How to Turn Off Google Assistant

Disable the OK Google command when you've had enough

by
Kayla Matthews
Kayla Matthews
Writer
Kayla Matthews is a former Lifewire writer who specialized in Android, gaming, and other topics. She's also a writer at MakeUseOf, Digital Trends and The Next Web.
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Kayla Matthews
Updated on August 19, 2021
reviewed by
Lisa Mildon
Lisa Mildon
Lifewire Technology Review Board Member & Writer
Lisa Mildon is a Lifewire writer and an IT professional with 30 years of experience. Her writing has appeared in Geekisphere and other publications.
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Article reviewed on Jul 30, 2020
Lisa Mildon

What to Know

  • Android: Settings > Google > Account Services > Search, Assistant & Voice > Google Assistant. Tap Phone. Toggle off Google Assistant.
  • iOS: Go to Settings > Google Assistant > Microphone and slide the switch to Off.

This article explains how to disable Google Assistant, also known as OK Google, on your Android or iOS phone. It also explains how to disable Google Assistant on a smartwatch. The instructions in this article apply to Android version 10 and higher and iOS 14 through iOS 11.

Turn Off OK Google on an Android Phone

If you want to turn off OK Google on your smartphone or tablet, follow the steps below:

  1. Open your phone's Settings app.

  2. Select Google > Account Services > Search, Assistant & Voice.

    Steps for turning off OK Google on a smartphone

  3. Tap Google Assistant. Select the Assistant tab, and then scroll down to the Assistant devices section and tap Phone.

  4. Tap on the Google Assistant slider to turn it off.

    Steps for turning off OK Google on a smartphone

Turn Off OK Google on an Android Smartwatch

To turn off Google Assistant on your Android Watch, tap the Settings cog icon and choose Personalization. From there, toggle OK Google Detection to off.

Turn Off OK Google on iOS

If you use the Google Assistant app on an iOS device, make it stop listening for your verbal commands by turning off the microphone. Go to Settings > Google Assistant > Microphone and slide the switch to Off.

This method doesn't disable Google Assistant completely. You can still type your requests.

Another way to turn off OK Google on iOS is to delete the app. This works the same as it does for every other iOS app. Press down on the app's icon on the home screen, wait for it to start wiggling, and then tap the X in the corner or press and choose Remove App, depending on your iOS version.

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