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06 Numbers and Powers

How to Deactivate Google Assistant

Card No. 06·69740 · Updated · Standard formula, shown below

This guide walks you through turning off Google Assistant on Android phones and tablets, as well as on Google Home and Nest speakers and displays. You’ll learn how to disable the voice match, turn off the assistant entirely, and what to do if it keeps popping up.

What You’ll Need

  • Your Android device or Google Home/Nest device
  • Access to the Google app or Google Home app
  • Your Google account login (if you want to fully disable it across devices)

Step-by-Step

On Android Phones and Tablets

  1. Open the Google app (the one with the “G” icon). If you can’t find it, swipe up to open your app drawer and look for it.
  2. Tap your profile picture in the top-right corner.
  3. Tap Settings.
  4. Tap Google Assistant.
  5. Under the “All settings” section, tap General.
  6. Toggle off Google Assistant. This turns off the assistant completely on this device. You can toggle it back on later if you change your mind.

If you only want to stop the “Hey Google” voice activation but still use the assistant manually:

  1. In the same Google Assistant settings, tap Hey Google & Voice Match.
  2. Toggle off Hey Google. This stops the device from responding to the hotword.
  3. Optionally, tap Voice Match and toggle off Unlock with Voice Match if you don’t want it to unlock your phone with your voice.

On Google Home / Nest Speakers and Displays

  1. Open the Google Home app on your phone or tablet.
  2. Tap the device icon (or the Devices tab) at the top.
  3. Find the speaker or display you want to change, and tap on it.
  4. Tap the gear icon (Settings) in the top-right.
  5. Tap Recognition and sharing.
  6. Tap Hey Google.
  7. Toggle off Hey Google. This disables the voice trigger on that device.

To completely disable the assistant on a Google Home device (so it doesn’t respond to any voice commands):

  1. In the same device settings, scroll down and tap Google Assistant.
  2. Toggle off Google Assistant. This turns off all assistant functionality on that device.

Common Mistakes

  • Only turning off Voice Match: This stops the “Hey Google” trigger, but the assistant can still be activated by long-pressing the home button or squeezing the sides (on Pixel). If you want it fully off, use the General toggle.
  • Forgetting other devices: Turning off the assistant on your phone doesn’t turn it off on your smart speaker. You need to do it per device.
  • Not restarting after changes: Sometimes the assistant stays in memory. A quick restart of your phone or speaker can help.
  • Confusing the Google app with the Assistant: The Google app itself (search, feed) is separate from the Assistant. Turning off the Assistant doesn’t remove the Google app.

Tips

  • If you only want to stop the microphone from listening, you can simply say “Hey Google, turn off the microphone” on a speaker, but that only mutes it temporarily.
  • On Android, you can also disable the Assistant by going to Settings > Apps > Google > Disable. This is more drastic and may affect other Google features, so use it as a last resort.
  • If you use a Pixel phone, you can squeeze the sides to summon the Assistant. To turn that off, go to Settings > System > Gestures > Squeeze and toggle off.
  • For a quick temporary mute on a Google Home, press the physical mute button on the back. This turns off the mic but not the assistant itself.

Troubleshooting

  • Assistant still responds after turning off: Make sure you toggled off the correct setting. On phones, the “General” toggle is the master switch. On speakers, you need to turn off both “Hey Google” and “Google Assistant” if you want it fully off.
  • Can’t find the settings: The menu path may vary slightly depending on your Android version and manufacturer. Try searching in the Google app’s settings for “Assistant” or “Voice Match”.
  • Assistant keeps re-enabling after an update: Some system updates reset your preferences. After a major update, check the settings again and re-toggle if needed.
  • Voice Match is greyed out: This can happen if you haven’t set up Voice Match initially, or if the device doesn’t support it. You can still turn off the Assistant via the General toggle.
  • Google Home device still responds: Make sure you’re editing the correct device in the Home app. If you have multiple homes, check that you’re in the right one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will turning off Google Assistant delete my data?

No, it only disables the assistant. Your search history, voice recordings, and other data remain in your Google account. You can delete them separately in Google Activity controls.

Can I turn it back on later?

Yes, just follow the same steps and toggle the settings back on. Your voice model and preferences are usually retained.

Does this affect Google search or the Google app?

No, the Google app and search function normally. Only the assistant features are disabled.

Will turning off the Assistant on my phone also turn it off on my smart speaker?

No, each device is controlled separately. You need to disable it on each device individually.

Can I still use Google Assistant hands-free after turning off “Hey Google”?

No, if you turn off the hotword, you’ll need to manually activate it (e.g., by long-pressing the home button) unless you also disable the assistant entirely.

Does disabling the Assistant improve battery life?

It can help slightly, as the assistant no longer listens for the hotword, which uses some battery. The impact is usually minor on modern devices.

Related

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