How to Make Alexa Your Default Assistant on Android

If you use voice assistants on your phone and in your home, you may benefit from changing the settings on your phone so that you can use one consistent service. For example, if you are using Android on your phone but you get an Amazon Echo as a gift and use that as well, you could end up with lists or other information in two different places. Now you can avoid that issue by changing the default assistant on your phone to Alexa instead of Google Assistant.

Also read: Top 10 Must Have Skills for Alexa-Enabled Devices

Benefits of Using Alexa

If you select Alexa as your default voice assistant on an Android device, you can add items to lists you may have started at home. So if you want to keep a to-do list on Alexa, and you think of something to add to that list while you are at work, you can use Alexa voice assist right from your phone.

You can use Alexa as your assistant to order from Amazon, call friends (with certain apps), ask for nearby stores and gas stations, and most of the other tasks you can do from your Echo speaker. Alexa works with more “smart home” gadgets than Google Assistant does. It also works better than Google if you are outside of the United States.

There are some drawbacks to replacing Google Assistant with Alexa. You will only be able to access Alexa on your phone by long pressing the Home button. You will not be able to use its wake word “Alexa” to activate it. Alexa also cannot do some everyday tasks like making a call from your Google contacts or showing a map.

To switch to Alexa as your default voice assistant

On most Android phones, follow these steps to select Alexa over Google Assistant.

1. Download the Amazon Alexa app from the Google Play Store.

2. Launch the app and sign in to your Amazon account.

3. Open Settings on your Android phone by tapping the gear icon.

4. Open Apps.

5. Select “Default Apps.”

6. Choose “Assist & voice input.”

7. Select Alexa from the list by tapping on it.

8. Agree to the warning concerning access to apps.

Note: you absolutely must have the latest update to the Alexa app for this to work. If Alexa is not appearing as a choice for your device assistant, check to make sure your Alexa app is up to date.

Also read: How to Get Alexa to Print to an HP Printer

If you’re on a Samsung Android phone, the steps are different.

1. Download Alexa.

2. Open Settings on your Android phone by tapping the gear icon.

3. Tap “Advanced” features. (On some phones you may have to tap applications and then press the three dots in the top-right corner to find the default apps settings.)

4. Select Device assistance app.

5. Choose Alexa.

If you cannot locate the device assistance app on your phone, you can search for it within the settings menu.

Remember that if Alexa is not appearing as a choice for your device assistant to update your Alexa app.

To start Alexa, press and hold the Home button on your phone. Once the blue border appears, speak. You don’t have to say “Alexa” for it to work, but you still can.

If you decide that Alexa is not useful, you can always revert to Google Assistant. It’s easy to do by going back to your voice assistant settings and tapping the Google option.

Whether you decide to change your default assistant permanently or not, it is handy option to have on your phone. Choices like this help you personalize your experience with your Android by adapting to your needs.