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"Ok Google, I've had enough": How to turn off Google Assistant

Google Assistant NextPit
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Just as how Google Assistant can be a great tool when used the right way, it can also be annoying because of the "Ok, Google" command activation errors. You may also want to learn how to disable Google Assistant if you happen to be privacy-conscious and don't really want your phone continuously listening to the things you say. In this article, you'll find out how to get rid of Google Assistant in a few simple steps.


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Why does the Google Assistant launch by itself?

Voice assistants use a feature known as "hotword" to function, in which a particular keyword acts as a trigger to activate an action. In the case of Google Assistant, hotwords include commands like "Hey, Google" and "Ok, Google." Other companies such as Apple, Amazon and Samsung also use this feature in their respective voice assistants: Siri, Alexa, and Bixby.

However, this system has its fair share of flaws, ending up being activated by "false accepts", that is, having the software recognize what humans said as being the "hotword" resulting in activating the service. And that's why the Google Assistant can launch by itself on your smartphone once too often.

The issue became so relevant to the privacy of users that false accepts in Google Assistant have already become the subject of a lawsuit in the US.

Another reason may be related to the dedicated button or gesture activation that has been set up on your smartphone to launch Google Assistant. By remapping this button on your smartphone or disabling gesture activation, you can also prevent Google Assistant from launching by accident.

If something like this has happened to you too and you’re sick of Google Assistant, it’s time to turn the feature off. There are many options to go about this. Let's explore a few.

How to turn off Google Assistant on your smartphone

That said, the first thing that you need to know about Google Assistant is that this service cannot simply be uninstalled. So, you'll need to disable the feature on your smartphone. Thus, you will need to access the system settings to stop using the voice assistant. I'll show you how to do just that below.

Turning off Google Assistant:

  1. Launch the Google app on your smartphone.
  2. Click on your profile image (at the top of the screen).
  3. Select Settings.
  4. Select Google Assistant.
  5. Navigate to the General option.
  6. Disable the Google Assistant option by tapping on the slider button.
    1. Once this is done, a pop-up will appear warning you about the features that will not work when you disable Google Assistant on your mobile device. It is also here that you can delete your search history on Assistant (recommended if you usually save your voice searches).
  7. Click Turn Off.
Turn off google assistant smartphone
Step-by-step procedure to disable Google Assistant on your smartphone / © NextPit

How to disable/silence the "Ok Google" command on your smartphone

If instead of turning off Google Assistant, you might simply want to prevent the service from activating by itself, I would recommend disabling the "Ok, Google"/"Hey Google" command on your smartphone. This way, you can continue using Google Assistant but ensuring it is triggered without your consent. In order to do this, check out the step-by-step instructions below.

  • Open Settings > Google > Setting for Google Apps.
  • Select Search, Assistant & Voice.
  • Select Voice.
  • Navigate to the Hey Google section and select Voice Match.
  • Disable the Hey Google option.
Voice Match GA
This is how you disable the Google Assistant from accidentally turning itself on / © NextPit

By doing this, you will still be able to voice enable Google Assistant in driving apps like Google Maps and Android Auto. However, if your intention is to turn off voice commands completely, click on Driving Setup, link available in the pop-up window, and disable the While Driving option.

And you're done! Google Assistant will not accidentally activate from voice commands from now on.

How to disable the activation button or activation gesture of Google Assistant

On selected Android smartphones, there is a dedicated button to activate Google Assistant. In other cases, this shortcut can be configured using on-screen gestures. Often, these dedicated gestures or buttons unintentionally activate the digital assistant on the smartphone.

However, there is an option in the system settings that allows you to remove such a function or, in the case of Android 12, will allow you to remap the quick access method to the voice assistant. Below, you can check out the most practical solution to prevent Google from listening to your conversations by activating the feature as a result of an accidental touch on your smartphone:

  • Launch Settings > Apps > Default apps.
  • Select Digital assist app.
  • Click on Default digital assistant app.
  • Select None.
Disable Google Assistant
Removing Google Assistant from the default apps is the least radical option / © NextPit

This way, you can continue using Google Assistant on your smartphone from the Google app or search box on your device's home screen. However, it prevents the service from being triggered unintentionally.

How to disable/silence Google Assistant on Google Home devices

If you are heavily invested into the Android platform, chances are you already own a Google Home smart speaker or another Google home smart device. While most of these devices are heavily dependent on Google Assistant, Google still offers users the option to disable "Hey Google" commands on these devices. 

