Tired of hearing the same voice every time you say “Hey Google”? You’re not stuck with it. Google lets you change Google Assistant’s voice on your phone or smart speaker, including deeper, more masculine-sounding options. The catch is that the settings have moved around a lot over the years, and on newer phones “Google Assistant” may not even be what’s answering you anymore. Here’s exactly where everything lives in 2026, whether your device runs classic Assistant or the newer Gemini.
The short version: Google no longer labels its voices “male” and “female.” Instead you pick from a set of voices shown as colored swatches, several of which sound masculine. On a phone with classic Google Assistant, say “Hey Google, open Assistant settings,” tap Assistant voice & sounds, and swipe through the colors until you find one you like. It changes instantly and syncs to your Nest speakers on the same account. If your phone has switched to Gemini (most newer Android phones have), open the Gemini app, tap your profile picture, go to Settings, then Gemini’s voice, and preview the list of named voices until one fits. Either way it takes under a minute and applies everywhere you’re signed in.
First, figure out what’s actually answering you
This is the step that trips most people up. Google has been moving Android phones from the classic Google Assistant to Gemini, its newer AI assistant, and the two keep their voice settings in completely different places.
The fastest test: long-press your power button or say “Hey Google” and look at what pops up. If you see the classic compact Assistant bar with four dots, you’re on Assistant. If a Gemini panel slides up (usually with a sparkle logo and a text box inviting you to ask anything), you’re on Gemini. Pixels and most flagship Android phones sold since 2024 default to Gemini; older phones, budget models, and smart speakers still run classic Assistant.
Not sure? No problem: just try the matching set of steps below. Each one takes seconds.
Change the voice in classic Google Assistant
Back in 2017, Google offered exactly two choices: Voice I and Voice II, informally the female and male voice. Today there’s a whole palette, and Google deliberately names them after colors instead of genders. Several of them, try Amber or Green first, have the deeper tone people are usually after when they search for a “male voice.”
- Say “Hey Google, open Assistant settings”, or go to Settings, then Google, then All services, and find Search, Assistant & Voice, then Google Assistant.
- Scroll down and tap Assistant voice & sounds.
- You’ll see a row of colored circles. Tap each one to hear a preview. There are no gender labels, so let your ears decide.
- Stop on the one you like. That’s it. There’s no save button. The change applies immediately.
The new voice kicks in for everything Assistant says out loud: answers, directions, timers, and reading your messages.
An even faster shortcut
You can skip the menus entirely. Just say “Hey Google, change your voice.” Assistant either switches to a different voice on the spot or drops you straight into the voice picker. Say it again to keep cycling if the first swap isn’t what you wanted.
What about Nest speakers and displays?
Voice choice is tied to your Google account, not to one device. Change it on your phone and your Nest Mini, Nest Hub, and any other speakers linked to the same account start using the new voice too. If a shared speaker still answers someone else in the old voice, that’s Voice Match doing its job: each person in the household gets the voice they picked on their own account.
On iPhone
Using the Google Assistant app on iOS? Open the app, tap your profile picture, choose Assistant voice, and pick from the same colored options. Siri’s own voice is a separate setting in iOS and has nothing to do with this.
Change the voice in Gemini
If your phone has made the jump to Gemini, the Assistant settings above may be missing or grayed out. Gemini has its own voice picker, and honestly, it’s the better one. The voices are more natural, and there are around ten to choose from, each with a name (they’re themed after stars and constellations, like Orbit, Vega, and Capella) rather than a color. Several sit clearly in the deeper, masculine range.
- Open the Gemini app (or bring up Gemini however you normally do and tap through to the full app).
- Tap your profile picture in the top corner.
- Tap Settings, then look for Gemini’s voice (on some versions it’s inside Gemini Live settings).
- Tap through the list. Each voice plays a short preview so you can compare.
- Select the one you want and back out. Done.
Your pick applies to spoken answers and to Gemini Live, the free-flowing voice conversation mode. Like Assistant, it syncs with your account, so the same voice follows you to other devices where you use Gemini.
Why can’t I just pick “male”?
Fair question, since that’s literally what people search for. Around 2018 Google stopped labeling voices by gender and started assigning colors (and later, names) instead, and it randomizes which voice new users get by default. The stated reasoning: voice assistants defaulting to female voices reinforced some tired stereotypes, and plenty of voices don’t fit neatly in either box anyway. The practical effect for you is simply that you preview with your ears instead of reading a label. It takes a few extra taps, but you also get far more variety than the old Voice I / Voice II toggle ever offered.
Troubleshooting: the voice won’t change
- The setting is missing. On newer phones this usually means you’ve been moved to Gemini: use the Gemini steps above. The classic Assistant voice picker only exists where classic Assistant is still active.
- Fewer voices than expected. The full lineup is only available with your device language set to English (US). Other languages get a smaller set: usually two or more voices, but not the whole palette. Check Settings, System, Languages if you want to switch.
- The speaker didn’t update. Give it a minute, then try a test question. Still stubborn? Reboot the speaker or check that it’s linked to the same Google account in the Google Home app.
- It changed for you but not your partner. That’s Voice Match: voice choice is per person. They’ll need to pick their preferred voice from their own account.
- The app looks nothing like these steps. Update the Google app (or Gemini app) from the Play Store. Google shuffles these menus regularly, and old app versions show old layouts.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still switch Google Assistant to a male voice?
Yes, in effect. Google removed the male/female labels, but the voice picker still includes several deeper, masculine-sounding voices. Open Assistant settings, tap Assistant voice & sounds, and preview the colored options until you hear one you like. On Gemini, do the same from Settings, then Gemini’s voice. The change is instant and applies across your signed-in devices.
Does changing the voice affect other people using our smart speaker?
No. Thanks to Voice Match, a shared Nest speaker recognizes who’s talking and answers each household member in the voice that person chose on their own Google account. Your switch to a deeper voice won’t touch anyone else’s experience, and theirs won’t touch yours.
Why don’t I see all the voices on my phone?
Voice availability depends on your language setting. English (US) gets the full lineup; most other languages and regional English variants get a shorter list. If you’re comfortable with US English, switching your Assistant or device language unlocks the complete set of voices. Also make sure the Google or Gemini app is up to date, since older versions hide newer voices.
Is Google Assistant going away completely?
On phones, largely yes: Google has been replacing Assistant with Gemini on Android, and most new phones ship with Gemini answering “Hey Google” out of the box. Classic Assistant lives on longer on smart speakers and displays, though Gemini is rolling out to those too. Practically, it just means your voice setting lives in the Gemini app rather than the old Assistant menu, and the steps above cover both.
Akshay Mhatre is a Tech Journalist who likes to keep up with the latest from the tech world. He has worked at many popular news portals like BGR and TechRadar before joining TheLeaker as a News writer and journalist. A writer by day and a VFX artist by night. In his free time, he also likes to make motion graphics and concept art. You can find him on Instagram @akshayrazr_95 and contact him on akshaymhatre[@]theleaker.com.