Enable Proactive Assistance on Gemini Intelligence Phones

Gemini Intelligence phones can surface helpful details before you ask. Proactive Assistance watches your screen, notifications, location, and selected apps, then offers timely suggestions such as a restaurant idea during a chat or flight details when a conversation mentions travel.

This guide shows how to enable it on supported Pixel 11 devices, connect the right data sources, and get reliable results. It draws only from official Google support pages.

What You Need

Proactive Assistance currently works on these Gemini Intelligence phones in specific markets:

• Pixel 11
• Pixel 11 Pro
• Pixel 11 Pro XL
• Pixel 11 Pro Fold

Supported countries and languages include Australia (English), Canada (English), India (English), Japan (Japanese), Malaysia (English), Singapore (English), and the United States (English). You must be at least 18 years old and signed into a personal Google Account. The feature also requires Gemini as the default assistant and Personal Intelligence turned on.

If you are still exploring Gemini Intelligence overall, see the Gemini Intelligence on Android overview.

Set Gemini as the Default Assistant

Proactive Assistance only runs when Gemini is your preferred digital assistant.

1. Open the Settings app on your Pixel.
2. Tap Apps, then Assistant.
3. Tap Digital assistants from Google.
4. Select Gemini.

If Gemini does not appear, update the Google app and Gemini app from the Play Store, then check again. After the switch, “Hey Google” and long-press gestures route to Gemini.

Turn On Personal Intelligence

Personal Intelligence lets Gemini use context from connected Google apps. Proactive Assistance depends on it.

1. Open the Gemini mobile app.
2. Tap the menu icon, then your profile picture or initial.
3. Tap Personal Intelligence, then Connected Apps.
4. Turn on the apps you want Gemini to use, such as Contacts, Google Photos (if available), Google Workspace, Search, or YouTube.
5. Follow any on-screen prompts.

You can connect all available apps at once or choose individually. More connected sources generally produce more accurate suggestions. You can change these choices later in the same menu.

Enable Proactive Assistance

With the prerequisites in place, turn the feature on:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Proactive Assistance.
3. Turn Use Proactive Assistance on.
4. Tap Connected apps and enable the sources you want, such as Messages and Screenshots.

You can also manage screen access per app. Go to Settings > Apps, select an app, and under Screen access turn Proactive Assistance on or off.

Data sources Proactive Assistance can use include:

• On-screen content and notifications
• Apps you connect through Personal Intelligence
• Additional apps you enable specifically for Proactive Assistance
• Location data

Google notes that more sources produce better suggestions. Limited sources mean fewer or less relevant prompts.

Where Suggestions Appear

Once enabled, Gemini can show context-aware suggestions in several places:

• Chat apps such as Google Messages (for example, a restaurant suggestion or loyalty card while texting)
• The Phone app (details related to a contact or recent emails)
• The Weather app (AI summaries tied to upcoming calendar events or locations)
• Other apps including Google Maps, shopping apps, and streaming services
• At a Glance on the home screen (location-based ideas such as meal suggestions or store loyalty cards; requires precise location permission for the Google app)

Press and hold a suggestion to see its source, give feedback, or adjust settings. Suggestions can also appear on companion devices such as a paired Pixel Watch when the feature is enabled on the phone.

Manage Privacy and Data

You control what Proactive Assistance sees. Turn individual data sources off at any time in the Proactive Assistance settings. You can also disable the feature completely with one toggle.

Google states that Proactive Assistance processes relevant data to deliver suggestions. Review the connected apps list regularly and limit sources if you prefer stricter privacy. Location-based features require the precise location permission; manage it under Settings > Location > App permissions > Google.

For broader privacy controls around Gemini activity, use the Gemini app settings or your Google Account privacy dashboard.

Tips for Better Results

• Keep the Gemini and Google apps updated so new suggestion types appear.
• Connect Calendar and Gmail through Personal Intelligence if you want event-related prompts.
• Enable Messages and Screenshots under Connected apps for chat and visual context.
• Allow precise location if you want At a Glance location suggestions.
• Test with real conversations: mention a restaurant or flight and watch for a card.
• If suggestions stop appearing, toggle Use Proactive Assistance off and on again, then confirm Gemini is still the default assistant.

On supported devices the feature is designed to stay out of the way until it has something useful. It does not replace manual control; you still confirm or dismiss every suggestion.

Conclusion

Proactive Assistance turns a Gemini Intelligence Pixel into a device that anticipates small needs during chats, calls, and daily app use. Enable Gemini as the assistant, turn on Personal Intelligence, then activate Proactive Assistance and choose your data sources. The result is fewer app switches for routine details such as booking references or nearby options.

Start with a few connected apps, use the feature for a day, and refine the list based on which suggestions prove useful. Official help pages remain the best reference if options change or if you need to troubleshoot on a specific device.

Sources

• Learn about Gemini Intelligence on your phone
• Get help with Proactive Assistance on Pixel
• Gemini Intelligence features overview