How to enable Google Assistant on non-Google phones

After it was introduced in February 2017 for all non-Pixel Android devices, most users are still waiting for their turn to get a hold on Google Assistant. Android O is almost here and we are still waiting and waiting for Google premium features to come to non-Google phones.

Not if it’s up to us! There’s always a way to implement Google exclusives on any Android device, but most of the time, you’ll need to root your phone. Luckily, that’s not the case with the Google Assistant integration. Below, we prepared a thorough, step-by-step explanation on how to get Android Assistant on any Android phone or tablet. You’ll only need at least Marshmallow and a bit of patience. Everything else is our concern.

How to install Pixel’s exclusive Assistant on any Android device (Marshmallow 6.0 and above)

Google Assistant is an amazing improvement over Google Now that you’ll most certainly find satisfying. It has so many features you’ll need to get a hold of, smart AI which is above the competition with a two-way conversation, and great integration in your everyday workflow. In addition, if you decide to use the voice command to summon it on all screens, you’ll be looking at an almost human-like assistant.

So, without further ado, here are the complete and detailed instructions on how to enable Google Assistant on any Android that’s packing at least Marshmallow 6.0:

Enroll in Beta testing

1. Tap Settings.
2. Open Google.
3. Tap the 3-dot menu and open Help & Feedback.
4. Tap the 3-dot menu again and choose View in Google Play Store.
5. Scroll down until you reach the ”Become a beta tester” option.
6. Tap ”I’m in” and confirm the selection.
7. Wait for some time. The beta sign-up procedure can take up to 5-20 minutes of your time.
8. Once you see that you’re in, search for Google in the Play Store’s search bar.
9. Open the Google app and navigate to the bottom.
10. Tap ”I’m in” and confirm the selection.
11. After some time, you should see available updates for both Google Play Services and Google.
12. Update both and restart your device.

Have in mind that you’ll need to wait for some time until your beta program inclusion is finished.

Configure language and clear data

1. Tap Settings.
2. Open Language and input.
3. Change primary language to English (United States).
4. Open Apps or Application Manager.
5. Tap the Google app.
6. Open Storage.
7. Choose Manage space.
8. Tap Clear All Data. Have in mind that this will delete all Google-related settings.
9. Return to Apps.
10. Open Google Play Services.
11. Tap Storage.
12. Choose Manage space.
13. Tap Clear All Data.

Set up Google Assistant

1. Open the drawer or app menu and choose the Google app.
2. Tap Get Started and then ”Yes, I’m in”.
3. Open the 3-dot menu from the left side.
4. Tap Settings.
5. Under Google Assistant, tap Settings.
6. At the bottom, you should see Google Assistant. Enable it.
7. Tap and hold the Home button to open the Google Assistant setup window.
8. Choose ”Continue” and then tap on the ”Get Started” link.
9. Here you can ”teach” the Assistant to recognize your voice by repeating ”Ok Google” 3 times.
10. That should do it.

Additional settings

These are some additional settings that should come in handy for initial use:

• Enable Ok Google anytime.
  1. Tap Settings.
  2. Open Google.
  3. Choose Search.
  4. Open Voice.
  5. Tap ”Ok Google detection”.
  6. Enable the ”Say ‘Ok Google’ any time” feature.
  7. Have in mind that this nifty feature will increase battery consumption.

• Enter Personal info.
  1. Hold the Home button to open Google Assistant.
  2. Tap the Blue Shelf icon.
  3. Open the 3-dot menu and choose Settings.
  4. Tap Personal info.
  5. Here you can add things to your liking. Home and work location and nickname that Assistant will use when referring to you. Those might be helpful, but also might not. It’s your choice.

• Explore what Google Assistant can do.
  1. Hold the Home button to open Google Assistant.
  2. Tap the Blue Shelf icon.
  3. Under the Explore card, you can roam and find all of the options Assistant enables you to use.

• Add Shortcuts.
  1. Hold the Home button to open Google Assistant.
  2. Tap the Blue Shelf icon.
  3. Open the ”Your Stuff” card.
  4. Scroll to the bottom and open Shortcuts.
  5. You can choose one of the presets or create your own shortcut. Example below.

An alternative if this didn’t work out for you

In addition, some users reported that they were unable to install the Beta versions of Google and Google Play Services in the standard manner. Fortunately, you can install those with the APK files and the instructions are shown below.

1. Download the wanted version’s APK Google and Google Play Services on your PC.
2. Extract the file with WinRar or a similar tool until you have the APK file.
3. Connect the Android device to the PC via USB and transfer the APK file to internal memory.
4. Navigate to Settings > Advanced Settings > Security, and enable Unknown sources.
5. Use a native file explorer or File Explorer to navigate to the folder where the APK file is stored.
6. Tap to install the APKs one by one.
7. After that, continue with the steps from the ”Configure language and clear data” subheading.

That should do it. We’re sure you’ll enjoy Google Assistant. Once it grows on you, the overall usability will be much more interesting. What do you reckon? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below. Thank you for reading and have a nice day.