End of an Era? Google App Code Suggests Gemini Will Soon Replace Google Assistant
Google appears to be preparing to make its Gemini AI the sole digital assistant on its Android platform, removing the option for users to switch back to the classic Google Assistant, according to a recent analysis of the Google app’s code.
Findings from an APK teardown of the Google app (version 16.44.59) by Android Authority reveal that Google is actively working to remove the choice screen that currently allows users to select between Gemini and Google Assistant.
The analysis shows that a settings stub titled “Digital assistants from Google,” which provides this toggle, is slated for removal from both the Gemini app settings and the Google Assistant settings. Once this change is implemented, users who have opted into Gemini will effectively be locked in, with no clear path to revert to the legacy Google Assistant.
This move signals the clearest indication yet of Google’s plan to phase out Google Assistant, which has been a staple of the Android ecosystem for years, in favour of its more powerful and modern Gemini counterpart. The article reporting the findings notes this move is “inevitable” and that “Assistant fans had best make their peace with Gemini.”
In addition to this major shift, the APK teardown also uncovered several upcoming user interface improvements for Gemini. These include a new processing animation for queries, buttons to expand and collapse long queries for better chat management, and a “Jump to bottom” button to quickly navigate long conversations.
As with all findings from APK teardowns, these features are based on work-in-progress code and do not represent an official announcement from Google. It is possible that the company could alter or delay these plans before a public release.
