After nearly a decade of service, Google has announced that its Google Assistant will be phased out in 2025, making way for its new AI platform, Gemini. Launched in 2016, Google Assistant has been a cornerstone of Android devices, but the company now plans to shift its focus to generative AI, which it believes will revolutionize the way we interact with technology. Gemini will gradually replace the Assistant, starting in 2025, with users receiving specific updates ahead of the transition.
In the coming months, Android users will be prompted to upgrade to Gemini, although devices running Android 9 or earlier, as well as those with less than 2 GB of RAM, will continue to use the classic Assistant experience. For newer Android phones, including models from Pixel, Samsung, OnePlus, and Motorola, Gemini is already set as the default assistant. Google has stated that millions of users have already switched to Gemini.
The company revealed that it plans to upgrade more mobile users to Gemini over the coming months. By the end of this year, the classic Google Assistant will no longer be available on most mobile devices, nor will it be downloadable from app stores. As part of this transition, Google aims to expand Gemini’s capabilities, incorporating features such as Astra-powered video and screen-sharing, which are expected to roll out this month.
Gemini is designed to be a more personal and interactive assistant, capable of understanding the world around its users and integrating seamlessly with existing apps and services. Google has stated that it envisions Gemini making users more productive, creative, and curious.
Beyond mobile devices, Google will also introduce the Gemini experience to a wide range of products, including tablets, cars, and devices that connect to phones, such as headphones and watches. Additionally, the company plans to bring Gemini-powered smart experiences to home devices like speakers, displays, and televisions.
While the shift to Gemini will be happening over the next year, Google Assistant will remain available on existing devices for the time being. This move to a new AI assistant aligns with Google’s broader plans to integrate advanced AI models, such as Gemini Robotics, into future technologies. These models, developed by Google DeepMind, aim to improve the dexterity, interactivity, and general adaptability of robots, enabling them to perform human-like tasks such as folding paper or unscrewing bottle caps.
As the transition to Gemini progresses, Google is laying the groundwork for an AI-powered future where technology becomes more intuitive and seamlessly integrated into our daily lives.
