Google Sets March 2026 Deadline for Assistant Phase-Out as Gemini Rollout Accelerates Across Android Ecosystem

Google just gave Android Auto its most significant update yet - and we tested it on the road

You have three different ways to initiate Gemini in your vehicle. Earlier this year, Google announced that Gemini would be coming to Android Auto "in the coming months." The coming months are here, as the rollout has began just a week ago, and Google's AI is now appearing on vehicle dashboards globally. Also: Google just rolled out Gemini 3 to Search - here's what it can do and how to try it Gemini in your car will work just like it does on your phone, and our first impressions of the update have been very positive. You can ask for complex information, have a back-and-forth conversation, get help finding a specific message or email, and more. You can even add stops to your navigation without needing to fumble with your dashboard. Phew. But beyond performing tasks more effectively than the old Google Assistant could, Gemini is a conversational partner that enables you to speak naturally and get what you need. So, instead of thinking hard about how to properly communicate a query, you can simply talk to the assistant as you would with a passenger. Google is offering up five ways you can use your new Gemini capabilities: Maps has been getting several upgrades thanks to Gemini, and many of those features are trickling down to Android Auto. Also: How to turn off Gemini in your Gmail, Photos, Chrome, and more - it's easy to opt out of AI For example, if you're looking for a local spot, Gemini can provide you with insights from real reviews and answer frequently asked questions about businesses. You might ask something like, "Hey Google, is there a restaurant with good burgers open now that's along my route?" When you get an answer, you can follow up with queries like, "Is the restaurant dog friendly?" or "What specific food gets good reviews?" Just last weekend, ZDNET's Kerry Wan was exploring pizzeria options across Manhattan, so asking Gemini questions about specialty slices, allergens, and price points was more convenient than ever. Communicating while on the road is getting a little easier with Gemini in Android Auto. You can ask for a summary of your recent text messages or dictate a new message. Google says you can string together requests like "I'm stuck in traffic. Can you let Leo know and add my ETA and a sorry emoji?" and then add "Can you also ask if he wants to grab coffee after the game? And please translate the message into Spanish." You can use Gemini's live mode to learn something new, Google says, to brainstorm ideas, to rehearse for important meetings, and more. You might ask, "I'm driving to Austin for work, tell me some things I need to see," "I'm curious about the history of the state of Texas," or "I want to rehearse what I'm going to say at a meeting, can you give me feedback?" This feature may be even more useful now if you have a curious child who's full of unexpected questions. Also: Gemini for Home is finally rolling out for early access - here's how to try it first One thing to note is that Gemini on Android Auto cannot be interrupted mid-sentence, unlike on mobile. It's often difficult to think and speak your mind accurately while driving, so being able to fix mistakes in questions and prompts during responses feels like an area for improvement. Heading out for a road trip and want some music? You can ask Gemini to make a playlist. You can ask for specific songs or for general ideas, such as "a three-hour playlist of upbeat, family-friendly songs." Google says you can even ask for mood music with a request like, "It's raining. Can you play songs perfect for a rainy drive?" Drive time can now be a little more productive, as you can access Gemini hands-free. You can ask for a summary of unread emails, view your Google Calendar, or make a specific request, such as, "I have a hotel booked for tonight, can you find the reservation, give me the address, and navigate there?" Also: I let Gemini Deep Research dig through my Gmail and Drive - here's what it uncovered Google says the new Gemini AI assistant starts rolling out on Android Auto globally today. To get started, make sure you're using the Gemini app on your phone. You'll see a tooltip on your car display once it becomes available to you. To use it, just say "Hey Google," press the mic button on your car screen, or long-press the voice control button on your steering wheel. Gemini on Android Auto is the AI assistant upgrade we've all been waiting for. It makes communicating and operating with your vehicle much easier and more seamless, and its capabilities feel limitless compared to those of Google Assistant. Eventually, we'd love to see the AI become more proactive in helping drivers drive more safely. For example, the idea of Gemini working in tandem with your car to alert you when you're over the local speed limit, or if there's an accident up ahead, feels like a logical next step. Until then, this first release of Gemini is already a significant improvement over its predecessor and couldn't have come sooner.

