Google’s AI assistant Gemini is undergoing significant changes as it prepares to fully replace Google Assistant on Android devices later this year. Recent updates have addressed privacy concerns, restored beloved features, and expanded functionality all while maintaining user control over their data.
Privacy First: New App Access Without Data Sharing
Starting July 7, 2025, Gemini users received welcome news about enhanced privacy controls. Google announced that users can now access key phone functions through Gemini without enabling the controversial “Gemini Apps Activity” setting.
Previously, users faced an uncomfortable choice. They could either turn on Apps Activity allowing Google to store conversations and use them for AI training or lose access to essential features like making calls, sending messages, and controlling device utilities. This all-or-nothing approach frustrated many privacy-conscious users.
The new update changes this dynamic completely. Users can now ask Gemini to handle phone calls, text messages, WhatsApp communications, and device utilities regardless of their Apps Activity setting. When this setting remains disabled, Google won’t review conversations or use them to improve AI models.
“This update is good for users,” Google clarified in a statement to Android Authority. “They can now use Gemini to complete daily tasks on their mobile devices like send messages, initiate phone calls, and set timers while Gemini Apps Activity is turned off.”
However, Google still maintains a 72-hour storage period for all interactions, citing safety and security purposes. This brief retention period applies regardless of privacy settings and has been standard practice since Gemini’s predecessor, Bard.
Song Recognition Returns to Voice Commands
Music lovers rejoiced when Gemini finally gained the ability to identify songs through voice commands. For months after Google Assistant’s gradual phase-out, users asking “what song is this?” received unhelpful responses directing them to download music recognition apps.
The frustration was palpable among longtime Google Assistant users. How-To Geek noted how this represented “a big step backward from the Assistant experience we’d gotten used to, forcing people to go elsewhere for something that used to be so easy.”
Recent updates have restored this functionality, though with a slight twist. When users ask Gemini to identify music, it now launches Google’s Song Search feature. The familiar pulsating sphere appears on screen while listening, and results open within the Google app rather than displaying inline.
While not as seamless as the original Assistant implementation, this represents a significant improvement. 9to5Google reported that the feature works reliably on Android devices, though iOS users still lack this capability.
The Technical Details Behind Privacy Changes
The privacy updates reflect Google’s broader strategy to make Gemini a viable Assistant replacement without compromising user choice. The company faced criticism for forcing users to choose between functionality and privacy a false dichotomy that many found unacceptable.
Under the previous system, enabling Apps Activity meant conversations could be “used to provide, improve, develop, and personalize Google products and AI models.” This broad language concerned privacy advocates who worried about extensive data collection.
The new approach separates functionality from data collection. Users can access phone controls, messaging capabilities, and system utilities without contributing to Google’s AI training datasets. Android Police initially raised concerns about the changes but later updated their coverage to reflect the privacy benefits.
Google’s email to users initially caused confusion with its vague wording about Gemini accessing apps “whether your Gemini Apps Activity is on or off.” Some interpreted this as unrestricted access to private data. However, Engadget clarified that users retain full control over app connections and can disable them at any time.
Preparing for the Assistant Transition
These updates arrive at a crucial time as Google prepares to fully deprecate Assistant in favor of Gemini later in 2025. The transition represents one of the most significant changes to Android’s user experience in years.
Google Assistant has served as Android’s primary voice interface for nearly a decade. Users have grown accustomed to its capabilities, from basic queries to complex device control. Gemini must match this functionality while offering enhanced AI capabilities.
The song identification feature exemplifies this challenge. The Verge noted how the update “aims to make it easier to use Gemini as a personal assistant without sacrificing your data privacy.” This balance between functionality and privacy will define Gemini’s success as an Assistant replacement.
Current Gemini users on Pixel devices already experience this transition firsthand. The AI assistant handles voice commands, controls smart home devices, and manages phone functions. However, feature parity with Assistant remains incomplete, leading to occasional user frustration.
User Experience and Adoption Challenges
The transition hasn’t been entirely smooth. Some users report decreased reliability compared to Assistant, particularly for navigation commands and complex queries. Comments on tech forums reveal frustration with Gemini’s occasional “I don’t understand” responses to previously reliable commands.
These growing pains reflect the complexity of replacing an established system. Assistant benefited from years of refinement and user feedback. Gemini must rapidly achieve similar reliability while incorporating advanced AI capabilities.
The privacy updates address one major adoption barrier. Users who previously avoided Gemini due to data collection concerns can now access core features without compromising their privacy preferences. This expanded accessibility should accelerate adoption as the Assistant phase-out continues.
Google’s approach of gradual feature rollouts allows for testing and refinement before the complete transition. Each update brings Gemini closer to feature parity with Assistant while maintaining its AI advantages.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Android Voice Interaction
The Gemini transition represents more than a simple assistant replacement it signals Android’s evolution toward AI-first interaction. Unlike Assistant’s rule-based responses, Gemini offers conversational AI capabilities that can understand context and provide more nuanced assistance.
These capabilities come with trade-offs. AI responses require more processing power and data, potentially affecting battery life and performance. The privacy updates help address data concerns, but computational requirements remain.
Google’s success with this transition will influence the broader mobile AI landscape. Apple’s Siri and other voice assistants face similar pressures to incorporate advanced AI while maintaining user trust and privacy.
The July 7 privacy update marks a significant milestone in this journey. By decoupling functionality from data collection, Google demonstrates that AI assistants can be both powerful and privacy-conscious. This approach may become the industry standard as AI capabilities continue expanding.
Sources
- The Verge – Gemini is getting ready to replace Google Assistant on Android
- 9to5Google – Gemini on Android can finally identify music with Song Search
- How-To Geek – Gemini Can Finally Do One of Google Assistant’s Oldest Tricks
- Android Police – Upcoming Gemini for Android change lets you use more apps with fewer privacy concerns
- Engadget – What do Google’s Gemini privacy changes actually mean?