Prevent Google Home devices from actively listening for "Hey Google" or "Ok Google"

The simplest way to ensure that your Google Home devices are not actively listening to your conversations is to engage the dedicated mute button that most of these devices come with. This action effectively disables Google Assistant features for that particular device.

androidpit google nest hub privacy switch
Turning off the microphone on Google Home devices is a simple way to disable Google Assistant / © NextPit

To turn on Google Assistant for these individual devices, all you need to do is to flick back the 'mute' button to the on position. This feature lets you individually manage these devices and you do not need to turn off Google Assistant for the entire account.

Well, that pretty much sums up our article on how to turn off Google Assistant. What do you think of this tutorial? Did you choose to turn off Google Assistant or just limit the voice activation feature in the service? Let us know in the comments below.


Guide updated on March 2022 with updated instructions. Existing comments on this page were not removed and may refer to previous versions of this article.

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Go to comment (85)
Camila Rinaldi

Camila Rinaldi
Head of Editorial

With over 10 years of reviewing smartphones and wearables, I recently became addicted to smart home gadgets. Even though I dove into the Apple ecosystem two years back, Android remains as one of my passions. Previously editor-in-chief of AndroidPIT and Canaltech in Brazil, I now write for the US market. I love my records and I believe that the best way to get to know a place is through its food.

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  • 1
    Jack Feb 10, 2023 Link to comment

    One word Google is a virus! I did everything and still its popping up


  • Annette Terry 1
    Annette Terry Jul 9, 2022 Link to comment

    Thank goodness. It's alot more, well, mature than seeing how many times I can call him a "little b***h" before he hysterically tells me he "has feelings too" 🤣
    Ya'll done too! 😅


  • 1
    Melissa Kidd Jun 13, 2022 Link to comment

    I uninstalled assistant and I'm still receiving notifications, anyone know what can make it stop


    • Annette Terry 1
      Annette Terry Jul 9, 2022 Link to comment

      You can't uninstall you have to go in there and turn it off or put him to sleep


  • Timothy Takemoto 2
    Timothy Takemoto Mar 16, 2022 Link to comment

    I am using Android 6.0.1. Assistant steals the home button if I press it twice. So as per this article I went to Settings, Default Apps, Assistant but there is only one option (Google) and no "None". Is there any other wsy to turn off button activated Assistant? Google Assistant is not in the Applications list, so I can't disable it. It upsets me. It has nothing to do with Japan.

    Fortunately I have managed to turn off "Hey Google".

    Geo Smith


    • 49
      storm Jul 4, 2022 Link to comment

      Swype up app will intercept this silliness and you can choose to have it do nothing.

      Geo Smith


  • 27
    Sorin Jan 20, 2022 Link to comment

    Okay Google, I've had enough. I have enough Coffee, please shut Up!


  • 1
    BroncoBuff Dec 19, 2021 Link to comment

    Fourth tutorial In a row telling me first to: "launch the Google app, then click 'More.'" Well I'm sorry professor, but there is no app called "the Google app." I tried several actual Google apps, but none had a "more" option. (And did I mention there is no app called the Google app?)


    • Camila Rinaldi 67
      Camila Rinaldi
      • Admin
      • Staff
      Jan 19, 2022 Link to comment

      Hi BroncoBuff, you can find the Google App in your app drawer, it's the "G" icon app. To access it, you can also swipe left to right in the home screen and open Google Discover. From there, you only need to click on your profile image, so you will find the settings and all the steps mentioned in the article.

      I also added a link to it, maybe it's easier to find it out! Thanks for your commentary!

      Geo Smith


  • 2
    maszek Oct 27, 2021 Link to comment

    I managed to disable google assistant, but what I am looking for is a way to remove the Google screen from my home screen on my device. The one with a search bar at the top, a snapshot icon and my initial.

    Zois Bekios Zannikos


  • Danny Wambugu 1
    Danny Wambugu Sep 20, 2021 Link to comment

    I don't want Google assistant in my phone


    • Geo Smith 4
      Geo Smith Jul 11, 2022 Link to comment

      ME NEITHER, but I am seriously enjoying my Pixel 6. The camera is SICK (a good thing)!

      Camila Rinaldi


  • 49
    storm Aug 5, 2021 Link to comment

    Don't forget to install swipeup utility to intercept the accidental triggers and bypass the reinstall prompt.

