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How to Use 'Ok, Google' Offline

What Google Assistant can and can't do offline

By Jody Emlyn Muelaner Jody Emlyn Muelaner Writer University of Bath Dr. Jody Muelander is a former freelance contributor to Lifewire who's writing has appeared in peer-reviewed journals and aerospace industry reports. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on April 22, 2021 Reviewed by Ryan Perian Reviewed by Ryan Perian Western Governors University Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email

In This Article

Expand Jump to a Section How to Use Offline Speech Recognition While Offline How to Use Navigation Offline How to Play Music Offline Voice commands can be useful when you don’t have a good internet connection, such as when driving. For this reason, it’s important to understand what the Google Assistant can and can't do offline, and how to use "Ok Google" offline to get it to do more. The instructions in this guide apply to Android 10 and higher.

How to Use ' Ok Google' Offline

Saying "Ok, Google" while offline still launches the Google Assistant, but, you may encounter some issues. Voice recognition may be less accurate while offline, and the Google Assistant may be unable to access the services you’re asking for. To fix the second problem, you need to download any relevant data in advance. For example, download any music you might want to listen to and download the maps of any areas you might want to navigate. Accessing information like the latest news or weather isn't possible without an internet connection.

Getting Google to Understand You While Offline

The Google Assistant's speech recognition can be inaccurate when used offline, although you might be lucky if you have an accent it finds particularly easy to understand. Unfortunately, if you experience this problem, there doesn’t seem to be any way to fix it currently.

How to Use ' Ok Google' Offline for Navigation

Offline navigation is greatly improved if you download Google maps of any areas you're visiting in advance. Here's how to do it. In the Google Maps app on your Android device, tap your Profile icon and then select Offline maps. Tap SELECT YOUR OWN MAP. Zoom and pan until the area you want is within the blue box and then tap DOWNLOAD. You are taken back to the Offline maps screen where you can see your offline maps and some status information. Your map downloads and automatically updates when required. Now, when you say, for example, “Hey Google, Navigate to Home,” Google Maps should begin navigation, provided you downloaded the maps required to get you from where you are to your saved home location. Unfortunately, you can’t ask Google to take you anywhere else. If you type the address into Google Maps, it will work. If you ask for a contact, Google Assistant retrieves the address. But, Google Assistant won't place the address into maps and start navigation unless it has an internet connection.

How to Use ' Ok Google' to Play Music While Offline

Getting the Google Assistant to play music while offline is easy. First, make sure your preferred music app is set up in Google Assistant. Open the Google app and then tap More > Settings > Google Assistant. Tap the Services tab, then select Music. Choose your preferred music app by clicking the circular button to its right. Close the Google app. Ensure you've downloaded songs in your music app or transferred some MP3 files to your Android device. Say, “Hey Google, play music.” If you’re offline, it plays the songs stored on your device. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Use Google Home With Your iPhone How to Connect an Xbox to Google Home How to Use Google Home as a House Intercom System How to Stop Navigation Using Google Assistant OK Google Not Working? 12 Ways to Fix It How to Use Google Duplex to Make Restaurant Reservations How To Use 'Google Now on Tap' on Android How to Change the Google Maps Navigation Voice What Android Auto Is and How to Use It How to Set up and Use Google Assistant on Your Chromebook How to Turn Off Google Assistant on an Android Tablet How to Download Google Maps Offline On Your Android Device How to Set Up ‘OK Google' on iOS and Android The 22 Best Free iPad Apps of 2022 How to Use a Chromebook Offline How to Find a Lost Phone With Google Home Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies