How to Turn Off Google Assistant on Any Device (Step-by-Step Guide)

As a product of Google, the voice-controlled virtual assistant named Google Assistant enables users to retrieve information, execute tasks, and operate smart home appliances through verbal instructions. Some users disable Google Assistant because they need privacy or because they find it distracting or annoying even though the service provides many useful functions.

In this detailed guide, we will explain all methods of how to turn off Google Assistant on Android as well as iPhones and iPads and Google Nest speakers and displays through the "Hey Google" command.

Why Users Might Want to Turn Off Google Assistant?

Users have multiple reasons to disable Google Assistant service including:

• Privacy concerns - The "Hey Google" wake word detection system operated by Google Assistant works continuously which raises privacy issues because it listens permanently. Some users are uncomfortable with a device always “listening”.
• Battery drain - Having Google Assistant active can drain battery life, especially on mobile devices. Turning it off can help conserve battery power.
• Distracting/annoying - Some users find the Assistant’s unprompted notifications or reminders distracting or annoying. Disabling the Assistant eliminates this issue.
• Interference issues - Google Assistant can sometimes activate at the wrong times due to background noise. Turning off the hot word/wake word prevents this from happening.
• Limited usefulness - Users who don’t utilize voice commands very often may wish to disable Google Assistant completely if they find it has limited usefulness for them personally.

How to Turn Off Google Assistant on Android?

The process of how to turn off Google Assistant on Android phones blocks both the "Hey Google" detection system and voice-activated functions. If you are wondering how do I turn off Google Assistant on Android, here’s how to disable it:

1. Open the Google App

Open the Google app on your Android phone or tablet. This is the app with the “G” logo that allows you to conduct Google searches.

2. Tap Your Profile Picture

In the upper right corner of the Google app, tap your profile icon or picture. This opens a drop-down menu.

3. Select Settings

In the drop-down menu, select Settings to open the Google Assistant settings menu.

4. Open Google Assistant Settings

In the settings menu, find and select the Google Assistant option. This will display the main Google Assistant settings page.

5. Go to General Settings

Scroll down and select General under the All Settings section.

6. Turn Off Google Assistant

On the General settings page, find the toggle switch next to “Google Assistant”. Turn this switch off to completely disable Google Assistant on your Android device.

How to Turn Off Google Assistant on iPhone and iPad?

Google Assistant will no longer respond when you say “Hey Google”, preventing any unwanted voice interactions. To turn off Google Assistant on an iOS device like an iPhone or iPad, the steps are similar:

1. Open the Google App

As with Android devices, start by opening the Google app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap the app icon with the red, yellow, green, and blue “G” logo.

2. Go to Account Settings

Tap your account icon or profile picture in the top right corner of the app, then select Settings from the drop-down menu.

3. Select Google Assistant

On the settings menu, scroll down and tap Google Assistant.

4. Turn Off “Hey Google”

On the Google Assistant settings page, find the Hey Google section. Toggle the switch next to “Hey Google” off to disable the wake word.

How to Turn Google Assistant Off on Google Nest Speakers?

During the scheduled Downtime hours, Google Assistant microphones on that device will be completely turned off. Then Assistant automatically re-enables once the scheduled Downtime period expires.

This allows you to temporarily turn off Google Assistant without having to reconnect the device or change additional settings later on.
For Google Nest smart speakers and displays like the Nest Mini, Nest Hub Max, and Nest Audio, turning off Google Assistant works a bit differently.

Here are the steps to disable Google Assistant on Google Nest devices:

1. Open the Google Home app
2. Select the Nest speaker/display you want to disable
3. Tap Notifications and digital wellbeing
4. Select Digital wellbeing
5. Choose the device under Devices
6. Set the Downtime hours you want the Assistant disabled

How to Turn Off Hey Google Voice Assistant?

With the hot word/wake word turned off, you’ll have to manually launch Google Assistant by long pressing the home button (Android devices) or pressing the mic button (Google Nest devices).
If you only want to disable the “Hey Google” hot word/wake word functionality - but keep Google Assistant-enabled for manual activation via a button press - there are a couple of options for how to turn off Google Assistant voice:

• On Android devices, uncheck “Voice Match” and “Hey Google” in Google Assistant settings
• On Google Nest speakers/displays, turn off “Let Google Assistant respond when you say Hey Google” in Recognition & Personalization settings.
• Say “Hey Google, turn off voice match” to disable hot word detection for your profile.

How to Add or Remove Cameras from Google Assistant?

Many wired and wireless home security cameras and systems like Reolink Home Hub with Argus PT Ultra and Home Hub with Argus 4 Pro are compatible with Google Assistant. This allows you to display camera feeds on Google Nest Hub Maxes or other smart displays by voice command.

So for example, you could say "Hey Google, show me my Argus 4 Pro" and the feed would appear on your hub. Toggle cameras off in Google Home settings to remove them from voice control.

Here is how to add or remove security cameras from Google Assistant:

1. Open the Google Home app
2. Select the Nest Hub Max or other display
3. Tap Settings > Camera
4. Toggle cameras on or off under the "Cameras available to view" section
5. Say "Hey Google, show [camera name]" to display the video feed

FAQs

How do I shut off Google Assistant completely?

To completely disable Google Assistant, turn off "Google Assistant" in the settings menu of the Google app on your Android or iOS device. For Google Nest devices, schedule extended "Downtime" via the Google Home app.

How do I stop Google Assistant from randomly popping up?

If Google Assistant seems to be activating unexpectedly, turn off "Hey Google" voice detection and "Voice Match" in Google Assistant settings. Also, make sure you don't have the Google app open to a voice search page.

Why does my Google Assistant keep turning itself back on?

If Assistant reactivates randomly, check for recent Google app or Android OS updates on your device - sometimes updates revert settings changes. You can also uninstall any updates to temporarily disable auto updates that might be reverting your settings.

Conclusion

Whether for privacy reasons, battery concerns, or just finding it distracting, many users want to control when and how Google Assistant activates on their devices.As we covered in this guide, disabling Google Assistant works a bit differently depending on if you want to turn it off on an Android device, iPhone, or Google Nest smart speaker, or just disable “Hey Google” hot word detection. But in all cases, it just takes a few taps in the appropriate app settings.

What has your experience been with controlling Google Assistant on your devices? Do you find the voice assistant helpful or more of a nuisance? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.