What you need to know
- The familiar “Hey Google & Voice Match” settings page in the Gemini app is being renamed to “Talk to Gemini hands-free.”
- The latest Gemini app update shows Assistant labels being replaced with Gemini throughout the wake-word setup flow.
- Expect more rebrands as March 2026 approaches, with Assistant’s name disappearing from more menus across Android.
In a significant shift within the Android ecosystem, Google is methodically phasing out the classic Google Assistant branding. This transition is evident as the company reworks one of the most recognizable features of its operating system—the settings for activating “Hey Google.” Recently highlighted by Android Authority, the Gemini app is undergoing a transformation, with the traditional “Hey Google & Voice Match” section soon to be rebranded as “Talk to Gemini hands-free.”
As Google pivots towards integrating the mobile Assistant experience into its Gemini platform, the classic Assistant is set to be retired from most devices in the near future. This strategic move signals a broader rebranding effort that will reshape user interactions across Android.
The function remains the same
Despite the changes in branding, the core functionality of voice recognition remains intact. Users will still train their voice models and activate the system by saying “Hey Google.” The technology will continue to verify the user’s identity before delivering personalized results. However, the surrounding experience is evolving; the setup process, header text, and branding now prominently feature Gemini.
For the average user, the phone will continue to respond to “Hey Google,” but the context in which this command is used will increasingly reflect the new Gemini identity. The hands-free controls that users have come to rely on will remain, albeit under the fresh guise of Google’s latest AI branding.
As we approach the anticipated retirement of Assistant in March 2026, users can expect to see a gradual increase in menu renames, more instances of Gemini branding replacing the old Assistant references, and a diminishing presence of the classic name across the Android interface.
