Assistant button stopped working when screen locked

[vader]

After the latest OTA update, I now can't use the voice assistant. When the Gemini is shut, you used to press the silver button, ask something and it would do it, for example:

Press the button and say "What is the time?"

It would reply "The time is now........"

Now, you press the button, it buzzes to say it is listening (same as before), but then silence. If you open the gemini, press Esc to switch on the screen, then unlock, the assistant immediately says "The time is.....". This isn't useful when you are trying to do things, as the entire point of the button is that you don't need to open the gemini. Anyone else have this problem? I looked for a setting that describes the problem, and the closest I got was the "OK google" thing. I don't want it to always listen, especially as we have the silver button. Searching online didn't come up with a solution either. Any thoughts?

[Murple2]

After the latest OTA update, I now can't use the voice assistant. When the Gemini is shut, you used to press the silver button, ask something and it would do it, for example:

Press the button and say "What is the time?"

It would reply "The time is now........"

Now, you press the button, it buzzes to say it is listening (same as before), but then silence. If you open the gemini, press Esc to switch on the screen, then unlock, the assistant immediately says "The time is.....". This isn't useful when you are trying to do things, as the entire point of the button is that you don't need to open the gemini. Anyone else have this problem? I looked for a setting that describes the problem, and the closest I got was the "OK google" thing. I don't want it to always listen, especially as we have the silver button. Searching online didn't come up with a solution either. Any thoughts?

I too am experiencing issues with the voice assistant, although I think it's a problem with google's app and not with the OTA update (it was working for me after installing the OTA and the issues have only appeared in the last day or two).  I use the voice assistant over bluetooth headset and now I need to open the device to complete the request. But only sometimes, sometimes it still works as expected.  I've also noticed the assistant now say "calling Joe on speakerphone" whereas is used to just say "calling Joe". Whats more frustrating is sometimes it takes the call on the bluetooth speaker, sometimes on the phones speaker. I haven't had time to investigate but when I do I'll post any findings here!

[vader]

I've done some more digging and found that you now need "Trusted voice" to do things when the screen is locked now. One problem with this is that you need to be logged in to google for this to work. I don't log in to google, so no more voice assistant for me. I can't really complain - google gives the OS away for free by selling your information, so if I stop that by not logging in I can't complain when their stuff doesn't work

So, anyone reading this just be careful when you install the update - it will break your assistant if you are googless. The assistant still works fine when the screen is unlocked.

All I can say is bring on Sailfish!

[Murple2]

Thanks for the update. My bluetooth watch is already "trusted" and "smartlock" is enabled so I would of hoped that was enough. I'll try giving my voice to google when I get a (quiet) opportunity.  I do have a google account so I guess I'm fortunate in that way...

[Calamityspice]

I have a similar problem. If i press the silver button & say "dial home", the device vibrates but then does nothing. If I then open it up, the call connects.

Any suggestions?

Also, I can't say "call" I have to say "dial". Saying "Call home" does a Google search for an Australian TV programme.

[Murple2]

I have a similar problem. If i press the silver button & say "dial home", the device vibrates but then does nothing. If I then open it up, the call connects.

Any suggestions?

Also, I can't say "call" I have to say "dial". Saying "Call home" does a Google search for an Australian TV programme.

I had Australian language set in Google Assistant settings by default, but I am a UK user so I removed it. I wonder if that is worth looking at?

[dogomalaika]

Hi, i was having the same problem with the assistant button. I was digging around with the lock functions, pattern, pin, password and the smartlock functions, but nothing seems to work for me. Now i have disabled all this, so the Gemini is never locked and guess what? The assistant button now works absolutely fine. Perhaps not the smartes solution in terms of security but it is working for me this way.

Sorry for my poor english skills.

[Calamityspice]

Another thread with similar problems suggested installing the assistant Saiy. I,m using it and it works very well for me. Very customisable and works offline too.

It definitely  (god I hate spelling that word) turns the Gemini into an everyday usable phone.

I can press the silver button & say "call work" & it calls work.

Plus it burps & farts on command &  does party tricks too.

It does show a few ads on the configuration screen, but none in general use. I just bought the ad free version. There are a few ad free options.

I considered that £11.99 was a fair price for some decent software.