The software giant's Google Assistant is a voice assistant and its answer to Apple's and Amazon's Siri, according to Alexa. You can ask the assistant for almost anything, and he will understand your words in a context where the relevant results are in colloquial order.
To help you figure out if the assistant is on your phone, we've put together some expert tips and tricks. If you have a jack or Google home device, we have separate tips and tricks you can read to get the most out of these devices.
- What is Google Assistant?
Google Assistant tips and tricks
Many of the tips below were written with a Pixel 3 phone in hand, though they will work on other Google Assistant compatible phones too - almost all Android phones as well as iOS devices with the Google Assistant app.
Getting Started
When you first get your assistant on your smartphone, you will be prompted to use the Google Assistant and "OK Google" always-on voice detection. You'll have to create an "OK Google" voice model so that the phone can recognize your voice at any time to activate the Google Assistant to serve your needs (be it playing music, getting the weather, or whatever).
Choose the right Google account for Assistant
The Google Assistant is powered by your Google account. It is important to make sure that the program is with the same score that you will be asking him to find information, especially when it comes to photos.
If you use one account for Assistant and another account for your Google Photos, then it won't have access.
Setting
Google Assistant has a settings menu. In this menu, you can do everything from adjusting the "Ok Google" voice pattern to viewing a summary of your activity generated by the assistant.
To open the Assistant options menu: Go to settings > google > services > account Search, assistant and Google assistant voice. From there, click on the Assistant tab at the top and you'll see several submenus with customization options.
Alternatively, open the Google Assistant app > click on the profile icon in the top right corner > click on the assistant tab and you will see various submenus.
Enable/Disable Assistant
Open the Google Settings assistant by tapping on the Assistant tab. Scroll down to Device Assistant and click on the device you want to remove or add Google Assistant for.
When you tap on a device, you will see the Google Assistant at the top. Toggle switch to enable the assistant and disable to disable the assistant. When you turn on the switch, you give permission to the assistant to answer questions and get things done.
Customize your news list
Open the Google Settings assistant > click on the Services tab with your name and email address > scroll down to news and click on it to set up your news list.
Here, you can add news sources if you scroll down. You can also change the order by clicking on the 'Edit' tab at the top right of your news list. Clicking on the 'X' next to a news source will remove it from the list of news sources.
Setting up a 'my day' summary
Open the Google Settings assistant > click on the assistant tab under your name and email > tap on a routine > tap on Good Morning. From here, you can set up your daily briefing.
You can choose from several options including keep your phone silent, adjust compatible smart devices, check the weather, work drive, reminders whether you want to end your day by reading the news, etc. You can also add actions such as music playback, at the end.
Shopping List Access
Open the Google Settings assistant > click on the Services tab under your name and email > scroll down to the shopping list. Touch it to open your shopping list.
Enable/Disable Context Screen
Open Google Assistant Settings > click on the assistant tab under your name > scroll down to device assistant > click on phone > scroll down to the 'context screen' and toggle on or off.
When you turn on the switch, you will give the assistant permission to show you information related to what's on the screen. It can show you relevant links in YouTube or IMDB for example.
Change your assistant language
Open Google Assistant Settings > click on the assistant tab under your name > click on Languages > click on 'Add Language' to select the language to talk to your assistant.
Enable/disable always-on 'OK Google'
Open Google Assistant Settings > click on the assistant tab under your name > scroll down to Device Assistant > click Phone > scroll down to 'open with voice' and on/off.
Turn on the switch to give Assistant permission to recognize your voice when you say "ok Google" even if your screen is off or you're using the app. This makes the assistant always-on.
Use 'OK Google' to unlock your device
Open Assistant Google Settings > tap on Assistant tab under your name > scroll down to Device Assistant > tap Phone > scroll down to lock personal results screen.
Enable to allow voice to send messages and access email, calendar, contacts and more when the phone is locked.
Voice model reclassify 'Ok Google'
Open Google Assistant Settings > click on the assistant tab under your name > scroll down to device assistant > click on phone > scroll down to 'Voice' > requalify by voice.
Then you will have to say 'Ok Google' several times so that the assistant can remember and understand how you pronounce the phrase. He can then use the phrase as Wake/Word and Device-Unlock word.
Voice model delete 'Ok Google'
Open the Google Assistant settings > tap on the assistant tab under your name > scroll down to device assistant > tap on phone > scroll down to 'voice' > delete the entry.
The Google Assistant will then be unable to remember or learn how you pronounce the phrase. Keep in mind, you can't use this phrase.
