The switch from Google Assistant to Gemini on Android devices has been pushed back to next year

1. Phones
2. Android

The switch from Google Assistant to Gemini on Android devices has been pushed back to next year News By David Nield published 20 December 2025

A bit longer to wait

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Gemini's reach is extending (Image credit: Shutterstock/Tada Images) Share Share by:

• Copy link
• Facebook
• X
• Whatsapp
• Reddit
• Pinterest
• Flipboard
• Threads

Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google

• Gemini will take longer to reach all Android devices
• After that, Google Assistant will stop working
• No specific deadline in 2026 has been mentioned

You may remember that back in March, Google declared that its shiny new Gemini AI app would be taking over from Google Assistant on Android devices by the end of 2025. In a new update, Google now says the process will continue into 2026.

The latest announcement (via 9to5Google) explains that the previous timeline is going to be adjusted so that "a seamless transition" between the old AI and the new AI can be ensured, and that more details will be shared in the coming months.

There's no fixed deadline date to the extension, all that we know is the work will continue "into 2026". We don't get any mention of specific devices that are still waiting for the transition, or of any particular bugs that need to be sorted.

You may like

• Google explains the Gemini Home rollout 'confusion' – and reveals when to expect a full launch
• Google Gemini is now rolling out on Android Auto – here are the upgrades you get
• Gemini is coming to every Google smart home device from the last decade – here's how to get early access

Of course on newer devices such as the Google Pixel 10 there's only Gemini, and no sign of Google Assistant, but on lots of older devices you can still run both of these AI apps and switch between them for different tasks.

Technical challenges

Smart home devices are being switched over too (Image credit: Google)

When the switch is finally completed next year, Google Assistant will stop working on all Android phones and tablets, and it will no longer be available to download. From that point on, it'll have to be Google Assistant for everyone.

This is a process that's happening across all other devices and platforms too, as you might have noticed. It looks very much like Gemini will be the default assistant for everyone on Android Auto by March 2026, for example.

Google is also busy switching over all of its smart home devices to Gemini, with gadgets going back 10 years eligible for the swap. This isn't going quite as smoothly as Google would like, a sign of just how technically challenging all of this is.

Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox

Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

The difficulties Google has been having with smart home devices has perhaps contributed to the delay on Android too. If you're still using Google Assistant on an Android phone or tablet, you'll be able to continue doing so for a little longer.

Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

And of course you can also follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp too.

Today's best Android dealsSamsung Galaxy S25 FE SG$735ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices TOPICS Google AI David NieldSocial Links NavigationFreelance Contributor

Dave is a freelance tech journalist who has been writing about gadgets, apps and the web for more than two decades. Based out of Stockport, England, on TechRadar you'll find him covering news, features and reviews, particularly for phones, tablets and wearables. Working to ensure our breaking news coverage is the best in the business over weekends, David also has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci and a few other places besides, as well as being many years editing the likes of PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook.

Show More Comments

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Logout Read more Google explains the Gemini Home rollout 'confusion' – and reveals when to expect a full launch    Google Gemini is now rolling out on Android Auto – here are the upgrades you get    Gemini is coming to every Google smart home device from the last decade – here's how to get early access    Google Maps is getting a big Gemini upgrade for drivers – here are 4 new features coming soon    Google Home app gets surprise early AI upgrade for a lucky few, and I'm jealous    Google Gemini Live gets its 'biggest update ever' with 5 new upgrades – here's how to try them    Latest in Android Android 16 gets early access to 163 new emojis that'll soon be everywhere    Motion Cues for Android is edging closer to a launch, with a new change    This new Android phone is designed for everyone who misses the Xperia Play and N-Gage    Android just got a life-saving upgrade that lets you share live video with emergency rescuers – here's how it works    Should I abandon my iPhone for a return to Android? Tell me what to do    New AirTag rivals from Xiaomi and Motorola are rumored to be on the way    Latest in News The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is rumored to use the Exynos 2600 processor    The Android switch from Google Assistant to Gemini will take longer    'This is good news for us' – iRobot CEO on how the Picea takeover presents a bright new future    ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from Texas accusing your TV of spying on you to iRobot finding a buyer    DDR5 RAM with a triple-fan cooler on top will be shown off at CES 2026    This new music player is like a hi-res iPod nano, and it's amazingly cheap    LATEST ARTICLES

1. 1I compiled a list of 167 hard disk drives worth buying - here are six things I found out
2. 2Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, December 21 (game #1427)
3. 3NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, December 21 (game #924)
4. 4NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, December 21 (game #658)
5. 5Resident Evil Requiem could claim the top spot as the best in the franchise