Google to Phase Out Assistant on Android Auto for Gemini by March 2026

Google has set a firm timeline for phasing out its long-standing Google Assistant on Android Auto, with the AI-powered Gemini set to fully replace it starting in March 2026. The change, detailed on a Google support page, aims to deliver more intuitive voice interactions for drivers using the service that projects smartphone apps onto vehicle infotainment systems.

Android Auto connects compatible Android phones to a car's head unit, enabling access to navigation, media, and calls without diverting attention from the road. Officials at Google stated that the transition will eliminate the need for manual phone adjustments, which can pose safety risks and violate hands-free driving laws in many areas. By March 2026, the current version of Google Assistant will no longer function on Android Auto, handing over duties to Gemini across Google's ecosystem, including phones, Wear OS watches, Google TV, and more.

This shift builds on an ongoing rollout of Gemini integration into Google Maps, which began earlier this month and is expanding to Android and iOS users in phases, primarily starting in the United States. The update replaces the familiar multicolored microphone icon with a Gemini...