Android's Gemini Rollout Delayed: Google Assistant Stays Until 2026

Google has extended the timeline for replacing Google Assistant with Gemini on Android devices into 2026. The original plan aimed to complete the switch by the end of 2025. The company announced the delay on its Gemini Apps forum, citing the need for a smoother user experience during the transition.

While the full mobile integration is now expected later, Gemini is already functional on other platforms. Users can currently access Gemini on smartwatches and within cars.

**The Gradual Shift Away From Google Assistant**

Launched in 2016, Google Assistant has been Google's primary voice assistant for almost a decade. The rise of generative AI prompted Google to announce in March 2025 that Gemini would take over from Assistant on most mobile devices. This change represents a significant evolution in how users interact with their Android phones and tablets.

Once the transition is complete, Google Assistant will no longer be available on devices meeting Gemini's minimum requirements: Android 10 or later with at least 2GB of RAM. Furthermore, the standalone Google Assistant app will be removed from mobile app stores.

**Gemini's Expanding Presence**

Despite the mobile delay, Google has successfully integrated Gemini into other areas. Gemini is already available on Wear OS smartwatches, Android Auto, and Google Home devices. Google recently introduced features that allow users to make calls, set timers, and send messages through Gemini, without requiring mandatory AI training data collection. The company plans to release further details about the revised rollout schedule in the coming months, though a specific deadline in 2026 has not been set.