How to change the default assistant on Android
Your default assistant is the app that opens when you long-press the power or home button, or swipe up from a bottom corner of the screen. You can change it in about a minute. Here's how on the most common phones, and what to check if it doesn't work.
What “default assistant” means
Android lets one app at a time be your digital assistant app. It's the app that opens with your phone's assistant gesture or button, and the one that can see what's on screen when you ask it to.
Two things are separate from it. Your voice-typing keyboard (the microphone on your keyboard) is set elsewhere. And some apps listen for their own wake word — like “Hey Kora” — whether or not they're your default assistant.
The quick way (works on most phones)
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps.
- Tap Default apps (on Samsung: Choose default apps).
- Tap Digital assistant app (sometimes called Assist & voice input or Device assistance app).
- Tap Default digital assistant app and pick the app you want.
- Confirm when Android asks.
Can't find it? Use the search bar at the top of Settings and type assistant. Menu names vary a little between brands and Android versions.
Samsung Galaxy
- Settings → Apps → Choose default apps.
- Tap Digital assistant app, then Device assistance app, and choose your assistant.
Samsung phones also let you decide what pressing and holding the side button does — open Bixby, show the power menu, or open your digital assistant. Look under Settings → Advanced features → Side button. The exact options depend on your One UI version.
Google Pixel
- Settings → Apps → Default apps → Digital assistant app.
- Tap Default digital assistant app and choose.
To open the assistant by holding the power button, check Settings → System → Gestures → Press and hold power button.
Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO, OPPO, Tecno, Infinix and others
Most brands follow the same pattern: Settings → Apps → Default apps → Digital assistant (or Assist & voice input). On some Xiaomi phones, default apps sit behind the ⋮ menu inside Manage apps.
If the menu isn't where you expect, searching Settings for assistant or default apps almost always finds it.
Which assistant should you choose?
Only apps that support Android's assistant role appear in the list. Common choices are Google's Gemini (the default on most new phones), ChatGPT, Perplexity and Kora. A few questions help you decide:
- Do you want answers or actions? Some assistants are best at conversation; others are built to send the message or set the reminder for you.
- Which apps do you live in? Google's assistant is strongest inside Google's own apps. Kora focuses on everyday apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, your calendar and music.
- Which language do you speak? Check that the assistant understands you — and answers — in your language.
- Privacy: look for one that confirms before sending anything on your behalf.
If it doesn't work
- The app isn't in the list: update it from Google Play. Only apps that support the assistant role appear.
- The gesture still opens the old assistant: check what your side or power button is set to (see the Samsung and Pixel sections above), then restart the phone.
- “Hey Google” stopped working: that's expected — it belongs to Google's assistant, and usually only works while Google is your default.
- Work phone: a company-managed phone may lock this setting.
How to switch back
Go to the same menu — Settings → Apps → Default apps → Digital assistant app — and choose Google (or None). Nothing is deleted when you switch; your apps and their data stay exactly as they were.
Common questions
Can I have two default assistants?
No, Android allows one default at a time. You can still open any other assistant app normally, and apps with their own wake word can keep listening for it.
Does changing the default assistant delete anything?
No. It only changes which app opens with the assistant gesture or button. You can switch back at any time.
Why doesn't my assistant appear in the list?
Only apps that support Android's assistant role are listed. Update the app from Google Play; if it still isn't there, that app can't be set as the default.
Can Kora be my default assistant?
Yes. Install Kora, then either tap “Set as default assistant” in the app or choose Kora in Settings → Apps → Default apps → Digital assistant app.
