To turn off Google Assistant on a Google Pixel 4a, say “Hey Google, open Assistant settings”, or open the Google app and tap your profile picture > Settings > Google Assistant. Under All settings, tap General, then switch off Google Assistant. If you only want it to stop listening for “Hey Google,” you can turn off that one setting instead.
The main steps come from Google Assistant Help’s Access Google Assistant with your voice page, and the Pixel 4a power button details from Set up Google Assistant on your phone or tablet. Because many phones now use Gemini as the default assistant, this guide also covers Google’s Manage or delete the Gemini app on your Android device page. Menu names can vary slightly with your Android and Google app versions.
How to Turn Off Google Assistant on a Pixel 4a
- Say “Hey Google, open Assistant settings.” You can also open the Google Assistant app and say “Assistant settings.”
- If voice doesn’t work, open the Google app, tap your profile picture in the upper-right corner, tap Settings, then tap Google Assistant.
- Under All settings, tap General. If you don’t see it, tap View all settings or See all Assistant settings.
- Turn off Google Assistant.
Result: Google Assistant stops responding on your phone. Google notes that if you try to use the Assistant later, for example by saying “Hey Google,” you’ll be asked to turn it back on.
How to Turn Off Just “Hey Google”
If you still want the Assistant but don’t want your phone listening for the hotword, turn off “Hey Google” instead.
- Open Assistant settings as described above.
- Under Popular settings, tap Hey Google & Voice Match.
- Turn off Hey Google.
Result: your phone no longer wakes up to “Hey Google.” Google says you can still reach the Assistant by touching and holding the Home button. Nearby Nest and Google Home speakers will still answer the hotword.
Stop the Power Button From Opening the Assistant
Google says a Pixel 4a running Android 12 or later can open the Assistant by pressing and holding the Power button. To change that:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap System > Gestures.
- Tap Press and hold the Power button and choose a different action.
Result: holding the Power button no longer starts the Assistant. Google adds that the squeeze gesture is only on the Pixel 2, 3, 3a, and 4, so the Pixel 4a doesn’t use it.
If Your Phone Uses Gemini Instead
On some phones, Gemini is the default assistant instead of Google Assistant. Google’s Gemini help lists these options:
- Turn off “Hey Google” for Gemini: in the Gemini app, tap Menu > your profile picture > Settings > Talk to Gemini hands-free, then turn off “Hey Google.”
- Switch back to Google Assistant: in the Gemini app, tap Menu > your profile picture > Switch to Google Assistant, then tap Switch.
- Remove the default assistant: in Settings, tap Apps > Default apps > Digital assistant app > Default digital assistant app, and choose None.
Google notes that deleting the Gemini app doesn’t remove it as your default digital assistant, so change the default setting first.
Troubleshooting
There’s no General option
Tap View all settings or See all Assistant settings, which Google says reveals the full list.
The Assistant still pops up
Check the Power button gesture and your default digital assistant app. If either is still set to Google, the Assistant or Gemini can open by touch even with “Hey Google” off.
FAQs
Will turning off Google Assistant delete my history?
Turning off the Assistant and deleting its activity are separate steps. Google has its own help page for deleting your Google Assistant activity.
Can I turn it back on later?
Yes. Repeat the steps and switch Google Assistant back on, or say “Hey Google” and follow the prompt to turn it on.
More Pixel 4a Guides
- How to take a screenshot on a Google Pixel 4a
- How to turn on Battery Saver on the Pixel 4a
- How to turn NFC on or off on a Pixel 4a
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read hundreds of millions of times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.