How to Control Your Android Phone with Gemini Device Assistance

Gemini Device Assistance turns your Android phone into a voice-controlled device. Ask it to set an alarm, pause music, adjust brightness, or open an app. The feature works through the Gemini mobile app on Android and expands with Android 17 on select devices.

It was previously called Utilities. Google integrated it deeper with Gemini Intelligence so the assistant can act on device settings without you hunting through menus. Availability starts on Pixel phones running Android 17 and expands to other models such as the motorola signature 27.

This guide shows how to turn it on, grant the right permissions, and use common commands. It also covers lock-screen use and limits so you know what works today.

Enable Device Assistance

Open the Gemini app on your Android phone. Tap your profile picture, then Settings. Go to Personal Intelligence and select Connected Apps. Toggle Device Assistance on.

The connected app is designed to work even if Keep Activity is off. You can turn it off later in the same Connected Apps list. Device Assistance is Android-only. It does not appear in the Gemini web app or on iOS.

Some actions need the Google app set as your default digital assistant. Open Settings, tap Apps, then Default apps, and check the Digital assistant app entry. Select the Google app if it is not already listed. This unlocks controls for Airplane mode, Battery Saver, Bluetooth, Do Not Disturb, flashlight, NFC, Wi-Fi, volume, screenshots, and power off.

For notification reading and replies, grant the Google app notification access. Open Settings, tap Apps, then Special app access, then Notification read, reply & control, and turn on Google. Paths vary slightly by manufacturer.

Set up hands-free activation

In the Gemini app Settings, open Talk to Gemini hands-free and turn on Hey Google. Follow the Voice Match prompts so the phone recognizes your voice. Voice Match reduces false triggers from other people nearby.

With Hey Google active, you can issue commands while the phone is unlocked. For lock-screen use, open Settings in the Gemini app, tap Gemini on lock screen, and turn on Use Gemini without unlocking. Optionally enable Make calls and send messages without unlocking.

Anyone near a locked phone can trigger basic commands such as flashlight or volume. Turn the lock-screen option off if that trade-off is too high. Sensitive notifications must also be allowed in device Settings under Notifications for full message reading on the lock screen.

Common voice commands

Alarms and timers are among the most reliable actions. Say “Set an alarm for 7 a.m.” or “Set a timer for 10 minutes.” Ask “Show my alarms” or “How much time is left on my timer?” You can modify, snooze, cancel, or delete them. On many phones Gemini uses the Google Clock app; on Samsung, OnePlus, and similar brands it uses the manufacturer clock.

Media control covers pause, resume, next, previous, and stop. Try “Pause the music” or “Skip this song.” Volume and brightness respond to “Turn up the volume” or “Decrease brightness to 40 percent.” Battery level, flashlight, Battery Saver, and Do Not Disturb also work.

Open apps or settings with “Open Settings” or “Open Chrome.” You can combine requests: “Turn on Battery Saver and set media volume to 50 percent.” Gemini may ask for confirmation before some changes.

For device troubleshooting on supported Pixel phones with Android 17, tap the attachment button in the Gemini text box and choose Device Help. Describe a problem such as “My screen is too yellow” or “Why is my phone running out of space?” Gemini checks current settings and can offer to adjust them. This Labs-style feature is English-only on the primary profile for now.

What works on the lock screen

With the lock-screen toggle enabled, Gemini can set or silence alarms, start or stop timers, pause music, turn on the flashlight, adjust volume, and enable Battery Saver while the phone stays locked. Full message reading and replies require the additional sensitive-notifications setting.

It cannot change your PIN, perform a factory reset, alter app permissions, or read saved passwords. These restrictions prevent accidental or malicious permanent changes.

Limitations and tips

Feature availability varies by Android version, device model, language, and country. Android 17 and later unlock the richest Device Assistance and Device Help experiences. Update the Gemini app and Google Play services regularly.

If a command fails, check that Device Assistance is enabled and that the Google app is the default assistant. Retrain Voice Match in noisy environments. For notification features, confirm the special access permission is granted.

Gemini summarizes long messages by default. Ask it to read them in full if you need the exact text. Third-party clock apps support basic alarm and timer commands but not every action.

Pair this with other Gemini features covered in our Android 17 Advanced Protection guide for a more complete setup. Device Assistance focuses on everyday control; Advanced Protection adds security layers.

Conclusion

Device Assistance puts everyday phone tasks under voice control. Enable it under Connected Apps, set the Google app as default assistant, and turn on Hey Google plus the lock-screen option if you want hands-free use. Test a few commands for alarms, media, and settings to confirm everything works on your model.

The feature continues to expand with Gemini Intelligence rollouts. Check the official Gemini help page for the latest supported actions on your device. Start with the basics today and add Device Help on Android 17 Pixel phones when you need troubleshooting.

Sources

• Control your Android mobile device and apps with device assistance — Gemini Apps Help
• Gemini Intelligence features and new device support — Google Blog, November 10, 2026
• Get started with the Gemini mobile app - Android — Android Help