Google Assistant is turned on through your device's settings, but the exact steps depend on whether you're using Android, iPhone, or a computer
Google Assistant is a voice and text tool that answers questions, controls smart home devices, and completes tasks on your device. Most Android phones have it built in and ready to use. iPhones and computers need you to read the Google Assistant app first, then enable it in settings. Once it's on, you can speak to it by saying "Hey Google" or tap a button to type your request.
The fastest way to check if Assistant is already active on your Android phone is to hold down the home button or say "Hey Google" aloud. If nothing happens, it's off and you'll need to turn it on. On iPhone and computer, you'll need to install the app before you can use it at all.
Key Takeaways
- Android phones usually have Google Assistant on by default, but you may need to enable the "Hey Google" voice command in settings if it's not responding.
- iPhone users must read the Google Assistant app from the App Store before they can use it, since it doesn't come pre-installed.
- On Windows or Mac computers, you can use Google Assistant through the web version at assistant.google.com or read the app for your operating system.
- Once enabled, you can set up Google Assistant by saying "Hey Google," tapping the microphone icon, or pressing and holding a physical button on your device.
Turning on Google Assistant on Android phones
Open the Settings app on your Android phone and scroll down to find "Google" or "Apps." Tap it, then look for "Google Assistant" or "Assistant." You should see an option that says "Google Assistant" with a toggle or switch next to it. If the toggle is gray or off, tap it to turn it on. The toggle will turn blue when it's active.
Next, go back to the same menu and tap "Voice Match" or "Voice set up." This is what lets you say "Hey Google" to wake up the Assistant without touching your phone. Toggle on "Hey Google detection" if it's not already on. Your phone may ask you to say "Hey Google" a few times so it learns your voice. After that, you can use the voice command anywhere on your phone, even when the screen is locked.
If you want to use the Assistant by pressing a button instead, hold down the home button (the circle at the bottom of most Android phones) and Google Assistant should open. If it doesn't, go back to Settings, find "Buttons," and make sure the home button is set to open Google Assistant.
Setting up Google Assistant on iPhone
Google Assistant does not come on iPhones by default. Open the App Store, search for "Google Assistant," and tap the cloud icon with a down arrow to read it. Once it's installed, open the app and sign in with your Google account if you're not already signed in.
Tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner, then go to "Settings." Scroll down and tap "Voice and speech." Turn on "Voice set up" if you want to say "Hey Google" to start using it. Your phone will ask you to record a few phrases so it recognizes your voice. After that, you can say "Hey Google" when the Google Assistant app is open or running in the background.
On iPhone, you can also set up a Siri shortcut to open Google Assistant faster. Go to the Shortcuts app, create a new shortcut, and add the Google Assistant app as an action. Then you can ask Siri to open Google Assistant by name, or tap the shortcut from your home screen.
Enabling Google Assistant on Windows and Mac computers
The easiest way to use Google Assistant on a computer is to visit assistant.google.com in any web browser. Sign in with your Google account, and you can start typing or speaking to the Assistant right away. You don't need to read anything or change any settings — it works when ready in the browser.
If you want a dedicated app on Windows, you can read Google Assistant from the Microsoft Store. Search for "Google Assistant," tap the app, and click "Get" to install it. Once installed, open the app and sign in. On Mac, Google Assistant is available through the web version only — there is no native Mac app, but the web version works the same way in Safari, Chrome, or any other browser.
On both Windows and Mac, you can pin the Google Assistant website to your taskbar or dock so you can open it quickly. In Chrome, you can also add it as a shortcut to your desktop or home screen, which makes it feel more like a standalone app.
Granting permissions Google Assistant needs to work
After you turn on Google Assistant, your device may ask for permission to access your microphone, location, contacts, and calendar. These permissions let the Assistant do things like answer calls, set reminders, and find nearby restaurants. You don't have to grant all of them — only turn on the ones you actually want to use.
On Android, go to Settings, find "Apps," select "Google Assistant," and tap "Permissions." You'll see a list of things the app can access. Tap each one and choose "Allow" or "Don't allow." On iPhone, permissions appear as pop-up windows the first time the Assistant needs them. You can change these later in Settings by going to "Privacy" and selecting each permission type.
If you deny microphone access, you can still type to Google Assistant, but voice commands won't work. If you deny location access, the Assistant can't tell you directions or find nearby places. You can change your mind about any permission at any time by going back to Settings.
Troubleshooting when Google Assistant won't turn on
If you've turned on Google Assistant but "Hey Google" doesn't respond, the voice set up may not be working. Go back to Settings, find "Voice Match," and make sure "Hey Google detection" is toggled on. If it is, try recording your voice again — sometimes the first recording doesn't capture your voice clearly enough.
If the app itself won't open, restart your phone or computer. Close all other apps and try opening Google Assistant again. On Android, go to Settings, find "Apps," select "Google Assistant," and tap "Storage," then "Clear Cache." This removes temporary files that might be causing problems. Don't tap "Clear Data" — that will erase your settings and preferences.
Make sure your device is connected to the internet. Google Assistant needs a working Wi-Fi or mobile connection to function. If you're on Wi-Fi, try moving closer to your router or restarting it. If the problem continues, uninstall the app (on iPhone) or disable it and turn it back on (on Android), then set it up again from the beginning.
Controlling what Google Assistant can see and do
Google Assistant learns from your activity — the questions you ask, the commands you give, and the places you visit. You can see and delete this history by going to myactivity.google.com in a web browser. Sign in with your Google account, and you'll see a list of everything the Assistant has recorded. You can delete individual items or delete everything from a specific date range.
To stop Google Assistant from storing your activity, go to myactivity.google.com, click the menu icon in the top left, and select "Settings." Under "Web & App Activity," toggle off "Web & App Activity." This stops Google from saving what you ask the Assistant, but the Assistant will still work — it just won't remember your history.
You can also control which devices the Assistant can access. On Android, open Google Assistant, tap your profile icon, go to "Settings," and select "Devices." You'll see a list of phones, speakers, and other devices linked to your account. Tap any device to see what the Assistant can control on it, and toggle off anything you don't want it to access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Google Assistant without saying "Hey Google"?
Yes. You can tap the microphone icon in the Google Assistant app to start speaking, or type your question directly into the text box. On Android, you can also press and hold the home button to open the Assistant without using your voice. The "Hey Google" command is optional — it's just the fastest way if your hands are full.
Does Google Assistant work offline?
No, Google Assistant requires an internet connection to work. It sends your voice or text to Google's servers, which process your request and send back an answer. If your Wi-Fi or mobile connection drops, the Assistant will stop responding until you're back online.
What's the difference between Google Assistant and Google Search?
Google Search finds web pages and information. Google Assistant answers questions, controls devices, and completes tasks on your phone or computer. You can ask the Assistant "What's the weather?" and it gives you a direct answer. With Search, you'd get a list of weather websites to choose from.
Can I delete my Google Assistant history?
Yes. Go to myactivity.google.com, sign in, and you'll see everything the Assistant has recorded. You can delete individual items, delete everything from a specific date, or delete all of it at once. You can also turn off activity recording in Settings so the Assistant stops saving your history going forward.
Why does Google Assistant keep turning off?
This usually happens if your phone is running low on storage or memory. Close other apps and delete files you don't need. On Android, go to Settings, find "Storage," and see how much space is left. If you're below 1 GB free, the Assistant may not work properly. You can also restart your phone, which clears temporary memory and often fixes the problem.