How do I enable voice commands on Android?

Voice commands have become an increasingly popular way to interact with smartphones and other devices. On Android devices, there are a few different voice assistants available that allow you to use your voice to complete tasks, get information, and more. The most well-known assistants on Android include Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Bixby.

With a voice assistant enabled, you can do things like ask questions, set reminders and alarms, make calls, control smart home devices, play music, and much more just by speaking out loud. Voice commands provide a hands-free and convenient alternative to tapping buttons and swiping screens.

This guide will provide an overview of how to enable and use the different voice assistant options on Android devices. We’ll cover how to set up Google Assistant, Alexa, and Bixby, and highlight the key features and capabilities of each. With voice commands enabled, you can maximize the utility of your Android device just by using your voice.

Check if Your Device Supports Voice Commands

To enable voice commands on your Android, the first step is to check if your device has built-in support for this feature. Here’s how to check if voice commands are already enabled in your phone’s settings:

Open the Settings app on your Android device. Under “Apps & notifications”, look for an option called “Advanced features” or “Intelligent assistance”. If you see options for “Bixby voice” or “Google Assistant”, your phone likely supports voice commands.

You can also check under “Accessibility” settings. If you see options for “Voice Access” or “Voice Control”, then voice commands can be enabled. Samsung devices in particular have “Bixby voice” under Advanced features, while Google Pixel phones have “Voice Access”.

Lastly, look for a pre-installed app called “Google” or “Assistant”. If the Google app is present, your Android device supports the “Ok Google” voice activation feature to launch Google Assistant. Voice commands are built into the operating system for most modern Android smartphones.

Enable Google Assistant

Google Assistant comes pre-installed on most Android devices these days, but you may need to enable it in your Settings app first. Here’s how to enable Google Assistant on your Android device:

1. Open the Settings app on your Android phone or tablet.

2. Tap on “Apps & notifications”.

3. Tap on “Advanced”.

4. Tap on “Default apps”.

5. Tap on “Assist & voice input”.

6. Tap on “Assist app”.

7. Select “Google Assistant”.

8. Tap “OK”.

Google Assistant is now enabled on your device. To launch it, there are a couple different options:

1. Tap and hold the home button on your device.

2. Say “Ok Google” or “Hey Google” from any screen.

3. Swipe up from the bottom corners of your screen if you have gesture navigation enabled.

4. Tap the Google Assistant icon in your list of apps.

Once launched, you can start talking to Google Assistant and ask it questions, get information, set reminders, control smart home devices, and more.

Use Google Assistant

Google Assistant allows you to control your Android device hands-free using just your voice. Here are some examples of commands you can use with Google Assistant:

To launch apps or features, say “Ok Google, open [app name]” or “Ok Google, turn on [feature name].” For example: “Ok Google, open Spotify” or “Ok Google, turn on flashlight.”

To get information or answers, ask Google Assistant questions like “Ok Google, what’s the weather today?” or “Ok Google, how do you say hello in Spanish?”

To control music playback, use commands like “Ok Google, play my workout playlist” or “Ok Google, turn up the volume.”

To set reminders, alarms, or timers, say “Ok Google, set an alarm for 7am” or “Ok Google, remind me to call Mom in an hour.”

To make calls or send messages, say “Ok Google, call [contact name]” or “Ok Google, text Sarah I’m running late.”

Here are some tips for effective voice commands with Google Assistant:

– Speak naturally in a clear, loud voice.

– Say “Ok Google” or “Hey Google” first to activate it.

– Pay attention to the prompts and feedback.

– Phrase requests conversationally, like you’re speaking to a person.

– Specify the device name for device-specific commands like “Ok Google, play jazz music on the living room speaker.”

– You can customize Assistant to better recognize your voice over time in Settings > Google > Account Services > Search, Assistant & Voice > Voice Match.

Enable Bixby Voice

Bixby is the virtual assistant developed by Samsung for their Android devices. To enable Bixby Voice on your Samsung phone running Android:

1. Open the Settings app and tap on “Apps”.

2. Tap the three dots in the top right corner and select “Default apps”.

3. Under “Digital assistant app”, choose “Bixby” if another option is selected.

4. Return to the main Settings screen and tap on “Advanced features”.

5. Toggle on the switch next to “Bixby Voice” to enable it.

Once enabled, you can launch Bixby Voice by pressing and holding the side button on your Samsung device. You can then start speaking commands and Bixby will provide feedback and complete actions for you.^[1]

[1] “Set Up and Use Bixby – Samsung (Android 10.x),” Verizon, https://www.verizon.com/support/knowledge-base-215396/. Accessed 19 February 2023.

Use Bixby Voice

Bixby is the voice assistant developed by Samsung for their devices. It allows you to control your phone and apps using voice commands. Here are some examples of useful Bixby voice commands:

To open apps:

“Hi Bixby, open Facebook”

“Hi Bixby, open camera”

To control music playback:

“Hi Bixby, play my party playlist”

“Hi Bixby, skip to the next song”

To get information:

“Hi Bixby, what’s the weather today?”

