How do I change the default voice command on my Android?

A default voice command on Android devices is the phrase users say to activate voice control and issue voice commands. This is usually “Ok Google” on Google Assistant-enabled devices or “Hey Google” on newer Pixel phones. However, users may want to change the default activation phrase for several reasons:

First, the default phrase can sometimes lead to accidental activations of voice control when words in conversations sound similar. Changing to a unique phrase prevents this annoyance. Second, some users want an activation phrase that is quicker or more natural for them to say. Choosing a short one or two word phrase allows for faster voice commands. Third, having a personalized activation phrase can make the device feel more customized to the user’s preferences. Finally, users may want to change the phrase just for fun or novelty purposes.

Knowing how to change the default voice activation phrase allows Android users to improve their experience and customize an important device function. This article will explain the steps involved for different Android variations.

Determine Default App

The first step is to figure out which app or service is currently set as the default for voice commands on your Android device. This will allow you to know if you need to change the default or simply adjust settings within the existing default app. There are a few ways to check which app is currently set as the voice command default:

Open your device’s Settings app and go to Apps > Default apps. Look for an “Assist & voice input” option, and it will show the app that is currently set as default. On Samsung devices, this may be listed as “Digital assistant app” under Default apps (https://support.google.com/accessibility/android/answer/6151848?hl=en).

Try triggering a voice command on your device, for example saying “Ok Google” or “Alexa”. See which app opens up or processes the command. This will indicate the current default voice app.

Install a voice command app like Google Assistant if you don’t already have one. Go into its settings or details and look for an option like “Assist app” or “Default app”. It may specify if it is currently set as the default or not.

On Pixel devices, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Advanced > Default apps > Assist & voice input. It will show you which app is set up as the current default for voice commands (https://www.reddit.com/r/tasker/comments/ork1zf/anyone_know_where_to_change_the_default_app_for/).

Make Chrome Your Default Voice App

To set Google Chrome as your default voice app on Android:

Open the Chrome app.
Tap the three vertical dots in the top right corner to open the menu.
Select Settings.

Scroll down and tap Default apps.
Under “Assist app,” tap the current selection, which will show a list of available apps.
Select Google Chrome from the list.

Chrome will now launch for voice commands instead of the previous default app like Google or Bixby. You can follow these steps again at any time to change the default back or select a different app.

Source: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95417?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid

Samsung Bixby

Samsung’s Bixby assistant comes pre-installed on most Samsung Galaxy devices. To make Bixby the default voice assistant:

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Tap on “Apps”.

3. Tap on “Default apps”.

4. Tap on “Digital assistant app”.

5. Select “Bixby” from the list.

Bixby should now be set as the default assistant app on your Samsung device. You can invoke it by pressing the Bixby button or saying “Hi Bixby”.

To customize Bixby, open the Bixby app and tap the 3 dots at the top right. Here you can train Bixby to recognize your voice better for more accurate voice commands. You can also view privacy settings and other options.

For more details, refer to Samsung’s guide on changing the default assistant on Galaxy devices.

Alexa

To make Alexa the default voice assistant on your Android device, first open the Settings menu and search for “Assist app” or “Default apps.” Tap on “Assist & voice input” or “Default apps” and select “Assist app.” Here you will see options for “Default assist app.” Choose “Alexa” from the options.

According to Amazon’s help guide, after selecting Alexa, you may need to tap “Always” to confirm making it the default app. Now Alexa should launch for voice commands when you hold down your home button or say “Hey Alexa.”

If you run into any issues setting Alexa as the default, check that the Alexa app is installed and you are logged into your Amazon account. You may also need to grant various permissions to the Alexa app under Settings. Overall the process is straightforward – just select Alexa under your device’s default apps menu.

Make Google Assistant the Default

Google Assistant comes pre-installed on many Android devices, making it easy to set as the default voice assistant. Here are the steps to make Google Assistant the default on your Android device:

1. Say “Hey Google, open Assistant settings” to open the Google Assistant settings menu. You can also find the Google app and open settings from there.

