- Google removes the option to switch back to Google Assistant in the stable version 17.60 and the beta version 17.62 of the app.
- Android Auto now handles voice commands with Gemini, with no official alternative inside the car.
- The transition is being implemented in stages across Europe and the United States, with exceptions for Google Nest and Google Home.
- The usual functions are maintained, but it is advisable to review custom routines and commands.
Google has made a move in one of the most sensitive areas for those who use their phones in the car. In Android Auto, the company has stopped offering the option to revert to Google Assistant and has instead assigned Gemini to process voice commands. The change is already visible in recent versions of the app and affects users in Spain and the rest of Europe who have a phone linked to the infotainment system.
The transition hasn't been immediate. Google delayed the switchover due to bugs detected in the automotive environment, but the setting to change assistants has been disappearing from the stable 17.60 and beta 17.62 versions. In practice, Android Auto users will have to use Gemini for their queries, without a button to return to the classic assistant , except on specific home devices.
Gemini takes over from Google Assistant in Android Auto
The key issue isn't just that Gemini has been the default assistant for months, but that the way to revert to Google Assistant has been removed. In tests conducted with a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, a POCO F9 Ultra, and a vivo X300 Pro, all running the Google app in beta version 17.62, the "Switch to Google Assistant" option was missing . The same was observed in the stable version 17.60, reinforcing the idea that this isn't a temporary oversight.
Android Auto is among the environments linked to this change. When projecting the phone's screen onto the car's display, voice commands are routed through Gemini, and the previous assistant can no longer be selected. It's important to distinguish between Android Auto and Android Automotive: the former depends on the phone, while the latter is a platform integrated into some vehicles. Google announced in November 2025 that Gemini would be available on Android Auto in 45 languages for those who had previously activated it on their phones.
The way you use it hasn't changed much. You can activate it by saying "Hey Google," tapping the microphone icon on the central screen, or pressing and holding the voice button on the steering wheel. Gemini can read and summarize messages, search for information in Gmail, play music, and set destinations or stops in navigation apps. Those who rely on very specific routines or commands should check that everything still works the same, because the semantic architecture isn't the same as Assistant's.
A phased change, irreversible and with exceptions
Google set the start of the gradual withdrawal for September 4, 2026, and warned that the process could take several weeks. The company had announced as early as 2025 that it would migrate more Assistant users to Gemini. Although the rollout is progressing in phases, the disappearance of the "back" setting in recent versions suggests that the migration is irreversible for compatible mobile devices and vehicles.
There is one exception that remains for now: Google Nest and Google Home smart speakers and displays continue to support Google Assistant. Reports indicate that this is a temporary and residual continuation, not a plan to retain the old assistant. In Android Auto, however, Google intends for Gemini to be the sole gateway for voice commands.
For drivers, the advice is to review the settings after the update. The most common actions, such as making calls, sending messages, or starting a route, remain available and in many cases work the same or better. The significant change is that there is no longer an official alternative to Gemini within Android Auto, so it's worth adapting your routines and verifying that your custom commands respond as expected.
The move ushers Android Auto into a new phase: Gemini takes over voice control, Google Assistant loses its presence in the car, and the back button is removed from the app. The transition is being rolled out gradually, with Spain and Europe among the affected regions, but recent versions already show that there's no going back for linked devices. Only Nest and Home speakers and displays currently support the traditional assistant, while car users will have to get used to speaking to Gemini while driving.
