Get help from Google Assistant on Google Pixel Buds

You can choose to use either Google Assistant or Gemini as your digital assistant. For Pixel 9 or newer, the default assistant is Gemini. You can get started with Gemini by downloading its mobile app. As for phones that are older, it’s Google Assistant.

If you choose Google Assistant as your digital assistant, your Google Pixel Buds allow you to get hands-free help from Google Assistant, making them the perfect companion to stay connected wherever you may be. Whether you're on the go and want to control music, get directions, and manage your to-do lists, or you are at home and need a moment to disconnect, your Assistant on Pixel Buds is always ready to help.

How to use Google Assistant with Google Pixel Buds Pro | Google Pixel Buds Pro

What you'll need

To use with Google Assistant you need:

A Google Assistant enabled Android device(The device must meet all other requirements within the linked article)
The latest version of the Google app
A Google Account
An internet connection

Data rates may apply. For minimum requirements, go to g.co/pixelbuds/help.

Talk to Google Assistant

To talk to your Assistant, just say "Hey Google," or touch and hold either earbud, wait for the chime, then continue touching the earbud while you ask your question.

For Google Pixel Buds Pro and Pixel Buds Pro 2, the default press and hold gesture will toggle between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency. You can customize this gesture in the "Touch controls" settings to activate Assistant.

Examples of what you can ask

To get ideas, ask "What can you do?" Your Assistant can help you:

Check on your Pixel Buds

Battery level: What's the battery on my earbuds?

Change settings

Toggle touch controls: Turn on or off touch controls.

Control music

Music: Play my workout playlist. (Subscription may be required)
Podcasts: Play [podcast name] podcast. (Requires podcast approval and subscription may be required)
Volume: Turn up the volume.

Keep in touch

SMS: Text Michelle "Be there in 5 minutes".
Calls: Call Mom

Get directions and answers

Traffic: How's traffic on the way to work? (Requires location enabled)
Food: Are there any coffee shops nearby? (Requires location enabled)
Navigation: Navigate me to [airport name]. (Requires location enabled)
Weather: What's the weather like tomorrow? (Requires location enabled)
Info: How many pounds are in one dollar?

Manage your plans

Reminders: Remember the door code is 1234.
Timers: Set a timer for 30 minutes.
Shopping lists: Add coffee to my shopping list.
Schedule: When is my next meeting?
Events: Add an event "Lunch with Michelle" for 12:30pm tomorrow.

Translation

Talk with someone: Help me speak Chinese.
Understand someone: Ayúdame a entender inglés. (Available in select languages)
- German - Hilf mir, Englisch zu verstehen
- Spanish - Ayúdame a entender inglés
- French - Aide-moi à comprendre l’anglais
- Italian - Aiutami a capire l'inglese
Learn more about this feature in the Translate Help Center.

Complete tasks without "Hey, Google"

Assistant can perform specific tasks without the voice prompt, "Hey, Google." For example, to snooze an alarm, you can say "Snooze," or to decline a call hands-free, you can say "Decline."

Important: This feature is only available:

In English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish. More languages are coming soon.
On Pixel Buds Pro, Pixel 6 and later, including Fold, when you have one language selected.

Learn how to change your Google Assistant language.

On your Pixel, say "Hey Google, open Assistant settings."
Tap Quick phrases.
On the right, tap the slider to turn each quick phrase scenario on or off.

If you turn on Quick phrases for incoming calls, calls might sometimes connect unintentionally. For example:

If you say "answer" when you're not aware that your phone is ringing, or if it's on silent
If other voices say "answer"
If the Google Assistant detects something that sounds similar to "answer"

Request Media

If Google Assistant is set up and you’re on an Android phone, you can ask your Google Assistant to play some music for you. To request media through the Google Assistant, touch and hold either earbud or say "Hey Google."

Example: "Play rock music"

If you haven't chosen a preferred media service, your Google Assistant will ask you to select a service the first time you request music. After that, it will begin playing your media. For more information on selecting a preferred music service, refer to Listen to music. Subscriptions and fees may apply.

Music services supported by the Google Assistant include:

Spotify
YouTube
YouTube Music

Radio services supported by the Google Assistant include:

iHeartRadio
TuneIn

Basic Voice Commands

Here are some other ways you can use the Assistant while listening to audio:

"Play some pop music"
"Louder / Quieter"
"Increase / Decrease Volume"
"Next"
"Stop / Start"
"Tell me the latest news"
"What song is this?"

Troubleshooting

Assistant is announcing my phone notifications too much or not enough

Learn how to manage your Google Assistant notifications

Touch and hold is not activating Assistant

If you hear nothing, check to make sure that touch controls are turned on
If you hear a double chime, you may need to reconnect Assistant by replacing your earbuds in their case and taking them back out again

"Hey Google" is not activating the Assistant

Make sure that Google Assistant is on and can recognize your voice by using the steps in Access Google Assistant with your voice.
Additionally, try the following:
1. Put your Pixel Buds in the charging case.
2. Restart your device and wait five minutes after restarting.
3. If the Assistant still doesn't activate, take your Pixel Buds out of the charging case and confirm that they are connected to your device.
4. Go to your device's settings and tap Apps Assistant See all Assistant settings Devices Pixel Buds.
5. Turn on Say "Hey Google".

The Assistant isn't telling me about new notifications

This is only available if you configure at least one earbud’s touch and hold gesture to Assistant. You can find this setting by going to your Pixel Buds settings and tapping Touch controls. Learn controls for Google Pixel Buds

Assistant does not provide information about my account, like my emails or text messages

Control personal results on your earbuds

_{Requires a Google Assistant-enabled Android 6.0+ device, Google Account, and an internet connection. Data rates may apply. Translation isn't instantaneous. For available languages go to g.co/pixelbuds/help}

Integrate media services

You can link other media apps in your Assistant.

For your watch, phone, tablet, or car

On your Android phone or tablet, say "Hey Google, open Assistant settings."
Tap Music.
Choose a music service.

Speakers, Smart Displays, Smart Clocks & TV devices

On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Home app .
At the bottom, tap Home Settings .
Under "Services," tap Music.
Choose a music service.

Customize your news preferences

To choose your news preferences, you can go to Google Assistant settings on your phone or tablet.

On your Android phone or tablet, say "Hey Google, open Assistant settings."
Tap You News.
Add or remove news sources.
To decide which news sources you hear first, tap and hold the news source you want and drag it to the top.

Change your news playlist format

Important: This feature is only available in the US.

On your Android phone or tablet, say "Hey Google, open Assistant settings."
Tap You News.
To decide which news format you prefer, tap Change news playlist format.

Switch from Google Assistant to Gemini

You can change your default voice assistant from Google Assistant to Gemini while using your Google Pixel Buds Pro 2, Google Pixel Buds Pro, or Google Pixel Buds A-Series. Learn more about using Gemini on Google Pixel Buds.