Android users find a way to restore Google Assistant for now

A Reddit user found a way to bring back Google Assistant on Android phones after Google removed it from actively updated devices.

The method involves uninstalling updates to the Google app, then opening the Google Assistant app to switch back from Gemini.

Users may also need to turn off automatic updates for the Google app to keep the change.

The workaround can restore Assistant as the default digital assistant, including for a phone’s side key.

Its voice commands may not work: one user said “Hey Google” and “Okay Google” failed to activate it.

Google Assistant’s servers are still running, even though the service was officially shut down last month for actively updated Android devices.

Some users prefer Assistant for tasks they feel Gemini handles less well, but the workaround may not last.

It will stop working if Google shuts down the servers, and the company has not said what happens next.