May 21, 2021

Google Assistant not fully functional on AT&T Cingular Flip 4.

Got a brand new AT&T Cingular Flip 4, and everything works except Google Assistant. Google Assistant will look up any information I ask, but says it "can't make calls yet" and "can't send texts yet".
I was on the phone with AT&T for 40 minutes running through every troubleshooting trick we could think of and we've come to the conclusion that this is a Google issue and NOT an AT&T issue as all other services on the phone are fully functional.

I have given Google Assistant permission to access the contacts, so it should be able to make calls.
A search indicates that this is a wide spread issue (further indicating that it is a Google, and not device/carrier issue) yet there seem to be no solutions.

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Assistant availability,Android Phone

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All Replies (20)

James M.

Product Expert Alumni

May 21, 2021

Hello, thanks for taking the time to post your issue.

Does your Flip 4 have Google Assistant GO edition pre-installed?

https://support.google.com/assistant/answer/7556235?hl=en&ref_topic=7658198

Try each of the following steps before moving on to the next to see if your Google Assistant issue is resolved:

Open Android Settings > Apps > Google (G) app > Permissions > turn ON every choice provided.

Turn your Android device OFF and back ON.

Try clearing the Google (G) app Cache. Important: Settings can vary by phone. For more info, contact your device manufacturer. Clearing cache can free up needed space by removing temporary files. This is a short-term solution. Over time, cache will build up again.

Open your phone's Settings app.
Tap Apps & notifications.
Tap the Google (G) app. If you don't see it, first tap See all apps or App info.
Tap Storage & cache Clear cache.

Turn ON personal results

https://support.google.com/assistant/answer/7684543?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform=Android

Check to see if all of your installed apps on Google Play automatically update at https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/113412?hl=en

Is your Android operating system updated? Open Android Settings > System (or About Phone) > Advanced > System Update > Check for update. If device updates, restart phone when update is complete.

Check to see if your Android phone has your home address entered at https://support.google.com/assistant/answer/7394009?co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&hl=en

Open Google Play Store > search for Google (G) app > open app > Uninstall > OK > Update > wait for update to install > Restart phone

Ryan Petty

Jul 19, 2021

James, This device does not run Android OS. It's KAI OS

Cole Simpson

Jul 19, 2021

Hey I am an ATT representative trying to fix the same issue and none of the above methods have worked. I need a fix

James M.

Product Expert Alumni

Jul 21, 2021

Everyone

This issue has been escalated to the Google product team for further investigation.

Marsha Taylor 4437

Jul 21, 2021

When will this issue be resolved?

User 13769968502775678987

Jul 22, 2021

When will this issue be resolved?

Terri Davis

Jul 25, 2021

Same problem. Any ETA on a fix?

James M.

Product Expert Alumni

Jul 25, 2021

Everyone

This issue has been escalated to the Google product team for further investigation.

Mary Alice Howerton

Jul 28, 2021

I have the same issue ... Cingular Flip IV phone running KAI OS, and just received to replace old phone that AT&T is phasing out. I'd like to be notified when there is a fix for this. The phone is for our 92 mother who is going blind so the ability to have Google Assistant set up so she can use verbal command to call her contacts would be a huge benefit for her.

Last edited Jul 28, 2021

Lynda Edwards

Jul 28, 2021

My husband who is 103, just received his Cingular IV, as a replacement. I have tried everything to get it to make calls. It will give him the weather.

Bob West 9636

Aug 1, 2021

We just got our Flip for 89 yr old dad that is also 90% blind. Can Google Assist weather, tell me a joke, but no Voice Demand Calls. I was with Tech Support for 45 mins and cut off. Still looking for a fix

User 11522100973443209227

Aug 5, 2021

To the original poster. I received a flip iv to replace my rugby 3 ( the rugby 3 was great for my needs) from at&t. The flip iv runs with kaios. It is a cheap limited system in a very cheap phone---the cheapest at&t has.. The google assistant for voice activated calls or voice activated messages does not work on mine either. The google assistant will work for some things like getting on line or voice to text. I have researched and called at&t ---looked on line ---gone to at&t store etc. No help. I finally found through another on line thread that it has been determined that many flip phones including flip iv will not allow you to voice activate calls or messages with the kaios system. This is a real pain because after I paired the phone and my contacts to my new lincoln continental I can no longer just push the button on my steering wheel and say "call home". I get the same message as I get on the flip IV. It always says " I can not make calls yet". Now i can not make instant hands free calls and this is a real safety issue that at&t has generated. Especially for older folks who try to be safe by using voice activated calling from their cars. I've done everything at&t and everyone else has asked . Given googls assistant permission to access my contacts etc. No help. The short answer is ----google assisstant voice activated calls and messages will not work in flip phones with kaios and there is no fix. So at&t along with google has screwed us all by forcing people to change phones so they can eventually get to 5g. So you're either forced into a newer smart phone ---or try to find something in flip phones that does not run with kaios.

Alice Krupit

Aug 24, 2021

When I was forced into accepting the KaiOS "new" phone, the rep at AT&T (where I took my phone to have the new SIM replaced) said, "this phone is cheap; your old phone is better." He also said that Google Assistant is no longer supported. I figured he did not know what he was talking about because after I got home and experimented, I was able to access YouTube videos. As of tonight, I am getting "no internet' connection for either Google Assistant or YouTube. So yeah, you are right: crap phone and crap service. Guess it's time to go shopping - and this after being a pretty loyal customer for 14 years.