There are many ways to access Google Assistant on your phone, but Android 12 adds another one for Google Pixel models that might be the best way.
On Pixel 2 and later, you can say “Hey Google”or “OK Google”, swipe up from the bottom left or right corner of the screen, and tap the Assistant icon in the search bar to talk to Google Assistant. On the Pixel 2, 3, and 4, you can even squeeze the bottom half of the phone to open the Assistant. But the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro have one more option turned on by default: press and hold the power button.
However, you don’t need a Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro to use the power button method. If you have a Pixel 3 or later updated to Android 12 or later, there’s a way to replace the power menu with an assistant. Then the power menu will be available if you press “Power”and “Volume Up”at the same time.
Find Assistant Power Button Setting
There are several ways to enable Assistant for the power button on your Pixel. You can go to “Settings”-> “Apps”-> “Assistant”and then tap “Hold power for your Assistant”.
Or go to Settings -> System -> Gestures, then select “Press and hold the power button”. Both methods will take you to the same settings menu.
Turn it on and adjust the duration of the press
In the “Press and hold the power button”settings, you’ll see that the “Hold for assistant”toggle is disabled, and it says “Press and hold for the power menu”in small print. Turn on the toggle and it should say “Press and hold for assistant”and also unlock the “Press and hold duration”slider.
Adjust the slider to change the pressure sensitivity needed to access Google Assistant with the power button. The duration of the long press increases from the left (short) to the right (long), where the shortest press activates the assistant almost immediately, and the longest takes almost two seconds.
Press and hold the power button
All that’s left to do is try out the new power button assignment. Press and hold the power button according to the sensitivity you set, and Google Assistant will open, waiting for you to speak.
What about other keyboard shortcuts?
Now that Google Assistant pops up whenever you long press the power button, you’ll have to access the power menu differently. As mentioned above, press the power and volume up buttons at the same time and you will see the power menu with all the familiar options.
Pressing the Power and Volume Down buttons will still take a screenshot, and using either Volume button will itself adjust the volume and allow you to control ringer and alert sounds. Also, pressing the volume down button during an incoming call still mutes the ringer as usual.