use it, hold down the home button (the circular button at the bottom center of your screen) for about two seconds. The Google Assistant screen will open. If nothing happens, go to Settings, then Apps, then Google, and check that Google Assistant is installed and up to date.

You can also activate Google Assistant by saying "Hey Google" out loud if voice activation is enabled. To turn this on, open the Google Assistant app, tap your profile picture in the top right, go to Settings, then Voice, and toggle on "Voice activation." After that, you can say "Hey Google" from anywhere on your phone to start it, even when the screen is locked.

If you want to change which button opens Google Assistant, go to Settings, then System, then Gestures, then "System navigation," and look for options to customize the home button behavior. Some phones let you double-tap the power button instead.

Enabling Google Assistant on iPhones

iPhones do not have Google Assistant built in by default. You need to download the Google app from the App Store first. Open the App Store, search for "Google," and tap the official Google app (the one with the colorful "G" logo). Tap Get, then Open once it finishes downloading.

Once the Google app is installed, tap the microphone icon at the bottom of the screen. The first time you do this, your phone will ask for permission to access your microphone. Tap Allow. After that, you can use Google Assistant by tapping the microphone icon whenever you open the Google app.

If you want to activate Google Assistant by voice, you can set up a Siri shortcut to open it. Go to the Shortcuts app, tap Create Shortcut, search for "Open App," select Google, and save it with a name like "Google Assistant." Then you can say "Hey Siri, Google Assistant" to open it, though this is slower than tapping the microphone icon directly.

Enabling Google Assistant on Chromebooks

Chromebooks have Google Assistant built in. To open it, press the search key (the magnifying glass key on the left side of the keyboard, usually where Caps Lock would be on a regular keyboard). The Google Assistant panel will appear on the right side of your screen. You can then type or speak your question.

If you want to use voice commands, make sure voice activation is turned on. Click the time in the bottom right corner, then Settings, then Search and Assistant, then toggle on "Google Assistant." After that, you can say "Hey Google" to activate it without pressing the search key.

Some older Chromebooks may not have Google Assistant available. If you do not see the search key or the option in Settings, your device may not support it. Check your Chromebook's support page to confirm which features your model includes.

Enabling Google Assistant on Windows computers

Windows computers do not have Google Assistant built in. You need to download the Google Home app from the Microsoft Store. Click the Start menu, type "Microsoft Store," and open it. Search for "Google Home," then click Get to download and install it.

Once installed, open the Google Home app and sign in with your Google account. The app will guide you through setup. You can then use Google Assistant by typing in the search box or clicking the microphone icon to speak. Some Windows computers with Google Assistant hardware integration may have additional voice activation options, but the app is the standard way to access it.

If you use Google Chrome as your browser, you can also access a limited version of Google Assistant by clicking the microphone icon in the search bar on Google's homepage. This does not give you all the features of the full app, but it lets you search and ask questions without downloading anything extra.

Enabling Google Assistant on Mac computers

Mac computers do not have Google Assistant built in. Download the Google Home app from the Mac App Store. Click the Apple menu, then App Store, search for "Google Home," and click Get. Once it downloads, click Open to launch it.

Sign in with your Google account and follow the setup steps. After that, you can use Google Assistant by typing or speaking into the app. Like Windows, you can also use the microphone icon in Google's search bar in Chrome if you do not want to download the full app.

Some Mac users prefer to use Google Assistant through their iPhone or iPad instead, since those devices integrate more smoothly with Apple's ecosystem. You can use the same Google app method described in the iPhone section above.

Troubleshooting when Google Assistant will not turn on

If Google Assistant does not open when you press the home button or say "Hey Google," first check that your device is connected to the internet. Google Assistant needs an active Wi-Fi or mobile data connection to work. Restart your phone or computer and try again.

On Android, go to Settings, then Apps, then Google, and tap Storage, then Clear Cache. This removes temporary files that might be causing problems. Do not tap Clear Data, as that will erase your Google Assistant settings.

If you are still having trouble, uninstall any recent updates to the Google app. Go to Settings, then Apps, then Google, tap the three dots in the top right, then Uninstall Updates. Wait a few minutes, then go to the Play Store and reinstall the latest version.

On iPhones, make sure you have granted the Google app permission to access your microphone. Go to Settings, then Privacy, then Microphone, and toggle on Google. If the app still does not work, delete it from your phone and download it again from the App Store.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Google Assistant without saying "Hey Google"?

Yes. On Android, you can hold the home button instead. On iPhones, tap the microphone icon in the Google app. On Chromebooks, press the search key. On computers, open the Google Home app and type or click the microphone. Voice activation is optional on all devices.

Does Google Assistant work offline?

No. Google Assistant needs an internet connection to understand your questions and provide answers. It cannot work on Wi-Fi or mobile data that is not connected to the internet. Some basic functions like setting alarms may work offline on Android, but most features require a live connection.

Is Google Assistant the same as Google Search?

No. Google Search is a search engine that finds web pages. Google Assistant is a tool that answers questions, controls devices, and completes tasks. You can use Google Assistant to search, but it does more than that. Google Search does not control smart home devices or set reminders the way Google Assistant does.

Can I turn off Google Assistant if I do not want to use it?

Yes. On Android, go to Settings, then Apps, then Google, then Permissions, and turn off Microphone. On iPhones, delete the Google app. On Chromebooks and computers, you can disable voice activation in Settings or simply not use the app. Turning it off does not break your device.

What information does Google Assistant collect when I use it?

Google Assistant records your voice commands and stores them in your Google account history. You can view and delete this history by going to myactivity.google.com. You can also turn off voice recording in Google Assistant settings, though some features may not work as well without it.