Say goodbye to Google Assistant. According to various reports, Google is removing the option to choose between Gemini and Google Assistant in the Gemini app on devices in the US and Europe.
Switch to Google Assistant no longer available
This option is missing from Google app 17.60 stable and 17.62 beta. | Images by 9to5Google
Our colleagues at 9to5Google have confirmed that the "Switch to Google Assistant" option is now gone on devices in the US and Europe. The option has been removed from the bottom of the account menu with Google app 17.60 stable and 17.62 beta.
This means phones and tablets updated to this version of the Google app no longer support Google Assistant as a Gemini alternative. The change also affects paired devices, more specifically Wear OS smartwatches, headphones and earbuds, and Android Auto.
There are, however, devices that still run Google Assistant.
Google Assistant still works on these devices
Google Assistant is still available on some devices. | Image by Google
If you feel nostalgic and don't want to say goodbye to Google Assistant just yet, there are some devices that are still running Google's old smart assistant. These include Google Nest, Google Home, and other Google Assistant-based smart displays and speakers.
Expect those devices to switch to Gemini in the near future, though, so spend some quality time with Google Assistant while you can, as it's going away for good.
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Will you miss Google Assistant, or do you think Gemini is the way forward?
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The change has been on the table for some time
Google announced its plan to deprecate the old Assistant back in 2025. The start of this deprecation was set to begin in late 2025, but was subsequently extended to 2026. The final timeline was announced this August, and the actual switch began at the start of September.
The Android Auto switch to Gemini has been happening for some time now, and people are not happy with the change.
People are not happy with Gemini
People have been furious with Gemini on Android Auto. | Image by Google
At the end of August, Google started rolling out Gemini for Android Auto, and Reddit was flooded with angry threads and comments. People find Gemini distracting and sometimes outright useless, but there's no turning back now.
Some drivers even went so far as to suggest that the switch to Gemini will increase traffic accidents. Others just wanted to keep the simpler and less chatty Google Assistant in their cars, instead of dealing with Gemini.
What do you think about all this? Will you miss Google Assistant, or do you think Gemini is the way forward?
Read more news about Google Assistant and Gemini here:
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Mariyan, a tech enthusiast with a background in Nuclear Physics and Journalism, brings a unique perspective to PhoneArena. His childhood curiosity for gadgets evolved into a professional passion for technology, leading him to the role of Editor-in-Chief at PCWorld Bulgaria before joining PhoneArena. Mariyan's interests range from mainstream Android and iPhone debates to fringe technologies like graphene batteries and nanotechnology. Off-duty, he enjoys playing his electric guitar, practicing Japanese, and revisiting his love for video games and Haruki Murakami's works.
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