How to Change Your Default Digital Assistant on Android
If you’re looking to change up your digital assistant, it’s pretty simple. You’ll find it as an option in the Default Apps menu. However, getting to that point is a little different depending on what version of Android you’re using.
You can also use this method to set Cortana as the default digital assistant if that’s what you prefer.
Stock Android 8.x
If you use a modern handset that runs stock Android Oreo (8.x), you will find the default apps menu has moved from older versions of the operating system.
First, head into Settings by pulling down the notification shade and tapping the cog icon. Then scroll down and tap “Apps & Notifications”.
Scroll to the very bottom, expand the “Advanced Options” section, and then tap the “Default Apps” option.
Tap the “Assist & Voice Input” setting.
In this menu, the top entry, “Assist App” is where you’ll specific your default assistant.
Pick your favorite and away you go.
Stock Android 7.x (and Below)
If you’re using a handset with a slightly older version of Android (but one that still has access to the Google Assistant), the menus are slightly different.
Head into the Settings menu by pulling down the notification shade and tapping the cog icon. Then, tap the “Apps” option.
In the Apps menu, tap the cog icon in the upper right corner. This opens the Configure Apps page, where you’ll find the default settings. Tap the “Assist & Voice Input” option
Tap “Assist App” and choose your favorite.
Samsung Galaxy Android
Samsung Galaxy phones use a modified version of Android, so things are laid out a little differently. The good news is that changing the digital assistant is the same on all the modern Galaxy phones—from the S7 to the S9 and everything in between.
First, pull down the notification shade and tap the cog icon to head into the Settings menu. From there, tap the “Apps” entry.
In the Apps menu, tap the three dots in the upper right corner, then choose the “Default Apps” setting.
Tap the “Device Assistance App” entry, and then tap “Device Assistance App” on the next screen.
Pick your preferred digital assistant.
