OpenAI has introduced a new update that lets Android users replace Google’s Gemini with ChatGPT as their default voice assistant. While this gives users direct access to ChatGPT, it doesn’t yet offer all the features of Gemini, making it less effective for some tasks.
The ChatGPT app has been available on the Google Play Store for a while, but with the latest update (version 1.2025.070 beta), OpenAI now allows users to set it as their primary assistant. This update comes shortly after Perplexity introduced its own voice assistant, giving Android users even more choices.
Steps to Make ChatGPT Your Default Assistant
Before getting started, make sure your ChatGPT app is updated to the latest version. Then follow these steps:
- Go to the Settings menu on your Android device.
- Go to Apps, then tap Default Apps.
- Select Default Digital Assistant App.
- Choose ChatGPT from the list.
Once you’ve set it up, you can launch ChatGPT by long-pressing the home button or swiping from the corner of your screen.
Should You Switch to ChatGPT?
While using ChatGPT as your default assistant is exciting, it does have some limitations. Unlike Gemini, ChatGPT cannot be activated using voice commands like “Hey Google.”
Additionally, since Google controls many Android features, ChatGPT won’t be able to:
- Change phone settings
- Control Google Home devices
- Add events to Google Calendar
- Manage music playback through Google apps
However, ChatGPT can still perform tasks like setting reminders and timers, but these will be handled within the ChatGPT app rather than Google’s built-in services.
For now, switching to ChatGPT depends on your needs. If you mainly use your assistant for conversations and AI-powered responses, it’s worth trying. However, if you rely on deeper integration with Google services, you may want to stick with Gemini.