    Geo SmithAmaanAnnabelle Iris


    • 2
      Amaan Sep 9, 2021 Link to comment

      Dig this

      Geo Smith


      • Geo Smith 4
        Geo Smith Jul 20, 2022 Link to comment

        I can dig it!


  • Michael Masseri 2
    Michael Masseri Jul 4, 2021 Link to comment

    Now my microphone speech to text is gone! Fuk u Google I hate the dam assistant. I need my home button for other shit. Wtf! Stop forcing us to take shitty updates. Like I want to talk to a dam phone that can't decipher Your F's from S's I'll be there saying the word 20 damn times and not once does it get it right...

    Sarah Lund


    • Geo Smith 4
      Geo Smith Jul 11, 2022 Link to comment

      I feel your pain, Michael. Know this: you're not in China, stuck with a Huawei! Those assistant and updates and monstrous proprietary griefs are NON-STOP. We're a bit lucky in that regard ;)


  • 2
    melinda Mar 26, 2021 Link to comment

    I've turned off Google Assistant but now the phone won't stop interrupting what I'm doing to ask if I want to turn it on. Help!

    Sarah Lund


  • 2
    Butterfree Jan 17, 2021 Link to comment

    Honestly this hasn't solved the issue unfortunately. I have followed this, and still, when I hold my home button on my (android) phone and double click my earphones it still appears. It's deeply frustrating, and is blocking the functionality of my earphones!!
    I dearly hope it is just me being stupid and there is a simple way to stop it from asking "Turn on google assistant!", but even when disabling it as stated here, it continues to fuck me over!

    Sarah Lund


  • 4
    LeahHodges Dec 19, 2020 Link to comment

    Thanks google for you updates


  • 3
    Deborah Jul 21, 2020 Link to comment

    What a nuscence! It kept recording all the private conversations between my wife and I. Then we would here a strange voice asking the most bizzarre and irrelevant questions! Talk about rude and invasive! This goes beyond "BIG BROTHER!! I never turned it on not was never asked if I wanted my life to be recorded a d provided to God knows who! It bad enough you have to give up most of your civil & constitutional rights to add an app to your device and, of course, grant full access to your contacts, photos, e-mails and on and on. Where,why and what reason does anyone all this "gossip" for? Is it political? If people don't agree with a politician's viewpoint, what happens to them. If folks don't care for a particular product, what then? This is not the future, it is now! Who do think has the bankbook to afford to buy all this info? It is not for us l This is an aide to control the masses. Some people may find it to be a treasure in helping get their day in order & on track. Great! Just ask yourself, who else is reading it and should ANYONE know where you are going and why? If you use as a journal or a diary, should the "terms and conditions" of a corporation" take precedence over "The bill of rights", "The Constitution" and every Privacy Law enacted by our lower courts and the Supreme Court! Please, just be very careful and use what God gave you, the brain.

    SorinSarah LundAnnabelle IrisDeactivated Account


    • 2
      Sarah Lund Sep 28, 2021 Link to comment

      Hi. Yes I agree. I'm glad I have aspergers, to be fair, because I find that other people with aspergers aren't all always bothered about technology, as they are more consumed in other things. When did we become such a jaded technology-obssessed world? I suppose it's to do with forced imposing onto the rest of the world, just so that we can all be like Japan or North Korea. I'm not racist. It's just that I'm fed up of the likes of Japan imposing the rest of the world, or forcing the rest of the world to like whatever is next in line in digital technology. Just because they have the latest tech innovations, but what might seem like a good innovation, might still seem pointless to other countries, and countries need to recognize this. So what, if they have the latest technology? More fool them. I wouldn't trust it with my life.

      Sorin


      • Timothy Takemoto 2
        Timothy Takemoto Mar 16, 2022 Link to comment

        Google is American not Japanese.


  • 2
    Kylehobie16 Jul 15, 2020 Link to comment

    I love the Google Assistant for things like setting reminders, timers, websearches and calendar events. But I absolutely can't stand the voice responses and there doesn't seem to be any way to turn that crap off. It's a deal killer for me. For instance, I get up at 4:45AM, and when I turn off the alarm that wakes me up, the Google ass says, "Good morning Kyle. (long pause to make you think it's over) Have a nice day." All at what seems to be full phone volume because you can't control the voice volume. With my wife trying to sleep next to me, this is absolutely unacceptable. Who needs their phone to tell them, "good morning"? That's about as meaningful as my right shoe telling me the beer is good. I picture the Google geniuses sitting in their collaborative space thinking up new ways for the assistant to wedge its way into our lives. All those little shits are single, so they don't care if their dream Andriod wakes them up in the morning. I'm surprised they don't come up with a sexy voice to use. Think, Allyssa Milano saying "Hey sexy nerd, have a fantastic day and may the force be with you sweet cheeks!"

