Google Assistant to Gemini Transition: Preparation Underway [App Teardown]

AI

📝 Key Points of This Article

• Google appears to be preparing for “Gemini” to absorb “Google Assistant” rather than a full, complete migration away from the latter.
• An analysis of the Android “Google” app v17.11.56 update reveals new resource code, codenamed “Robin v2,” which outlines updated operational specifications for the AI assistant on the lock screen.
• The code indicates that even after a full transition to Gemini, certain features like “Routines” tied to Google Assistant will continue to function seamlessly in the background.

Although it was originally announced that Google would complete the transition to its AI “Gemini” by the end of 2025, “Google Assistant” still remains as of late March 2026, and the full migration has yet to be implemented.

In the midst of this, an app teardown of the Android “Google” app v17.8.62 update released on Friday, March 6, 2026, confirmed the addition of resource code regarding a “Google Assistant is gone now” system alert, revealing that internal preparations for the full transition are indeed underway.

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That said, the reason the full transition to Gemini has not yet occurred is due to the existence of certain “Routines” and other features that are compatible with Google Assistant but not yet with Gemini. It is likely that Google has been unable to carry out a total, simultaneous migration because it would negatively impact users who still rely on these features.

However, as a solution to this, it appears Google is laying the groundwork for Gemini to absorb Google Assistant, rather than completely replacing it. This was discovered through an app analysis.

Analysis of the Android “Google” app v17.11.56 update, released on Thursday, March 26, 2026, confirmed the addition of resource code codenamed “Robin v2,” which indicates updated operational specifications for the AI assistant on the lock screen.

<string name="assistant_lockscreen_settings_title_robin_v2">Google Assistant on lock screen</string>
<string name="assistant_on_lockscreen_description_robin_v2_with_extensions">Get Gemini’s help with quick voice actions powered by Google Assistant (like Routines) when your device is locked. For Routines that access personal results, say “Hey Google” so Gemini can recognize you with Voice Match.</string>
<string name="assistant_lockscreen_settings_footer_robin_device_utilities_with_routines">For hands-free help from Gemini when your device is locked, turn on %1$s n nTo get Gemini’s help with answers to general questions and actions supported by the Utilities extension when your device is locked, go to your %2$s Actions in Routines will not follow your Gemini extensions lock screen settings above.</string>

<string name="assistant_lockscreen_settings_title_robin_v2">ロック画面での Google アシスタントの使用</string>
<string name="assistant_on_lockscreen_description_robin_v2_with_extensions">デバイスがロックされているときに、Google アシスタントのクイック音声操作（ルーティンなど）を Gemini で使用できます。アカウントに基づく情報にアクセスするルーティンの場合は「OK Google」と言ってください。これにより、Gemini が Voice Match であなたの声を認識します。</string>
<string name="assistant_lockscreen_settings_footer_robin_device_utilities_with_routines">デバイスがロックされているときにハンズフリーで Gemini を利用するには、%1$s を ON にします。n nデバイスがロックされているときに、Gemini から一般的な質問への回答を得たりユーティリティ拡張機能でサポートされている操作を行ったりするには、%2$sにアクセスしてください。n nルーティン内のアクションには、上記の Gemini 拡張機能のロック画面設定は適用されません。</string>

This “Robin v2” resource code indicates that when a user has set Gemini as their default AI assistant on their Android device, Google Assistant will continue to function seamlessly in the background for certain features like Routines. Additionally, the text is prepared to inform users—within the “Digital Assistant” selection settings on Android—that Google Assistant may still operate in the background even when Gemini is selected.

In short, it has become clear that even if a full transition to Gemini were to occur, Google Assistant would effectively live on in the background, and Google is proactively making preparations to avoid potential user confusion. We might see an announcement regarding the full transition to Gemini at the “Google I/O 2026” developer event this coming May.

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