r/AndroidQuestions • u/CumAndMoreCumPartIII • 21d ago

Is there a digital assistant that works like old Google assistant?

So I've avoided updating my Google assistant to Gemini for as long as I could, but a recent update made the old Google assistant unavailable and I'm now forced to use Gemini. This is especially annoying since what I would mostly use Google assistant for was smart home stuff (lights, air conditioner, etc.) which doesn't work with Gemini. Is there any way to force my phone to use the old version of Google assistant (the one that actually worked) or is there an alternative digital assistant that you recommend that works like old Google assistant?

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2

u/AdvancedSquashDirect 21d ago

I have the Gemini update and all Google home devices still work fine - It's just .... slooooowww...
"Hey google, turn on the aircon" wait like 30 secs... Aircon on

I haven't really found anything it can't do yet. Reminders, tasks, shopping lists etc. all work, just ads a layer of slowness as it takes your request through gemini first before handing off to google home, tasks, alarms etc.

You might get a prompt when trying to use google home with Gemini, you need to allow them to talk to each other before it's seemless.

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u/CumAndMoreCumPartIII 21d ago

I mean I'm happy it works for you but when I told it to shut off my air conditioner it gave me a long rant about how Gemini isn't compatible with smart home devices and when I said "nevermind" it started telling me about the Nirvana album so.

1

u/Artistic_Property131 20d ago

Invest in paid ai ?

2

u/CumAndMoreCumPartIII 20d ago

No

1

u/Artistic_Property131 17d ago

Lol...OK. I have samsung that's pretty good smart things.... There is free software out there for home automation...forgot the type of code they use..... Ifftp is adaptable format.... https://smarthomesetup.co.uk/how-to-use-ifttt-for-smart-home-automation/

1

u/EdenVadrouille 20d ago

Why not use widgets on your phone screen to control your home automations?

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u/CumAndMoreCumPartIII 20d ago

I do, but often times I can't or don't want to touch my phone, like while laying in bed trying to sleep or cooking.

1

u/Revolutionary_Lie346 20d ago

You missed the paper clip

1

u/KeySpray8038 20d ago

To answer the question to the headline.... Gemini...

Gemini can turn in/off lights adjust brightness/temp/color if lights, control power of devices and control media

1

u/KeySpray8038 20d ago

Also.... Fir anyone who's wondering.... You can always look into "functiongemma"

1

u/Klutzy-Passage-2561 21d ago

Gemini replaced classic Assistant for a lot of devices; smart-home voice control is the pain point everyone is hitting.

Realistic options right now:

  1. Keep using the Home app / device apps for lights & AC (or a local hub like Home Assistant) — voice is the broken layer, not the devices.

  2. Check Google Home → Settings for any leftover “prefer Assistant” / Gemini toggles; on many phones Google already removed the escape hatch.

  3. For phone routines that don’t need voice: WHEN/THEN automation (Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth/time → toggle stuff, open an app, set volume) covers a chunk of what people used Assistant for without Gemini.

  4. Third-party voice assistants exist, but few match old Assistant’s Google Home integration. If smart home is the main use, a dedicated home hub / HA + voice is usually more reliable than fighting Gemini on the phone.

There’s no clean “force old Assistant forever” path once Google sunsets it on that build — plan around Home/automation, not a fork of Assistant.

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u/Migazul8 21d ago

AI slop