End of Google Assistant on Mobile Delayed, Now Set For March 2026

The Gemini switchover continues with many new devices gaining access to the AI chatbot set to replace Google Assistant. Google has now confirmed it will end support for Assistant on most mobile devices in March 2026. A new support boxout on Android Auto's help center says, "Gemini is replacing Google Assistant on most mobile devices." It later says, "Google Assistant is still available for use until March 2026." It's unclear if Google means support will cease on Feb. 28, 2026, or if it'll share a more specific end date in the future. The wording was first spotted by Android leaker Assemble Debug. Back in March of this year, Google said it would end support for Assistant on mobile by the end of 2025. This new wording suggests Google is delaying its plans to remove Assistant by a few more months, but its reasoning to do so remains unclear. Google continues to let you switch between Gemini and Assistant within the settings on an Android phone. Assistant also remains downloadable from both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, with the brand yet to confirm whether it will remove it from storefronts before the new deadline. Google plans to keep Assistant for select older mobile devices, but it's unlikely to impact your phone. Google's initial announcement said it would allow those running Android 9 software or earlier with less than 2GB of RAM to continue using the software. It's unclear if this is the end of Assistant compatibility on all of Google's compatible devices, or whether this just refers to its mobile app and how it works with tools such as Android Auto. PCMag has asked Google for clarification on which devices are included, and we'll share more when we hear back.

Google just set an official end date for Assistant - but there's a way you can keep it

It's been known for more than a year that Google is replacing Assistant with Gemini, but now there is an official timeline for when that will happen. The company hasn't made any sort of official announcement, but a "Talk to Gemini or Google Assistant" support page for Android Auto (which just got one of its biggest updates ever) was recently updated to include a sentence that says, "Google Assistant is still available for use until March 2026." Also: Want better Gemini responses? Try these 10 tricks, Google says The message goes on to say, "Gemini is replacing Google Assistant on most mobile devices. Learn more about what you can do with Gemini, privacy, protection of minors and availability for supported devices, languages and territories." Gemini will understand the same commands as Assistant, Google explains, while also giving you the option to speak naturally. While this warning appears on a support page for Android Auto, I couldn't find it across any other Google page. This means it's possible the March 2026 deadline is only for the Android Auto version and other Google products like Android phones and Google TV (which just got Gemini) will have a different deadline. Also: Want to ditch ChatGPT? Gemini 3 shows early signs of winning the AI race According to Android Authority though, the latest version of the Google app (version 16.46.61) includes code that removes Google Assistant wording in favor of Gemini, so it seems like it might truly be the end everywhere. I've reached out to Google for clarification. If you've missed the changeover, Google has slowly added capabilities that let Gemini do what Assistant could do -- set timers and reminders, play media, control smart devices, and more. Also: Google's Nano Banana image generator goes Pro - how it beats the original Like most new tech rollouts though, AI is at the heart of things, and Google's ultimate goal is to have an assistant that can also interact with other apps and services, that can make you more productive and creative, and that's personal to you. Want to keep Google Assistant past this deadline? You'll need to use a device that does not meet the minimum requirements -- at least 2GB of RAM and Android 10 or above.

An era of Android is ending: Google Assistant gets its sunset timeline

According to a banner on Google's support forum, Assistant will remain available "until March 2026." For almost a decade now, millions of Android devices have spoken the language of the Google Assistant. However, more recently, Google has made it clear that Gemini is its new digital helper, replacing Assistant across multiple platforms, including Android phones, Android Auto, Wear OS, Google TV, and others. Now, Google has quietly confirmed when Google Assistant will take its final bow. A banner spotted (h/t Assemble Debug) on Google's official Android Auto support forum reveals that Google Assistant will continue to work on Android "until March 2026." It's the clearest timeline Google has offered till now about Assistant's impending farewell. In the same notice, Google reassures users that "Gemini will understand the same commands as Google Assistant and also give you the option to speak naturally." For many Android users, especially those with Google Home devices, this is a big moment. Google's transition from Assistant to Gemini on Google Home devices hasn't been entirely smooth, with many users still preferring Assistant over the AI chatbot. However, Google Assistant's demise was inevitable, as the company rapidly transitions to its Gemini-powered era. The Google Assistant emerged in May 2016, first tucked into the short-lived Allo messaging app and the original Google Home speaker, before becoming an integral feature of Android phones. It was and will remain one of Google's most defining consumer-tech features of all time, one that eventually spread across phones, watches, TVs, cars, and nearly every corner of Google's ecosystem. Now, as Google moves toward fully transitioning to Gemini, Assistant's successful near-10-year run seems to be approaching its final chapter. Android users can still choose between Gemini and Google Assistant for now, but it looks like this choice won't be available for long.

Google prepares to scrub Assistant in favor of Gemini from even more settings

The "Hey Google & Voice Match" screen is also being renamed to "Talk to Gemini hands-free." Google is moving forward with Gemini, launching newer models like the Gemini 3 Pro that significantly enhance the AI model's utility. Google has also long announced its intention to replace Google Assistant with Gemini everywhere. We now know that Google Assistant will remain available for use until March 2026, but there's a future ahead where it will cease to exist. With Google v16.46.61, we've spotted code that further removes Google Assistant branding and mentions on Android, in favor of Gemini.

