A voice assistant can start by accident, for example when you hold the power button or say a phrase that sounds like its name. You can turn it off, or keep it and change how it starts.

Android (Google Assistant)

1. Open Settings, then Apps, then Default apps, and look for Digital assistant app. Choose None to turn it off.
2. Or open the Google app, tap your profile picture, then Settings, then Google Assistant, and turn off the features you do not want, such as “Hey Google”.
3. To stop the power button from starting the assistant, look for Power button or Side key in Settings and choose a different action.

iPhone (Siri)

1. Open Settings, then Siri (on some versions Apple Intelligence & Siri).
2. Turn off Listen for “Hey Siri” and Press Side Button for Siri.

What you lose

You can no longer start calls, timers or searches by voice. You can turn the same switches on again at any time, so try it for a week.

Common mistakes

• Turning off only “Hey Google” and wondering why the assistant still opens. The power-button shortcut is a separate setting.
• Switching it off on one phone and forgetting that headphones, a watch or a car can start it too. Check their own settings.
• Thinking this deletes your history. It does not. Your past activity stays in your account until you remove it there.

Privacy

If you turn it off for privacy, also review other settings. See how to set up fingerprint and face unlock safely, how to stop app notifications you do not need and how to protect your WhatsApp account from hackers.