Preliminary information
Before we dive into the heart of this tutorial and see it in detail how to use Ok Google, it is my duty to provide you with some preliminary information explaining what this feature is, who can use it and how.
“Ok Google” is a function thanks to which you can call up the Google Assistant without having to touch the screen and perform various actions using some voice commands. For example, you can search the Internet, set reminders, ask for weather information, and much more.
To use it, you must have an Android device updated to at least the version 4.4 of the operating system and you must have installed at least version 3.5 or higher of theGoogle app.
What should I do to use the Ok Google function? First you need to activate it, then you need to say the voice command “Ok Google” or “Hey Google” and start talking: let me guide you step-by-step in activating and using the function in question.
How Ok Google works on the phone
Let's see, first of all, how does OK Google work on the phone. In the next few lines, I'll explain how to use this feature on both Android and iPhone, and even how to call it up when the screen is off.
How to use Ok Google on Android
use Ok Google on Android, you must first activate the function in question. To do this, start the Google app on your device, tap the button (…) Other at the bottom right and, in the screen that opens, select the items Settings> Voice.
Select, though, the voice Voice Match present nella sezione Ok Google and, in the screen that opens, move up ON the switch lever located next to the wording Log in with Voice Match. By doing so, when the screen is active, you can say the voice command “Ok Google” and start talking to the assistant.
If this is the first time you have activated the setting in question, you will be asked to set a voiceprint, to recognize you and activate the Google assistant when you call it back by voice. In the screen that opens, then tap the button NEXT, read the conditions of use of the service, press the button (⌵), award your bottone Accept, say the sentences "Ok Google" ed "Hey Google " following the instructions that appear on the screen and, finally, tap the buttons NEXT e end, to complete the operation.
At this point, you are ready to use the “Ok Google” function. When the screen is active, say the command "Ok Google" or "Hey Google" and, as if by magic, you will see the Google Assistant interface appear on the screen: at that point, all you have to do is give the desired voice command and wait for the feedback from the system.
How to use Ok Google on iPhone
Want to use Ok Google on iPhone? Well, know that it is possible to do this too. To do this, download the Google app on your "iPhone by", start it, press the button (…) Other located in the lower right corner and, in the opened screen, tap on the items Settings > Voice.
Next, move up ON the switch lever located next to the wording Hotword "Ok Google": in this way, when you use the Google app, you can call the Assistant simply by saying the command "Ok Google " (instead of pressing the microphone visible on the screen).
Unlike what we saw in the previous chapter on Android, on iPhone it is not possible to activate the function that allows you to use the Ok Google command on any screen. However, it is possible to create one Siri shortcut which allows you to do this.
To enable it, start the Google Assistant app on your device, tap on the illuminated drawer located at the bottom right and tap the button Add on Siri. Then tap on red button to record the voice command "Ok Google" and, if the "Hey Siri" function is active on your device (in this guide I explained how to enable it), just say "Hey Siri, Ok Google" to call up the “Big G” voice assistant using Siri.
How to use Ok Google with the screen off
You would like to know if it is possible use Ok Google with the screen off? The answer is yes, but only for devices Android that support this feature. To use it, open the Google app again on your Android device, tap the button (…) Other located in the lower right corner of the screen and, in the screen that opens, select the items Settings> Voice.
Therefore, identify the section Ok Google located at the bottom of the screen, tap on the item Voice Match present inside it and, in the opened screen, move up ON the switch lever located next to the item Unlock with Voice Match.
Mission accomplished! Now you can finally unlock your device by saying the voice command Ok Google. Keep in mind, however, that as I have already told you previously, the feature that allows you to use the “Ok Google” command with the screen off may not work correctly on all Android devices. Understood?
How Ok Google Home works
You have a device Google Home? Well, then know that, as I already mentioned in the introduction of the article, the “Ok Google” function is also available on the famous “Big G” smart speaker. If you have already configured your device (if not, read the guide in which I explain in detail how to do this), all you have to do is take advantage of the function that allows you to use it through voice commands.
To proceed, all you have to do is activate the voice assistant, saying the usual phrases "Ok Google" o "Hey Google", and say the command you want to give (eg "Ok Google what are you up to today?" or "Hey Google, what are today's appointments?"). Simple, right?
If you want to, stop Google Home, just say the sentence "Ok Google, stop" or the phrase "Hey Google, stop" at any time.
For more information on how Google Home works, consult the guide I just linked to and, if possible, also take a look at this information page set up on the Google website.
How to use Ok Google