    SorinSarah Lund


    • 2
      Sarah Lund Sep 28, 2021 Link to comment

      Ha ha 😂. I love your comment. Who DOES need some meaningless voice telling them "Good morning!". Our life partners can provide us with much more valuable things than anything from Google ever could. Ha ha. What these technical developers who make these things don't understand is that not all of us are single, and not all of us like monotone robot-like voices. It needs to go and die. Or i will just end up buying a cheap Nokia phone if it means having a more private life again. That Google Assistant voice is bloody irritating. "Hi. How can I help you?". You can't help me. It's over before it even starts asking me. Goodbye Assistant. 🙄 . I really don't give a crap if we're behind other countries, in the way of digital things constantly being updated and modernised. That's just government and their statistics. They will always say stuff like "Britain is slightly behind other more developed countries like Japan", etc. I do not care. I have important stuff to think about. I'm not going to be wasting my time worrying about pointless technology. 😑

      Sorin


      • Timothy Takemoto 2
        Timothy Takemoto Mar 16, 2022 Link to comment

        Why Japan again? Google is an American company.


  • 2
    tequilasoup Jul 2, 2020 Link to comment

    I'm not in any way blind to the convenience of voice commands. In the past I've used Assistant with much better results than Siri or Alexa which are downright annoying. I do, however, have a big problem with the constant tracking and recording our modern devices do in the background. Yes, the manufacturers swear up and down that it's private and in many cases anonymous, but were it so benevolent data mining wouldn't be a billion-dollar industry. So I've chosen to live without the convenience of voice commands. I've even disconnected my Xbox Kinect for the same reason...it's ALWAYS listening.

    Sorinwaqas


  • 2
    Rus Jun 23, 2020 Link to comment

    I think the best thing to do is to disable the Google application and revoke all its permissions.

    Sarah LundMichel Merlin


    • 2
      Sarah Lund Sep 28, 2021 Link to comment

      Yes. I can survive without Google.


  • marco sarli 39
    marco sarli
    • Admin
    May 8, 2020 Link to comment

    Yes! The end of the assistants is here. If there ever was a stupid, annoying and useless feature it was this.

    Sarah LundSorin


    • Robert Lee Gallardo 1
      Robert Lee Gallardo Dec 22, 2021 Link to comment

      amen sister


  • 1
    Bluez May 3, 2020 Link to comment

    Excellent guidance !
    The opening of Google Assistant from the start button has been annoying me, no end for a long time now.
    Tanks a lot.
    PS: thank you for providing pictures to illustrate the steps. My phone is in French, and there’s nothing obvious about matching the French menu words to your English system.


  • 1
    Lcheesman Feb 16, 2020 Link to comment

    Can you disable Google Assistant and still have voice control? My 95-yr old mother is blind and can't see the screen. She depends on the ability to say "Call Doug" and have it dial Doug's number. That's all i need it to do. Any ideas?


  • 1
    Lcheesman Feb 16, 2020 Link to comment

    my 95-yr old blind mother depends on being able to say "Call Doug" and the phone will dial Doug. Right now, the Google Assistant come up and says it needs to find some more information and just sits there doing nothing. How do I go back to what it used to do? This is very frustrating.


  • joheben 3
    joheben Feb 14, 2020 Link to comment

    What is the actual name of the "Google app"?! The app named "Google" is just the normal search bar. There should be a simple Setting to get rid of this Google Super-crap.

    Sarah LundMichel Merlin


  • 1
    TâioânBíhúnTW Feb 1, 2020 Link to comment

    It doesn't work since Google will keep asking you to turn it on and turn on by itself with the message box need to press back to skip and that is really, suck, I use the button to do other things than this useless assistant.


  • 2
    Clair Worsfold Jan 29, 2020 Link to comment

    I was just sitting at my desk, minding my own business, updating data on my computer when a voice from nowhere said, "I'm sorry I'm still a little buggy". This has never happened to me before and it frightened the life out of me. When I looked at my Samsung S9 this exact phrase was typed on the screen with an picture of a ladybird. How did this happen and why?

