You can get help from Google Assistant while your Android phone or tablet is locked. Google Assistant can help you perform tasks, like set a timer on your phone, get info like sports updates, or get personal results. Personal results include:
- Read your messages
- Access your contacts
- Set your reminders
- Show your shopping lists
- Adjust the lights or thermostats of your home
Important: This feature only works on devices running Android 8.0 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.
Turn Google Assistant on lock screen on or off
- On your Android phone or tablet, say "Hey Google, open Assistant settings."
- Tap Apps.
- Under the "General" section, tap Assistant
Lock screen.
- Turn Assistant responses on lock screen on or off.
What Google Assistant can’t do on your lock screen
Even if you turn on Google Assistant on lock screen, you still must unlock your device for help with:
- Google Photos
- Requests to open other apps
Get personal results on lock screen
With Voice MatchTo get personal results on your lock screen when you speak to Google Assistant, you must:
While your phone or tablet is locked, you can use Google Assistant with gestures to get personal results without Voice Match.
- On your Android phone or tablet, say "Hey Google, open Assistant settings."
- Under "All settings," tap Lock screen.
- Turn on Also get personal results when you activate your Assistant without saying “Hey Google,” like tapping your screen.
- Lock your phone.
- To use Assistant with gestures, tap the screen, or on some devices, swipe from the corners.
Get Google Assistant while you charge your device
Important: This feature is only available on some Android devices. Learn more about your device’s capabilities.
While your device charges, Google Assistant can take action, like play media or get commute info. You can also show Google Photos albums when you turn on the Photo frame.
- On your Android phone or tablet, say "Hey Google, open Assistant settings."
- Under "All settings," tap Ambient mode.
- Turn on Ambient mode or Photo frame on ambient display.
- To select your photos, tap Select Google Photos albums.
Tip: If you get a notification to set up Ambient Mode while you charge your device, you can follow the on-screen instructions.