How to Get Google Assistant in Any Android Phone (No Root)

Update: The method in the article is not working anymore but there is another workaround. Check out our video to enable Google Assistant on your Android smartphone (Android 6.0 Marshmallow or higher): 

When Google first launched their flagship phones for 2016 – the Pixel, and Pixel XL – one of their many USPs, was the brand new Google Assistant. The new, AI powered virtual assistant from Google was an instant hit, with its excellent recognition skills, and answers to almost everything. Google Assistant easily beat Siri, and Hound. However, Google did not push the Assistant to any other Android devices (even the ones running Android 7.0 Nougat). While there is a way to get Google Assistant on rooted Android Nougat devices, you can now officially get the Google Assistant in any Android device running Android 5.0 Lollipop and above:

Downloading the Google Search (Alpha) App

Google just released the latest alpha version of the Google Search App. The app brings a host of cool features, along with Google Assistant on non-Pixel devices.

Note: We tested this out on a Nexus 5X running Android 7.1.1 Nougat, a Moto G4 Plus running on Android 7.0 Nougat, and a OnePlus X running Android 6.0 Marshmallow. All of the devices got Google Assistant, however, I also tried it on the Galaxy S7 and it did not work on it. So, your mileage may vary.

The first thing you will have to do, is download and install the Google Search Alpha app. You can do this, by following the steps mentioned below:

• First, download (link has been removed) the Google App 6.13.5.21 alpha from APKMirror.

• Go to Settings -> Security, and enable “Unknown Sources“. This will allow you to install apps from downloaded APK files.

• Install the Google App 6.13.5.21 alpha APK on your phone.

Launch and Set Up Google Assistant

Once you’ve installed the app, you can get Google Assistant working on your device, just follow the steps mentioned below in order to set up Google Assistant on your Android device:

• Press and hold the “home button” on your Android phone. You should see a screen saying “New! You just got the Google Assistant“. Just tap on “Continue”.

• The Google Assistant will then tell you how to bring it up when you need to ask a question. Tap on “Continue”. It will then ask you for the required permissions. Tap “Yes, I’m in” if you want to use the assistant.

• Google Assistant will then launch on your device, and will take you through the basics of using it.

SEE ALSO: Google Home vs Amazon Echo: Google Assistant Takes on Alexa

Get Google Assistant on Any Android Phone without Root

While the Google App that brings Google Assistant to every Android phone is in alpha, at the moment, this probably means that when this version of the Google App becomes stable, we may see Google Assistant in every Android smartphone. However, if you can’t wait for that, you can follow the steps I’ve mentioned in this article, to get the latest (alpha) build of the Google App on your Android phone. The best part, is that you don’t need to have a rooted device in order for this to work. If you’re wondering what Google Assistant does better than Google Now, you can check out our articles on Google Assistant tricks, and IFTTT integrations.

So, what are your thoughts on Google Assistant? Do let us know in the comments section below.