Android Auto Bug Forces Gemini to Revert to Google Assistant After Latest Update

Bizarre Gemini to Google Assistant swapping bug is driving Android Auto users mad

One potential workaround involves going into AA settings, switching to from Gemini to Assistant, then switching back. For the last handful of months, Google has been rolling out Gemini to Android Auto (AA). The AI upgrade has received mixed reviews since the rollout began. If you're one of the users who wished you could go back to Google Assistant, you may actually like this new bug affecting the platform. Some AA users claim that Gemini suddenly disappeared and was replaced by the old Google Assistant. On Reddit, there are multiple reports of the issue. We can also confirm that one of our writers has also experienced this bug. While some claim they are unable to switch back, others say that the issue was only temporary. Over on the Android Auto community forums (via PiunikaWeb), one user points out that Gemini integration was working just fine until updating to AA version 16.7. After this update, the system reverted back to Google Assistant. Despite clearing the cache for the AA and Google apps, toggling the digital assistant settings, and restarting both their phone and the car's head unit, the old Assistant interface continues to trigger. Although users are pointing to version 16.7 as the culprit, that may not be the case. One user in the forum claims that they ran into the bug while on version 16.6.661414.

Gemini for Android Auto reverting to Assistant in bizarre bug, Google is aware

Vehicles with Gemini for Android Auto are reverting back to an outdated Google Assistant due to a strange bug after updating to the latest version. Gemini for Android Auto has been received with mixed feelings during the beta period. The AI assistant replaces Google Assistant as the middleman for commands, queries, and more. Since its release, it seems like users are taking issue with the performance, which is plagued by bugs and delayed responses. Even if some wish Google Assistant would become the default again, it appears that the old assistant is making a return on some devices without prompt (via PiunikaWeb). Recent reports in Google's official community forum indicate that after updating to Android Auto version 16.7, a bug is causing Google Assistant to return as the digital helper to replace Gemini. A number of replies in that thread confirm that a healthy portion of users are facing the same issue. Even after joining the Gemini for Android Auto beta, a bug is causing the assistant to revert to what it was before. Prior to that update, it looks like this wasn't an issue. One commenter notes that switching the digital assistant to Google Assistant in the Android Auto settings, then opting into using Gemini again, fixes the bug. This might not be the case for everyone, but it's more targeted than the general cache reset route. Beyond the general acknowledgment of the issue, Google support hasn't made any mention of an incoming fix.