    Michel Merlinkennethrussell


  • 3
    anotherlittlething Dec 30, 2019 Link to comment

    Whenever I use my headphones, it starts talking thinking im talking to it. I have turned everything off repeatedly, I have disabled everything google related, followed all the steps here and now it nags me constantly with voice, of course, to turn it back on. I am at my wits end. I am trying to uninstall all the updates now and hope that makes a difference. I am planning on a new phone sometime in the next couple months, I was going to go with a pixel 3, I am seriously rethinking that, this thing is intrusive and beyond obnoxious.

    Sarah LundMichel Merlinkennethrussell


    • 4
      lesnow Jan 3, 2020 Link to comment

      Try completing disabling the google app. I did this about a week ago and all continues to be quiet on my phone.

      Sarah Lund


    • joheben 3
      joheben Feb 14, 2020 Link to comment

      This is why I avoid "upgrading" the Android version in my very old phone.


  • 2
    BarryBass Dec 20, 2019 Link to comment

    tried all the suggestions but this IRRITATING app STILL POPS up. Cant Google make it Simple to remove FFS. Dammmmm Annoying!

    kennethrussell


    • 4
      lesnow Dec 27, 2019 Link to comment

      Barry: I ended up completely disabling my google app and so far, this seems to be the only thing that has worked. See my thread below. Good luck!


      • 2
        BarryBass Dec 30, 2019 Link to comment

        Thanks Les, I did a factory reset on the tablet and now working 100% without Assistant (& Voice). Phew!


  • 2
    csngwrtr Dec 19, 2019 Link to comment

    Class Action Lawsuit: clearly Google has a vested interest in preventing customers from accessing the Google Assistant disable function. No doubt, this is just another way for Google to gather more information about user habits(under the
    guise of "being at the ready to assist our valued customer). If there's a plausible way to sue Google, guaranteed lawyers will line up for the profit

    Deanna Vazquez


  • 3
    fflowerchild369@gmail.com Dec 15, 2019 Link to comment

    Google assistant is like a demon or computer virus like "lesnow" commented below. My experience has been that it just takes over my phone. If I am listening to Spotify tunes, it will change my songs.If I want to watch YouTube video it will stop and start it over and over again. It will control the volume on my phone going up and down, up and down. I uninstalled the Google updates so hopefully I can have my life back lol

    Sarah Lundlesnow


  • 4
    lesnow Dec 13, 2019 Link to comment

    Google assistant is like a demon or computer virus. It keeps popping up no matter the actions taken against it. I have a new Nokia 2.2 with a support button on the left edge tied to the google assistant -- and it's the only thing I don't like about the phone. All this button does is bring up google assistant, and it's very easy to accidentally press it when holding the phone, putting it in/out of my pocket, pressing the power button, or adjusting the volume. I have tried the following actions to de-activate (there is no way to permanently uninstall this feature), but to no avail: (1) de-activate support button (same as your #2 action above), (2) completely de-activate google assistant (same as your #1 action), (3) turn off auto-update of my apps. I found that every time the google app auto-updated (or so it seemed), the assistant would automatically re-enable and over-ride my de-activation of the support button. So then google assistant would pop back up again. However, even turning off auto-update of my apps STILL did not prevent the assistant from popping back up again within a couple of days. Finally, just now, I uninstalled the google app back to factory settings, per your suggestion #3. I'm really hoping this will work because so far, nothing else has. (fingers crossed). -Jonathan

    fflowerchild369@gmail.com


    • 4
      lesnow Dec 16, 2019 Link to comment

      Follow up: Dropping back to the baseline google app did NOT work either. Apparently, google assistant is now built into the factory google app. So I don't seem to have any options at this point to disable or remove google assistant from my Nokia 2.2 phone.


