Android Auto: Faulty Gemini Calls, Assistant Stops

Users are reporting repeated failures during voice calls with Gemini connected to Android Auto, even after troubleshooting attempts. An incident in June 2026 also affected Android and Android Auto, prompting some to revert to Assistant. Google plans to discontinue Assistant in September, while the proposed fixes do not address the pairing with Android Auto. Incompatibilities are also reported with third-party launchers that disrupt the listening for voice commands.

On Pixel 9 Pro, Gemini fails with Android Auto and third-party launchers block listening

One user reports frequent failures of Gemini to make calls on a Pixel 9 Pro used with Android Auto and Pixel Launcher. In this context, requesting a call often resulted in silence, and the function only succeeded after disconnecting from Android Auto. The article also notes that third-party home screen launchers do not always work with the Gemini overlay intended to listen for "Hey Google" or "OK Google." According to this account, with a third-party launcher, the voice call does not work, whether using Android Auto or not. The article adds that the proposed fixes do not resolve the Gemini/Android Auto issue.

Recurring failures and the June 2026 incident affecting Android and Android Auto

The article discusses ongoing voice call issues with Gemini that have persisted for some time. In June 2026, an error message "Something went wrong. Please try again" appeared, affecting both Android and Android Auto, prompting some users to revert to Assistant. Beyond calls, complaints also concern the inability to launch a song with Gemini, whether the device is connected to Android Auto or not. On Reddit, a user (@my1stname) summarized the comparison: "Assistant does it better."

Assistant set to end in September, with Gemini remaining the official option

Google plans to discontinue Assistant in September. After this date, Gemini will be the only official digital assistant option on Android. The article outlines a strategy to integrate Gemini throughout the Android ecosystem, aiming for it to draft emails, summarize web pages, edit photos, do shopping, and make restaurant reservations.

For drivers, less reliable hands-free calls and few dedicated solutions

The article indicates that the combination of Gemini and Android Auto makes hands-free calls unreliable and may lead drivers to check their phones. Not connecting the phone to Android Auto would reduce the frequency of the problem, but those who rely on Android Auto currently find themselves without a solution. Google has proposed several avenues for issues outside of Android Auto, but they do not target the Gemini/Android Auto combination. One user reports that it is sometimes necessary to disconnect from Android Auto or initiate the call themselves, then wait for the car to be stopped, while still having the option to use steering wheel controls to navigate the directory. According to the article, distracted driving resulted in the deaths of 3,208 people in the United States in 2024.

Two options suggested by a commenter

A commenter believes that Google has two options: allow continued use of Assistant or fix the hands-free calling function of Gemini on Android Auto. They think Google is aware of the problem and hopes for a fix before the complete discontinuation of Assistant. This same account describes a past experience with Assistant that was deemed very reliable for hands-free calls, with calls initiated in seconds and virtually no failures. After switching to Gemini, reliability has dropped, with no improvement despite clearing the app's cache and storage.