Overview
- Multiple tech outlets reported late September that the “Switch to Google Assistant” button vanished from Gemini settings, making the move effectively permanent for many users.
- Google told users in August that it would phase out Google Assistant and said on Sept. 3 it would begin a multiweek shutdown to migrate people to Gemini.
- Reports say the change coincided for some users with a Google App update to v17.62.9, but Google has presented the rollout as a planned phased transition rather than confirming that specific update as the trigger.
- The switch affects phones and devices paired to them, including Wear OS watches, Gemini-capable earbuds and headphones, and Android Auto, which will now route assistant queries to Gemini.
- The practical impact is a loss of an easy opt-out for people who prefer Assistant, so users should watch for Google statements on feature parity, settings restoration, and any fixes or options in future Google App updates.