      • 3
        fflowerchild369@gmail.com Dec 19, 2019 Link to comment

        Dude, i can't get rid of it either. WOW

        lesnow


      • 4
        lesnow Dec 20, 2019 Link to comment

        Follow-up #2: After seeing my support setting over-ridden twice in the last day (i.e., re-activating my "Assist app" back to google assistant away from my setting of "None"), I investigated the google app some more. FYI, the google app showed up immediately in my app notifications list after popping up the window asking me to re-enable the dreaded assistant. Upon investigation of the advanced settings of the google app, I noticed that it had permission to (1) display over other apps, and (2) modify system settings. This morning, I turned BOTH of these to "Not allowed". I'm *really* hoping that this will finally prevent google from trying to get me to re-activate the assistant and stop repeatedly over-ride my setting of "None" for the assistant app. I won't believe it's working until I've had at least a week or two of my settings remaining as I set them. So I will follow-up again in a while. Either it doesn't work and I complain again within a couple days, or it works and you won't hear from me again for a couple weeks. (fingers crossed!)


      • 4
        lesnow Dec 22, 2019 Link to comment

        Follow-up #3: Well, after denying the google app permission to display over other apps and to modify my system settings, things got MUCH WORSE! It's as if I pi$$ed off google to even try and mess with the power and control it wields over my phone! The day that I denied these permissions, google decided to ask me FOUR times if I wanted to re-activate the assistant feature when I accidentally pressed the support button on my phone. Each time I had to change the system setting back to what I originally set it at: ASSISTANT = NONE. And each time, google over-rode that setting by changing it back to assistant = google. Grrrrr! This is the worst day yet over the last month that I've owned the Nokia 2.2 phone. My latest attempt is to completely DISABLE the google app. So far, it's been quiet over the last day. Google has really become overly invasive, controlling, and viral like in recent years!

        Sarah Lund


      • 4
        lesnow Dec 27, 2019 Link to comment

        Follow-up #4: All has been quiet since I disabled the google app. My home/service button setting hasn't been changed away from my intended setting of assistant = None. So my recommendation to everyone is to completely disable your google app. The only thing I slightly miss is the google search bar on my home screen.

        Sarah Lund


  • marco sarli 39
    marco sarli
    • Admin
    Dec 3, 2019 Link to comment

    Thanks. Good tip


  • 2
    CRuMBHeAD Nov 22, 2019 Link to comment

    Good luck people.

    Sarah Lund


  • 2
    vivosucks Oct 24, 2019 Link to comment

    I called Vivo regarding this issue. They said that it was a compatibility issue with my bluetooth earphone. They tried it with asus and samsung oreo version and up and same results wherein effin GA keeps popping up even if it was already disabled. And they have no solution for this. I asked them to disable my default google app and they said they can't. Can anyone suggest a brand where I can disable my google app? I really don't need it anyway.

    Sarah Lund


  • 1
    surveyor65 Oct 22, 2019 Link to comment

    I UNINSTALLED GA and it STILL pops up. I followed the steps to disable it, then when that didn't work, I uninstalled the pest. The next thing I tried was updating Google. That worked...for about a week. Now it's back and I'm a heartbeat away from uninstalling Google...or disabling it if I can't uninstall.


  • 1
    CMF Oct 1, 2019 Link to comment

    I've had enough of GAssist. Even when disabled, it keeps stopping my apps to ask me if I want to turn it on! Gonna have to do the uninstall, but I'm nervous of what that will do to other features that I actually want. :(


  • 1
    GoogleHater Sep 27, 2019 Link to comment

    Hate Google Assistant.
    Never knowingly asked to "assist" me and the first thing it decides to snoop on is communications with Revenue.
    Thanks for the instructions. However I assume Google will steal my info any way. (they are in fact quite evil, imo)


  • 2
    jigsaw Sep 11, 2019 Link to comment

    Google assistant is a pain. It's supposed to be disabled, yet when a call is ended call assistant pops up in the way


  • 1
    Carrie Jul 27, 2019 Link to comment

    Thank you for the hints. I have Android, but I wasn't able to fix it quite as you instructed...but it did help guide me towards the answer. For me, I had to go into my phone's settings, tap "Googke services", & from there I could click on "phone" & then disable/turn off assistant. Then also in my phone's settings & then Google services, I clicked on "search, assistant & voice" & then "voice" to delete voice recognition.

    As for weird experiences, I sure did have em!! I had only *partially* completely the process of having google assistant learn my voice (like, I hadn't even gotten to the point of training it yet before I got nervous about privacy issues & stopped the process...& honestly, I didn't have my glasses on, so I couldn't even read what I might've been agreeing to, which also made me nervous). The next night, I only had been using FB, on a private tab, which I closed before I went to bed.

