How to Turn off Google Assistant on your Android Device

Hey Google, Let’s take a break! Google Assistant is my go-to app for various tasks. From reading and replying to my messages to set up reminders for me, I use it every now and then. But with the Assistant App getting access to your personal conversations, it is never a good idea to keep it turned on. Moreover, recently I went to a gathering where someone was constantly using the Assistant App. Being in close proximity to him, every time he said OK Google, the Assistant app got invoked in my device as well. It was at this time that I decided to disable or turn off the Google Assistant app from my device. To do so on your Android device, follow the below steps. Also, don’t forget to check out 12 cool Google Assistant tips and tricks.

Steps to Turn off Google Assistant on Android

1. First of all, head over to the Google Assistant’s settings section. There are two ways of doing so:
   • If you have set up the Assistant app with the Voice match, you could directly invoke it by saying OK Google or Hey Google.
     
     1. Then tap on the bottom right icon Explore icon. Under the said section, tap on your profile present at the top right.
     2. Select Settings and then go to the Assistant tab.
   • There is another method of reaching the Assistant tab if you haven’t set up Google Assistant via Voice. To do so:
     
     1. Open the Google App and tap on More.
     2. Then tap on Settings > Google Assistant > Assistant.
2. Scroll down to the Assistant devices section and tap Phone.
   
3. Finally, toggle off the Google Assistant switch. This will disable/turn off the Google Assistant app from your device.

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Limit the App’s Functionality

Given above were the steps to completely turn off Google Assistant on your device. However, rather than disabling it altogether, you could even limit it’s functionality as well. This might be beneficial in certain situations when you cannot use your device but still want the things to do be done.

For example, while driving, I always ask the Assistant app to play songs, read the news or provide me a route to a certain destination. Therefore in these cases, it is better to limit its functionality rather than completely turning it off. To do so, follow the below steps.

1. Head over to the Assistant tab as mentioned before.
2. Select the Phone option under Assistant devices. Now under Voice Match, turn off the Access with Voice Match option. This won’t turn off the Google Assistant feature in Google Maps and Android Auto.

On the other hand, if you are skeptical that Assistant may be listening to your personal conversations, you should consider changing the input mode.

1. The option to do so is, again, present in the Phone section of Assistant devices.
2. Head over to Voice and speech and tap on Preferred input.
3. Select Keyboard from the menu. Now you will have to type in every time you wish to give a command to the Assistant app.

With this, we conclude the guide on how to disable the Assistant app or limit its functionality. Do let us know if you face any issues while executing the above steps.

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