Google replaces Assistant with Gemini on Android Auto in 2026

Google announced on a support page, first spotted by 9to5Google, that it will replace Google Assistant with Gemini on Android Auto starting as early as March 2026. This change targets Android Auto, a service that mirrors Android smartphone content to vehicle infotainment systems, to enable more natural speech interactions and reduce smartphone handling for driver safety. The support page specifies that the current version of Google Assistant will no longer be available on Android Auto after March 2026, with Gemini assuming its role. Android Auto functions by connecting a compatible Android smartphone to a vehicle's head unit or infotainment system, projecting apps and interfaces onto the car's display. This setup allows drivers to access navigation, media, and communication tools without diverting attention from the road. The transition to Gemini aligns with Google's efforts to integrate advanced AI capabilities into vehicle interfaces, building on the service's existing features. One primary objective of this replacement is to foster more natural speech interactions between drivers and the vehicle's system. Drivers currently rely on voice commands through Google Assistant, but the system sometimes requires manual smartphone adjustments, which can distract from driving and violate traffic laws in many regions. By minimizing physical smartphone use, Gemini aims to enhance road safety. For instance, the AI will process commands in a conversational manner, allowing seamless continuations without restarting interactions. This development benefits drivers who seek to perform tasks while maintaining focus on the road, though compatibility issues may arise for users with older smartphones or head units that do not support Gemini's requirements. Gemini will integrate deeply with Google Maps to provide enhanced navigation capabilities. Users can employ natural language to request directions, such as saying, "navigate me to the best burger joint in the area." The AI will interpret this and generate an appropriate route. Beyond initial queries, Gemini maintains contextual awareness, enabling follow-up questions like inquiring about popular dishes at the selected location or availability of free parking nearby. This conversational flow simplifies route adjustments, such as adding stops en route, without needing to rephrase commands or touch the screen. Google describes this as a "powerful boost" to Maps, emphasizing the ease of incorporating real-time modifications during travel. In the realm of communication, Gemini addresses limitations in Google Assistant's handling of hands-free messaging. The existing Assistant often struggles with accurate dictation, leading to errors in transcribed messages. Gemini introduces prompt-based manipulation, where drivers can refine messages verbally. An example provided by Google involves traffic delays: a driver could say, "Oops, I'm stuck in traffic. Can you let Leo know and add my ETA and a sorry emoji?" The AI would compose and send the message accordingly. This feature extends to editing without restarting, reducing frustration during composition. Language support forms another key improvement, with Gemini capable of translating messages into over 40 different languages. This multilingual functionality ensures accessibility for diverse users, allowing seamless communication across linguistic barriers while driving. Additionally, Gemini generates concise summaries of incoming messages, including emails, to keep drivers informed without prolonged reading. For emails containing buried details, such as the location of a work event or the time of an upcoming flight, the AI extracts and presents this information clearly, aiding quick decision-making on the move. Google views driving time as an opportunity for productivity, equipping Gemini with tools for managing inboxes and generating ideas. Motorists can review overflowing emails or brainstorm plans, like a family trip, through voice interactions. This approach transforms commutes into functional periods, leveraging AI to handle administrative and creative tasks hands-free. Alongside Gemini's rollout, Google commits to ongoing support for Waze, the mapping app it acquired in 2013. Rather than redirecting all innovations to its own Maps, Google plans to introduce new features and updates to Waze, enhancing its utility within the Android Auto ecosystem. This dual-support strategy ensures varied navigation options for users who prefer Waze's community-driven alerts and real-time traffic reporting. A recent Waze update, reported by Android Police, addresses connectivity challenges in Android Auto setups. When an Android smartphone connects to an Android Auto head unit, Waze now remains active on the phone itself. This allows users to search for locations or scroll maps directly on the smartphone screen, which often proves more intuitive than navigating via the vehicle's display. The update proves particularly valuable for vehicles with head units lacking touchscreens or featuring lower-quality aftermarket interfaces with unreliable touch responses. By keeping Waze operational on the phone, drivers gain flexibility in managing navigation, especially in systems where the infotainment display limits interaction efficiency. These developments reflect Google's strategy to evolve in-car technology through AI integration and sustained app ecosystem support. The author of the original reporting, Leon Poultney, serves as an EVs correspondent with nearly two decades of experience in automotive and technology coverage. His work spans in-car entertainment systems to automated manufacturing processes, with a current emphasis on electric vehicles. Poultney anticipates future shifts toward technologies like electric vertical take-off and landing craft, while personally engaging with traditional motorcycles outside professional duties.