    The next morning, I woke up, turned on my phone, & my browser was open to a Wiki page about FB. Because I hadn't done that, I hit the back button to see what might've caused it. A google search for FB showed. Hit back button again. Two seemingly non-sensical letters showed in another google search. Hit back button again. A porn site came up--& I never visit or search for porn sites!! Fearing a virus, I stopped hitting the back button.

    Also, google's official instructions on their site as to how to delete one's google assistant is to go to accountgoogle.com...But when I did that, I was brought to a page that tried to force me to accept some prize! & it wasn't just a 3rd party "pop-up"...I use Firefox in private mode to avoid such
    things. I found instructions somewhere else on Google, but when I try to get to the appropriate page (I think "privacy"), it gets 1/2-way through loading & then forwards me instead to a completely unhelpful page (I think security)...All very very fishy, if you ask me! Google has lost all my trust & respect now!!


    • 1
      Carrie Jul 27, 2019 Link to comment

      I just realized what might've caused the strange web history that showed up on my phone that time I woke up the day after I got partially (I thought) through the process of agreeing to have voice-activated google assistant. Even though I never said "OK Google" (which still makes the incident super scarey), when I laid down in bed (silently, by myself), I had the TV on (in sleep mode, set for 2 hours), with Court TV on...& it was showing a case about a man in FL (really) who's being tried for murdering his brother & parents, after his father supposedly kicked him out of the house because he broke his rule of not continuing to contact the cam girl/porn, which/who he had a serious addiction/obsession with...to the point that he stole $160,000 from his parents & $40,000 from his brother. During the surviving brother's (who didn't live with the parents) testimony, he mentioned that the father referred to the family members by their initials, so maybe that's why the two letters showed up in the google search. Obviously, their constant talk about the defendent's porn obsession explains the porn site in my browser history. Not sure why google looked up FB, though. Super duper creepy that my phone/google was obviously listening for who knows how many hours, though, without my saying "Hey google" & after I closed my browser & even closed my screen, though!!!


  • mzmaz 2
    mzmaz Jul 5, 2019 Link to comment

    please....please....please....tell me how to get rid of GA before I delete Google for good. Cant do a thing with headphones on because it constantly pops up. Instructions given don't work (android tab) I feel I'm going mad!!!

    Sarah LundCMF


    • Nativetalks 2
      Nativetalks Jul 13, 2019 Link to comment

      She said it RIGHT

      CMFmzmaz


  • joheben 3
    joheben Jun 7, 2019 Link to comment

    What is "the Google app"?! I so do NOT want an app to satisfy my "Google" needs" (I have no need for THAT). Also, the app named "Google" does not have this kind of setting (Android 9).

    Sarah Lund


  • 4
    Matt F May 16, 2019 Link to comment

    When my headphones are plugged in, Google Assistant interrupted every 5-10 minutes to ask if I needed anything. I deactivated it.
    Now, it makes the volume fluctuate and a window at the bottom of the screen is there to "Turn On."
    This is obscenely frustrating. I want it gone. Off my phone. This will be THE MAJOR consideration when choosing my next phone.
    Do not install or activate ANYTHING without my permission.

    SorinSarah LundCMFmzmazSIlkRoadDogSysgoddess


    • Sysgoddess 1
      Sysgoddess May 27, 2019 Link to comment

      The bloody thing began doing this on my tablet now also and proved do annoying that I had to search again for how to disable the thing on my tablet, leading me here. So much for Google's original tenet of "Don't be evil". They've turned into the same ilk as Micro$oft. 😠


    • kat 2
      kat Jun 17, 2019 Link to comment

      I'm having this same issue. I really feel like I've done everything to try and get rid of it but it won't stop bothering me even though GA is not activated on this phone and I've restricted the permissions.

      Someone PLEASE help

      SIlkRoadDog


    • 1
      jellis_1975 Jul 2, 2019 Link to comment

      I agree wholeheartedly! The same thing happens to me and it drives me insane! Hopefully this last fix, or rather, 2 fixes will correct the problem so I do not have to resort to simply removing Google from my phone. I am curious though Mart who you are telling not to "install or activate ANYTHING without my permission." Who else but you would be doing this?


    • mzmaz 2
      mzmaz Jul 28, 2019 Link to comment

      ditto!!


  • 2
    Mccrazy Apr 3, 2019 Link to comment

    What exactly is deleted when you just uninstall Google's updates? Will I lose any photos / files / music or anything?

    Thanks!