“Hi Bixby, how tall is Mount Everest?”

To set reminders and alarms:

“Hi Bixby, set an alarm for 7am tomorrow”

“Hi Bixby, remind me to call Mom at 5pm”

For help using Bixby effectively, speak clearly and precisely, and wait for Bixby to respond before speaking again. You can say “Hi Bixby” or press the Bixby button to activate it. Make sure you have the latest software updates installed. Refer to Samsung’s list of Bixby voice commands for more examples.

Enable Alexa

To enable Alexa on your Android device, you’ll need to download the Alexa app from the Google Play Store. This will allow you to access Alexa’s voice assistant features on your phone. Here are the steps to set up Alexa on Android:

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your device and search for “Alexa”. Download and install the app from Amazon.

2. Open the Alexa app and sign in using your Amazon account credentials. If you don’t have an account, you can create one for free.

3. Follow the on-screen prompts to connect Alexa to your phone’s microphone, contacts, calendar and other supported apps.

4. Tap “Get Started” and grant the required permissions. Say “Alexa” and the assistant will launch on your Android device.

Once enabled, you can press the Alexa button in the app or say the wake word “Alexa” to launch the voice assistant. Ask Alexa questions, manage smart home devices, set reminders and more (1). With Alexa enabled, you have access to thousands of voice skills to enhance your experience.

Use Alexa

Alexa is Amazon’s virtual assistant that comes built-in on many Android devices, especially Amazon devices like the Fire tablet. You can interact with Alexa using voice commands to play music, get news updates, control smart home devices, set reminders, and more.

Here are some examples of common Alexa voice commands on Android:

Music Commands:

– “Alexa, play jazz music.”

– “Alexa, next song.”

– “Alexa, turn the volume up.”

News and Information:

– “Alexa, what’s the weather today?”

– “Alexa, how’s my commute looking?”

– “Alexa, what are the headlines?”

Smart Home Controls:

– “Alexa, turn on the living room lights.”

– “Alexa, set the thermostat to 72 degrees.”

– “Alexa, lock the front door.”

Here are some tips for interacting with Alexa on your Android device:

– Speak clearly and naturally in a normal voice when addressing Alexa.

– Give Alexa one command at a time – don’t string multiple requests together.

– Be specific – say exactly what you want to ask or command.

– You can customize Alexa’s name if you prefer to say something other than “Alexa.”

– If Alexa doesn’t understand, try rephrasing your request.

– Use Alexa’s companion app to manage skills, review activity history, and customize settings.

With some practice, Alexa can become a helpful hands-free assistant on your Android phone or tablet.

Compare the Assistants

When it comes to choosing between Google Assistant, Bixby, and Alexa, there are some key differences to consider:

Google Assistant is considered the most advanced and capable AI assistant. It has natural language processing, fast response times, and deep integration with other Google services. However, it is limited primarily to Android devices. Some tests have shown Google Assistant able to understand context and follow-up questions better than Siri or Alexa.

Bixby is Samsung’s proprietary voice assistant designed for their Galaxy devices. Bixby emphasizes device control and optimization over general information. It has deep integration with Samsung apps and settings. However, Bixby is more limited than Google Assistant or Alexa for general voice queries.

Alexa has a very large knowledge base and skill platform. It offers voice control for a wide range of smart home devices. However, Alexa has more limited smartphone integration compared to the device-specific assistants. It also lags behind Google Assistant in terms of natural language capabilities.

Overall, Google Assistant tends to lead in intelligence and capabilities, while Bixby offers the tightest integration for Samsung devices. Alexa provides the most ecosystem support and third party integrations. The best choice depends on which device ecosystem you prefer.

Troubleshooting Voice Commands

If you are having issues getting voice commands to work properly on your Android device, here are some common problems and solutions:

Voice Commands Not Responding

One of the most common issues with voice commands is when they simply stop responding. Here are some things to try:

Make sure the microphone on your phone is not blocked or covered.
Check that voice inputs are enabled in your device settings.
Restart your phone to clear any software glitches.

Update to the latest version of Android and the assistant app.
Try disabling battery optimization for the assistant app if available.

Voice Recognition Inaccurate

If your Android device frequently misinterprets your voice commands, try these tips:

Retrain the voice model in the assistant app settings.
Speak clearly and louder toward your phone microphone.
Reduce background noise when possible while speaking.

Change the language/regional settings if not matched to your speech.

Getting Additional Help

If you continue having issues getting voice commands working properly, here are some options to get help:

Check the official support site for your Android device manufacturer.

Consult the Google Assistant or other assistant app’s help section.
Search for similar issues in Android device forums and communities.
Contact the developer of your assistant app for troubleshooting.

Consider resetting your device to factory settings as a last resort.