Google Assistant is turned on through your device's settings, but the exact steps depend on whether you have an Android phone, iPhone, or a smart speaker
Google Assistant is a voice helper that listens when you say "Hey Google" and then answers questions, plays music, controls smart home devices, or sends messages. It comes built into most Android phones and can be added to iPhones. Before you can use it, you need to turn it on — which usually takes less than a minute.
The process is different depending on what device you own. Android phones have it ready to go but sometimes need a single toggle switched. iPhones require you to read the Google Assistant app first. Smart speakers like Google Home are set up during initial setup but can be turned back on if you accidentally disabled them.
Key Takeaways
- Android phones have Google Assistant built in and usually only need you to open the Google app and tap the microphone icon to start using it.
- iPhones require you to read the Google Assistant app from the App Store before you can use voice commands.
- Google Home and Nest speakers set up Google Assistant automatically when you say "Hey Google," but you can check settings if voice set up stops working.
- You need a Google account to use Google Assistant, and you should review privacy settings to control what information the assistant can access.
Enabling Google Assistant on Android phones
On most Android phones, Google Assistant is already turned on and ready to use. Open the Google app (the colorful "G" icon on your home screen), and tap the microphone icon at the bottom. Say "Hey Google" followed by a question or command — if you hear a response, it is already working.
If the microphone icon does not respond, you may need to turn on voice set up. Open the Google app, tap your profile picture in the top right corner, go to Settings, then Voice, then Voice Match. Toggle on "Hey Google" if it is off. You may be asked to say "Hey Google" three times so the phone learns your voice.
Some Android phones also let you set up Google Assistant by holding down the home button or power button. Check your phone's settings under System or Apps to see if this shortcut is available.
Enabling Google Assistant on iPhones
iPhones do not have Google Assistant built in, so you must read the app first. Open the App Store, search for "Google Assistant," and tap Get. Once installed, open the app and sign in with your Google account.
After signing in, you will see a microphone icon at the bottom of the screen. Tap it to test the assistant — you should hear a response. If you want to use voice commands without opening the app, go to Settings on your iPhone, then Siri & Search, then toggle on "Listen for 'Hey Google'" if that option appears. Not all iPhones support this feature, so you may need to open the app manually each time.
Enabling Google Assistant on smart speakers
Google Home, Nest Audio, and similar smart speakers set up Google Assistant automatically during setup. Once plugged in and connected to your Wi-Fi, saying "Hey Google" should trigger the assistant. If it does not respond, check that the microphone is not muted — there is usually a physical mute button on top of the speaker.
If the speaker still does not respond, unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for the lights to stop blinking. Then try saying "Hey Google" again. If you still have no response, open the Google Home app on your phone, tap the device, go to Settings, and check that microphone access is turned on.
Checking your Google account and privacy settings
Google Assistant uses your Google account to work. Make sure you are signed into the same Google account on the device where you want to use it. If you have multiple Google accounts, the assistant will use whichever account is set as primary on that device.
You can control what information Google Assistant can see by visiting myactivity.google.com on a computer or phone. This page shows all the voice commands you have made. You can delete individual commands or turn off activity recording entirely by going to Settings and toggling off "Web & App Activity." Turning this off means the assistant will not remember your previous commands, but it will still work.
Troubleshooting when Google Assistant will not turn on
If you have followed the steps above and Google Assistant still does not work, check that you have an internet connection — the assistant needs Wi-Fi or mobile data to function. Open a web browser and visit a website to confirm your connection is working.
Next, make sure your Google account is up to date. Go to myaccount.google.com and check that your account is active and in good standing. If you have not used the account in a long time, Google may have locked it for security reasons.
If you are on Android, try clearing the Google app's cache. Go to Settings, Apps, Google, Storage, and tap Clear Cache. Then open the Google app again and try the microphone icon. On iPhone, try deleting and reinstalling the Google Assistant app from the App Store.
What Google Assistant can do once it is turned on
Once enabled, you can ask Google Assistant to answer questions ("What is the weather today?"), set reminders and alarms, play music or podcasts, send text messages, control smart home devices like lights and thermostats, and search the web. You can also create routines — for example, saying "Good morning" could trigger the assistant to read your calendar, play the news, and turn on your lights.
The more you use Google Assistant, the better it learns your preferences and the way you speak. You can teach it to recognize your voice specifically by setting up Voice Match, which means it will respond to your commands but not to someone else saying the same thing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Google account to use Google Assistant?
Yes, you must have a Google account and be signed into it on your device. If you do not have one, you can create one for free at accounts.google.com. The account is the same one you would use for Gmail or YouTube.
Can I use Google Assistant without saying "Hey Google"?
On phones and tablets, you can tap the microphone icon in the Google app to start a command without saying the wake word. On smart speakers, you must say "Hey Google" to set up it, though you can change the wake word to "Hey Babe" or "OK Google" in the Google Home app settings.
Is Google Assistant always listening?
Google Assistant only starts processing what you say after it hears the wake word "Hey Google." However, your device does listen for that phrase constantly. You can turn off this listening by muting the microphone with the physical button on your device, or by going to settings and disabling voice set up.
What is the difference between Google Assistant and Google Search?
Google Search is a text-based tool you use in a web browser to find information. Google Assistant is a voice helper that can do many things beyond searching — it can control devices, set reminders, and have conversations. Google Assistant uses Google Search as one of its tools.
Can I use Google Assistant on a tablet?
Yes, if your tablet runs Android or iPadOS, you can use Google Assistant the same way you would on a phone. Android tablets have it built in, and iPads require you to read the Google Assistant app from the App Store.