    Sarah Lund


  • 2
    Artem Solienko Mar 29, 2019 Link to comment

    For users of MIUI Global 9.6 :
    Settings -> System & device -> Additional settings -> Button and gesture shortcuts -> Launch Google Assistant -> None.

    Sysgoddess


  • Marees 2
    Marees Feb 26, 2019 Link to comment

    When you disabled the Google voice assist, did it bir goodbye with the following dialogue from Ozymandias ?

    In Egypt's sandy silence, all alone,
    Stands a gigantic Leg, which far off throws
    The only shadow that the Desert knows:—
    "I am great OZYMANDIAS," saith the stone,
    "The King of Kings; this mighty City shows
    "The wonders of my hand."— The City's gone,—
    Naught but the Leg remaining to disclose
    The site of this forgotten Babylon.


    • 1
      jellis_1975 Jul 2, 2019 Link to comment

      It's like you're trying to sound witty and intellectual but it reads as nonsense. A+ for effort, solid D- for effect.


  • 32
    Deactivated Account Feb 24, 2019 Link to comment

    Very useful. I don't need someone listing to me always.


    • 25
      Deactivated Account Feb 24, 2019 Link to comment

      Sanjai Sir I have already deactivated Google assistant on my smartphone. Whenever I require any piece of information, I make my own efforts to amass it and in the process push the powers of my mind to its optimum level.


  • J Selby 2
    J Selby Feb 4, 2019 Link to comment

    Thank you for actually being helpful 😂

    Mccrazy


  • 4
    Scott Johnson Dec 29, 2018 Link to comment

    Thanks.
    Method 1 didn't work for me (instructions are all different on my phone).
    Method 2 hopefully did the trick.
    GA turns itself on, I think this happened after I tried Google Launcher for a few minutes but has stayed active.


  • cyberkil 2
    cyberkil Dec 27, 2018 Link to comment

    Why don't anyone just search in settings for assist then set assist app as none? Bye Bye Google assistant.

    Sarah Lund


    • Para Bina. com (webdesigner) 1
      Para Bina. com (webdesigner) Jan 26, 2019 Link to comment

      Thanks Cyberkil. Almost give up until I read your comment. Simple. Effective. Exactly what I wanted. Bye Google Assistant.


    • 2
      Carba Mar 11, 2019 Link to comment

      Because Google (sorry Android) reverts back to Google Assistant as the default assist app DAILY. I have never had Google Assistant activated, but every time I swipe up on the screen, it initiates Google Assistant setup. I have selected "None" as the default assist app countless times, and the next day, it is back to "Google Assistant".

      I have even tried setting a different assistant as the default assistant (e.g. Duck-Duck Go), and what do you know, next day Google Assistant is the default assist app again.

      Of course a Google search does not yield useful solutions to this, because they clearly don't want you to deactivate Google Assistant.

      (This is on a Huawei P10 Plus with Android 8.0.0)

      SIlkRoadDogSysgoddess


    • joheben 3
      joheben Jun 7, 2019 Link to comment

      ... because it is not obvious to do so, of course. Especially if the phone starts commenting on your conversations and you have no idea why the hell it started doing that.


    • mzmaz 2
      mzmaz Jul 28, 2019 Link to comment

      because....it still pops up asking to be turned on!


  • 2
    On an island in the Caribbean Aug 17, 2018 Link to comment

    finally! This was where I was looking for the moment the assistant was available in Dutch a was automatically activated on my device. It was bothering me several times a day without me needing it. I had been looking for a way to deactivate the assistant but only could find ways that did not do the trick. Thanks to you guys... the assistant is silenced!

    Sysgoddess


  • Albin Foro 30
    Albin Foro Aug 16, 2018 Link to comment

    I got rid of it (along with other things and a lot of bloat) by disabling the Google Search app. I use the Google Search box, and most other Google services, in a browser.

    stormSysgoddess


  • 49
    storm Aug 16, 2018 Link to comment

    It needs a simple disable method that is complete and total.

    joheben


    • joheben 3
      joheben Jun 7, 2019 Link to comment

      I completely agree. If I had any trust in Apple handling this betetr I would seriously look into switching to iPhone/iPad - and for me that would be a huge step. Google Assistant is horribly intrusive, and I doubt that Google has obtained enough consent from me to do it. They may be up for another hefty privacy-invasion fine from EU.

      SIlkRoadDog

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