Use offensive words with your voice
Open Google Assistant Settings > click on the assistant tab under your name > scroll down to Device Assistant > click Phone > scroll down to 'different' voice 'settings' > switch to 'hide offensive words'.
The Google Assistant will then hide the offending words in the search field by replacing them with an asterisk (*).
Set of your home and workplace
Open the Google Settings assistant > click on the Details tab > scroll down to take your seats.
From there, you will see an option to add your home and work addresses. You can also add additional locations by clicking on 'Add Object'.
Enter your name
Open the Google Settings assistant > click on the Details tab > scroll down to Nick. Click on it to decide what Google Assistant calls you. You can also check that Google knows how to speak correctly.
Changing weather units
Open the Google Settings Assistant > click on the Details tab > scroll down to Weather > choose between Fahrenheit or Celsius.
Create a compatible smart home device
Open the Google Settings Assistant > click on the Home tab under your name and email > click Add to add a device, group speaker, or service. Follow the instructions. Once the device is set up, you can use the Google Assistant to control it.
Read our separate feature on some of the best Google Assistant compatible smart home devices available for purchase.
Type of my activity summary
Open the Google Settings assistant > click on the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the screen > click on my activity.
Things you can say and do with Google Assistant
Google Assistant is your personal assistant. It can play music for you, set reminders, check your flight and more. Here are a few things you can say and do with the assistant using just your voice.
You just have to say "OK Google" or squeeze the sides on your Pixel phones for the assistant to access. On iOS devices, open the Google Assistant app.
Play music
Ask an assistant to play music, say "OK Google" and then "play music", "play jazz", "play workout music", "listen to Daft Punk", or "listen to yourself on Spotify", etc. d.
You can set the default music app in the Services tab of the Google Assistant options and it will automatically play music from that source.
Watch something on Netflix
Fire Netflix and watch, say "OK Google" after what you want to watch: "watch Luke Cage on Netflix". This will unlock Luke Cage on Netflix. You don't have to watch Luke Cage, but you should, it's good.
Listen to the news
Ask Assistant to tell news from sources you have previously chosen, say "OK Google" followed by "what news", "international news", "what news about trump", or "sports news", etc.
Manage smart devices
Ask an assistant to manage compatible smart devices, you will need to install them. After that, you can say “OK Google” followed by “turn the kitchen light off”, “tell iRobot to start cleaning”, “turn the dining card number”, “turn on the heat”, etc.
Ask about your day
Ask an assistant for a daily briefing, say "OK Google" and then "Good morning", "Good afternoon" or "good evening" etc. You will get the weather, upcoming appointments, news, narratives, etc.
Set reminders
To ask Assistant to set reminders for you, say "OK Google" and then "set reminder...", "remind me to buy milk", "remind me to buy milk today", "remind me to call my mom", or "remind me to do laundry when I get home,” etc.
Set alarm
To ask an assistant to set an alarm for you, say "OK Google" followed by "setting an alarm...", "Wake me up at 9am", wake me up at 10am every day", "set alarm for 8am", or " show me my worries,” etc.
Ask about the weather
Ask Assistant for the weather, say "OK Google" followed by "what's the weather like", "will it rain tomorrow", "how hot is it outside", "what's the temperature", or "weekend forecast", etc.
Bring sports news
Ask the assistant for sports news, say "OK Google" and then "did" the Red Sox "win", "whether" Arsenal "win", "tell sports news", "when the baseball game", "Who is the fastest man in world”, or “what is” Real “registry”, etc.
Ask a question
Ask the assistant a general question, say "OK Google" and then ask any question like "who is Archimedes", "how far is the moon", "how many grams in a glass", or "how many grams in a kilogram", or "what is waving the sacrament, etc. In many cases, Google will read the information back to you, telling you the source.
Find material nearby
Ask Assistant to find stuff nearby, say "OK Google" followed by commands such as "restaurant", "upcoming events", "hotel next door", "what are some nearby pubs", or "what comedy movies, games" and etc.
Find things while traveling
Ask an assistant to find things when you're traveling, say "OK Google" followed by "New York City", "Hotels in Boston", "Barcelona", "Where you can take a walk in France", or "Arranging Flight 16 at the time " etc.
Check your next flight or booking
Google Assistant will know everything about your booked weed if you have confirmations sent through your Gmail account. Just say "OK Google" then "what's my next flight" and you'll get a list of upcoming flights. You can also ask "when am I going to Barcelona?" and you'll get your Barcelona flight details, for example.