2. Under “All settings,” tap General and then Preferred input.

3. Choose Google Assistant as the preferred option. This will make Google Assistant the default assistant across your device.

4. You can also go into individual apps like Google Maps and set Google Assistant as the preferred voice assistant in those apps (cite: https://support.google.com/assistant/answer/7172657?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid).

Now Google Assistant will be activated for voice commands instead of the previous default assistant on your Android device.

Third-Party Apps

In addition to the default voice assistants that come pre-installed on Android devices, there are many high-quality third-party apps you can download to set as your preferred voice assistant. Some top options include:

Dragon Assistant is a highly-rated voice command app that works offline without an internet connection. It can make calls, set reminders, play music, and automate phone functions through custom voice commands. Dragon Assistant has a free version with limited features and a premium version with expanded functionality for $4.99. https://www.valuecoders.com/blog/technology-and-apps/10-excellent-personal-assistant-ai-apps-for-android-phone/

Cortana is Microsoft’s digital assistant, available as a free downloadable app for Android. Cortana can set reminders, place calls, dictate texts, play music, and answer natural language questions. With full offline capabilities, Cortana provides robust functionality rivaling leading assistants. https://www.androidauthority.com/best-personal-assistant-apps-android-667299/

Hound is an intelligent voice assistant app praised for its fast response time and precise answers to queries. It can understand context and follow-up questions better than many rivals. Hound has free ad-supported and ad-free premium tiers available. https://repairit.wondershare.com/ai-tools/top-virtual-assistant-in-android.html

Via Settings

You can change the default voice assistant on your Android device directly through the system settings menu. Here are the steps:

On Samsung devices like the Galaxy S22 or Galaxy Watch, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Digital assistant app and select your preferred voice assistant app like Google or Alexa. This will set it as the default assistant when using voice commands or the Bixby button (Samsung).

On other Android phones, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Default apps > Assist & voice input and select your preferred assistant app. Many devices from LG, Motorola, OnePlus and others use this method (CNET).

After changing the default in settings, your chosen assistant should now activate when you use voice commands like “Ok Google” or “Alexa”. Make sure the assistant app is updated to the latest version and permissions are enabled for it to work properly.

Troubleshooting

If you are unable to change the default voice assistant app, here are some things to try:

Clear the defaults: Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Assist app and select “Clear defaults.” This will reset any default that was previously set.

Force stop the default app: Open Settings > Apps, select the current default voice assistant app, and choose “Force stop.” This will stop the app from running in the background.

Clear app data: In Settings > Apps, select the current default and tap “Clear data.” This will reset the app and remove any settings or customization.

Restart your device: Sometimes a simple reboot can clear up issues with default apps not changing. Shut down your phone completely and restart it.

Check app permissions: Make sure the new voice assistant you want to set has all required permissions enabled, like microphone access.

Update apps: Go to the Play Store and check for any available updates for the voice assistant apps. Install updates if available.

Factory reset: As a last resort, you can back up your data and perform a factory reset. This will erase all defaults and restore your device to original settings.

Conclusion

In summary, there are a few different ways to change the default voice assistant on Android devices. The main options are using the built-in Google Assistant, Samsung Bixby, Alexa app, or third-party voice assistant apps. The easiest way for most users is to go into the Settings app and find the Default Apps section, where you can select which assistant app handles voice commands. Keep in mind that some manufacturers like Samsung may not allow changing the default from their own Bixby assistant.

When changing the default voice app, be sure to grant the necessary permissions so it can function properly. You may need to turn on app permissions for microphone access, making phone calls, sending texts, and more depending on the capabilities of the assistant. If you run into any issues with voice commands no longer working after a change, double check that permissions were granted correctly.

Overall, the ability to customize Android and set a preferred voice assistant is a useful accessibility feature. With some quick settings adjustments, you can configure your device to be controlled hands-free using your voice according to your needs and preferences.