Google Assistant is considered the most advanced and dynamic voice Assistant out of others (Alexa, Siri, Cortana). The ‘Ok Google’ or ‘Hey Google’ voice commands activate the Assistant, then you can perform voice searching, voice-activated device control, and a whole lot of things on your Android device. The easiest way to launch Assistant is, of course, the voice commands. But, you have other alternatives too. This guide will show you 5 different methods to quickly open the Google Assistant on Android.
1. Use Google Assistant app shortcut
Like other apps, Google Assistant can be installed from Play Store (your phone must be running on Android 5.0 or newer). With the installation, it creates an app shortcut in your app drawer. You can drag the shortcut on your home screen and use it just like other apps.
2. Long-press the Home button
If Google Assistant is turned on in Google Settings on your phone, you can simply long-press the Home button, and it’ll launch the Assistant. Make sure that your default assistant app is set to Google (phone Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Assistive App > select Google).
3. Say “Ok Google” or “Hey Google”
When your phone screen is on, you can use voice commands like “Ok Google” or “Hey Google” to launch Assistant. To use this method, you need to configure ‘Voice Match’ settings in the Google app.
- Open the Google app.
- At the bottom-right, tap ‘More’ > ‘Settings’ > ‘Voice’ > ‘Voice Match’.
- Turn on ‘Access with Voice Match’.
4. Use a dedicated Google Assistant button
Button Mapper is an app that lets you assign special tasks to your hardware buttons (Back, Menu, Volume, and headset buttons). It also lets you assign tasks with a single, double, or a long press.
For example, we’ll make use of the long-press Volume Up button to launch the Google Assistant. It’ll work just like the long-press Home button.
- Install Button Mapper app from Play Store.
- Open the app and grant Accessibility permission.
- Under ‘Volume Up’ section, turn on ‘Customize’ > select ‘Long press’.
- Scroll down and select ‘Assistant’.
5. Open Google Assistant using gesture navigation
With Navigation Gestures app, you can set different gestures for various tasks on your Android phone. For our purpose, we’ll be using the app to make Assistant launch, when you swipe left on the gesture pill.
- Install Navigation Gestures from the Play Store.
- Open the app and grant all required permissions.
- In the ‘Gestures’ settings, choose a gesture such as ‘Swipe Left’.
- Select ‘Assistant’ to associate with the gesture.
