How to start Google Assistant on Android 12

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You may think you know how to start Google Assistant on Android 12 and you probably do. But do you know all the ways to bring the smart assistant to life?

Most likely not, because with artificial intelligence playing a big part in Android 12 and the new Google Pixel 6 and Google Pixel 6 Pro phones, it’s no surprise that there are now multiple ways to launch Google Assistant.

Not everyone is a fan of virtual assistants, but Google’s is one of the best, as it offers a number of convenient features, such as the ability to find your phone or even read web pages aloud for you. (We’ve rounded up our favorites in a separate guide to the best Google Assistant commands.)

But whatever you do with it, you need to know how to open it first, so here’s how to launch Google Assistant on Android 12 in every possible way.

How to start Google Assistant on Android 12: use voice activation

Google Assistant is primarily (but not exclusively) a voice-activated tool, so it makes sense that you can also start it by speaking. To do this, simply say “OK, Google” or “Hey, Google”. If you haven’t set up voice activation, that’s easy to do.

1. To set up voice activation for the Google Assistant, open the Google app on your phone. Then, tap the circular icon in the top right and tap “Settings”.

(Image credit: Google)

2. Tap “Google Assistant”.

(Image credit: Google)

3. Tap “Ok Google and Voice Match”.

(Image credit: Google)

4. Tap the switch on the right to turn on voice activation for the Google Assistant.

(Image credit: Google)

5. Tap “Next” to continue. After reading the terms of Voice Match, tap “Agree” if you wish to proceed, then follow the instructions to record some samples for Android 12 to “learn” your voice.

How to launch the Google Assistant on Android 12: search the app drawer

To launch the Google Assistant on Android 12 using the app drawer, simply open the app drawer and start typing “assistant”. You should see the Assistant app appear after typing the first two letters.

(Image credit: Google)

Android 12 includes a search widget on the home screen by default. To open the Google Assistant, simply tap the microphone icon on the widget. If the widget isn’t there or you’ve removed it previously, it’s easy to get it back.

Please note that on Pixel phones, the Search Box widget is always present at the bottom of the phone screen as in the image below and cannot be removed.

(Image credit: Google)

1. Touch and hold an empty space on the home screen and a list of options will appear. Tap “Widgets”.

(Image credit: Google)

2. Scroll through the list of widgets until you see “Google”. Touch it.

(Image credit: Google)

3. Then, press and hold on the Search widget. Then, place the widget in a convenient location on your home screen.

(Image credit: Google) How to launch the Google Assistant on Android 12: make a swipe gesture

Here is one of the easiest ways to open the Google Assistant on Android 12. Just swipe to the center of the display from the bottom left corner and the Google Assistant should come to life. If you don’t already have this feature, try the following.

1. Swipe down twice from the top of the screen and click the cog wheel to access settings.

(Image credit: Google)

2. Scroll down, then tap “System”.

(Image credit: Google)

3. Click on “Gestures”.

(Image credit: Google)

4. Click on “System Navigation”.

(Image credit: Google)

5. Next to “Gesture Navigation”, on the right you will see a cogwheel. Click on this.

(Image credit: Google)

6. Select “Swipe to call assistant”.

(Image credit: Google)

Note: The following tips only apply to the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.

How to launch the Google Assistant on your Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro

In addition to the methods described above, Google’s Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro have their own ways to launch the Google Assistant, using their hardware to do the job.

How to launch the Google Assistant on your Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro: use the power button

While controversial for some, Google has changed the way the power button works on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, replacing the default action of turning off the phone. Instead, if you hold down the power button, it will launch the Google Assistant.

If you are one of the many who would like to go back to the more usual way of doing things, we have a dedicated guide on how to turn off the phone with the power button on Android 12.

How to launch the Google Assistant on your Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro: use the “quick touch” function

Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro have an ace up their sleeve with a feature called “Quick Tap”, which essentially uses the back of the devices as a sensor. By double tapping on the back of the phone, you can perform one of several actions, including opening the Google Assistant. To set it up, follow the instructions below.

1. Swipe down twice from the top of the display, then tap the gear icon to open the Settings menu.

(Image credit: Google)

2. From there, tap “System”.

(Image credit: Google)

3. Tap “Gestures”.

(Image credit: Google)

4. Tap “Quick Tap” to enter the Quick Tap options menu.

(Image credit: Google)

5. Select the “Use quick touch” option at the top of the screen, then choose “Log in to your digital assistant” from the menu below.

(Image credit: Google)

There you have it: just the six different ways to launch Google Assistant on Android 12.

Once you’ve learned that, you may also want to find out how to check your Android phone’s battery status or how to charge your Android phone faster. Or, for something a little different, check out how to get the bubble Easter egg in Android 12.

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