Real time translation
To ask an assistant to do a real-time translation for you, say "OK Google" followed by "Hi" in Spanish, "Thank you" in Japanese, "what" Good morning "in Italian" or "translate" the airport "to France", etc.
Place a call
To ask an assistant to place a call for you, say "OK Google" followed by "call Sally", "call", "call Alice Walker", or "call mom at home", etc.
Send a message
To ask Assistant to send a message for you, say "OK Google" and then "send message", "text Eric", "send whatsapp message", "text Alice arrives at 5pm", or "tell Sally I will 5 minutes. late”, etc.
Timer set
Ask Assistant to set a timer, say "OK Google" and then "set timer", "countdown timer 1 minute", "start timer for 10 minutes", or "set timer for 5 minutes", etc.
Open any application
To ask the assistant to open the app for you, say "OK Google" and then "open YouTube", "open calendar", or "open Wi-Fi settings", etc.
Search Play Store
Ask the assistant to find the app in the play store, say "OK Google" and then "Facebook in the play store", "WhatsApp in the play store", "Uber in the play store" or "Twitter in the play store", etc.
Google Search
Ask Assistant to search Google, say "OK Google" followed by "search..." followed by whatever you're looking for - whether it's a vacation idea, facts, zebra crossings, funny one-liners, or facts about the moon, etc.
See what's on your calendar
Ask the assistant to look at your calendar, say "OK Google" and then "what's on my calendar."
Show your photos, show a photo of your dog, food, children
To ask Assistant to show photos from Google Photos, say "OK Google" and then "show me my photos." Google Photos knows what photos contain, so it will also return photos of objects like your dog, food, kids, or places, just say "show my car photos" and you'll get your car photos displayed.
I see your letters
To ask Assistant to show your Gmail emails, say "OK Google" followed by "Show My Messages". This will display email messages from your account.
Voice dictated in applications
To use Assistant to dictate in supported messaging apps, including Google's own messaging app, tap the microphone icon on your keyboard.
Get directions
Ask for an assistant to help you navigate, say "OK Google" and then "go home", "go to work", "route to 100 main street", "navigate to nearest cafe", or "go to post office", etc. e. This will calculate the route and open Google Maps navigation.
Unblock device
To ask Assistant to unlock your device, just say "OK Google" (included in Google Settings Assistant). If you are in a noisy place, it may not recognize your voice correctly.
Take a selfie
Google Assistant will help with this important task. Just say "OK Google" and then "take a selfie". This will instantly open the camera and start a 3 2 1 countdown. Don't forget to smile.
flip a coin
Universal way of making decisions. Say "Ok Google" and then "toss a coin." The assistant will toss a coin and let you know if it's heads or tails.
Turn on the flashlight
"Ok Google" then "turn on flashlight" turns on the flash on the phone. Great for peering into dark holes.
Entertainment and games
The Google Assistant can be as funny as Siri. And it's good to keep your mind busy when you're feeling bored. Here are a few things an assistant can do over the course of a day and night to serve your every need.
Play a game
To ask the assistant to play the game, just say "OK Google" and then "play".
play trivia
To ask Assistant to play trivia, just say "OK Google" followed by "Play Trivia". This will then allow you to choose from various subjects such as math, geography, entertainment, etc.
Say 'I'm bored'
To ask an assistant to entertain you, just say "OK Google" followed by "I'm bored." It will then let you play a game, or tell you a joke. It will even "surprise you with some random fun".
Ask for a poem
To ask an assistant to read the poem, just say "OK Google" and then "tell the rhyme".
Ask for a joke
Ask an assistant to tell you a joke, just say "OK Google" and then "tell me a joke". Then you can ask another one.
Ask for random numbers
Say "OK Google" and then "tell random numbers". What happens next may surprise you.
Ask the ultimate riddle
Tolkien fans will be familiar with this. Say "OK Google" then "what's in my pocket?". Welcome.
What is the meaning of life?
Fans of Douglas Adams may be less impressionable and say "OK Google" then "what is the meaning of life?". The comedy is great, but we're a little disappointed with the result.
I'm lucky!
This is perhaps the jewel in the crown of Google's assistant skills. Say "OK Google" followed by "I'm feeling lucky." We won't spoil the surprise, but the Google Assistant is really going to town in the fight against Google's iconic question.
Finally, it becomes more and more philosophical...
Try asking Google Assistant "when am I?"