Emir BardakçıChatGPT’s voice is now supported as the default assistant on Android. The battle between AI assistants is heating up with OpenAI’s recent initiative. The brand new beta of ChatGPT on Android now has the option to set ChatGPT’s intelligent voice as the default assistant, with an alternative to Google’s Gemini. ChatGPT’s voice experience is rated more natural and human-like by many users than others, making it a great addition to the Android ecosystem.
ChatGPT vs. Gemini: The Assistant Showdown
As Google Assistant is gradually being replaced by Gemini (Google is phasing the latter out), ChatGPT is filling the void. ChatGPT’s voice capabilities have amazed users since its release, providing an experience strikingly similar to talking to a living being. While Gemini Live offers similar features, users feel it doesn’t quite match OpenAI’s delivery when it comes to conversational flow and response.
How to set ChatGPT as default Android assistant?
Want to make ChatGPT your default voice assistant instead of Gemini? Here’s how:
- Join the ChatGPT beta program by going to the beta registration link and clicking « Become a tester »
- Wait a few minutes for the update to appear on Google Play, then update the app.
- Open ChatGPT version 1.2025.070 after updating it, then click on your avatar in the bottom right corner.
- Go to the « Voice » settings and enable the « Background conversations » setting.
- Go back to the chat window and click the wave icon in the text box.
- Let the voice fully charge
- Press and hold the power button to open the assistant switcher and choose ChatGPT.
If the assistant selector does not appear automatically:
- Go to Android settings and find « Default apps » Look for « Assist & voice input » settings.
- Choose ChatGPT as your online assistant
If ChatGPT still doesn’t appear as an option, you’ll need to uninstall and reinstall the app, then repeat the steps above.
User experience and constraints
Once you’ve set ChatGPT as your default assistant, you can bring it up by long-pressing the power button. You can ask questions, get information, or simply chat. All of this is saved in ChatGPT’s conversation history and can be used later. The major drawback is that ChatGPT is slower to start than Gemini or even Perplexity’s assistant. However, users find the experience worth it.
This new integration is a significant step forward in building AI assistants on Android, giving users more choice in how they interact with their device through voice.
