This wikiHow teaches you how to get the most out of your Android device using Google Now, the smart personal assistant app launched by Google.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Google Now Feed
Step 1. Open the Google app
These apps are marked by a rainbow colored “G” icon on the home screen (or app drawer/page) of the device.
The Google Now Feed uses data from your device and account to share useful information with you throughout the day, including news, weather, and traffic conditions. The information is displayed in “cards” that are updated directly in the Google app
Step 2. Touch the button
It's in the top-left corner of the screen.
Step 3. Touch the Settings button
Step 4. Touch Your Feed
Step 5. Slide the “Feed” switch to the on position (“On”)
The color of the switch will turn blue to indicate that the feed is active.
If this is your first time using a feed, tap the option “ Set Up ”, then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
Step 6. Enable “Web & App Activity” option
This setting may instruct Google to use your search and web browsing activity to display relevant cards in the feed.
- In the Google app, touch the “ ☰" and select " Settings ”.
- Touch " Accounts & Privacy ”.
- Touch " Google Activity Controls ”.
- In the segment " Web & App Activity ”, slide the switch to the on position (“On”). The switch color will turn blue and your feed is active.
Step 7. Customize your feed
To view all available options, touch the “ ☰ ” in the Google app and select “ Customization You can customize your feed settings to your liking, but there are a few tips you might want to try:
- To view traffic and weather information in the feed, touch the option “ Home Set ” (home address) and “ Set Work ” (work address) to enter the addresses of both locations.
- Touch " Apps & Websites ” to select apps and sites that can be used in the Google Now feed. Select an app or website to enable (or disable) its location-based card in Google Now.
- Touch " Transportation ” to specify information about the transportation you use to work or school.
- To get updates on other things (eg other locations, sports teams, or stocks), select the desired topic, then follow the on-screen instructions to add preferences.
Step 8. Review your feed
Come back to the Google app whenever you want to see the information cards displayed in the feed.
- Touch the card to view the related article or application. The name of the source or app appears in the top-left corner of the card.
- Touch the button “ ⁝ ” in the upper-right corner of the card to change the topic's preferences.
- Swipe the card to the right to delete it.
- Your feed will evolve over time as Google Now can learn more about you.
Method 2 of 3: Using “OK Google” Voice Commands
Step 1. Open the Google app
These apps are marked by a rainbow colored “G” icon located on the home screen (or app drawer/page) of the device. Before you can give voice commands using Google Now, you need to enable it in settings.
Step 2. Touch the button
It's in the top-left corner of the screen.
Step 3. Touch Settings
Step 4. Touch Voice
Step 5. Select OK Google detection
Step 6. Slide the “From the Google app” switch to the on position (“On”)
The color of the switch will change to blue indicating that the voice command has been activated.
Step 7. Slide the “While driving” switch to the active position (“On”)
If you want to use voice commands while driving, this option allows you to use commands without having to unlock your device and access Google apps.
This option is not always available on all devices
Step 8. Press the “Home” button
It's a circular button at the bottom center of the screen. After that, you will be taken to the home screen of the device.
Step 9. Say “OK Google” into the device microphone
After that, the message “Listening…” will be displayed on the screen.
Step 10. Say the command
There are several examples of voice commands that can be used via OK Google. Besides English, OK Google can also be used in Indonesian. However, to use commands more effectively, you need to first set your language preferences in the Google settings menu. You can set Indonesian as the primary language, and English (or any other language) as the secondary language.
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Calendar and reminders:
- “Set an alarm for 7 AM tomorrow morning” or “Set an alarm for 7 AM tomorrow morning”
- “Remind me to call (name of recipient) at 4:30 PM next Tuesday” or “Set a reminder to call (name of recipient) at 4:30 PM next Tuesday”
- “Create a calendar event for Work Party on December 24th at 8 PM” or “Create an office party event on the calendar on December 24th at 8 PM”
- “What's on my schedule tomorrow?” or “What is my schedule tomorrow?”
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Communication:
- “Send a text to Mom” or “Send an SMS to Mom” (if mom's contact number on the phone is labeled as “Mom”)
- “Start a Hangout with Esme and Charles”
- “Listen to voicemail” or “Play voicemail”
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Journey:
- “Fastest route to work” or “Fastest route to work” (if you have set a workplace location)
- “What time is my flight?” or “My flight schedule”
- “Where's the nearest bar?” or “Where is the nearest bar?”
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Other searches:
- “What does Sarcasm mean?” or “What does sarcasm mean?”
- “Track my package” or “Track my package”
- “What's the tip for a $68 bill?” or “What is six times six?”
- “Who invented the lead pencil?” or “Who invented the steam engine?”
Method 3 of 3: Using Screen Search (or Google Now on Tap)
Step 1. Press and hold the “Home” button on the screen
It's a circular button or icon in the lower center of the screen. When the “Screen Search” message appears, you can release the button.
- Screen Search (also known as Google Now on Tap) displays more information about what's on the screen, without having to exit the currently open application.
- The search results will vary depending on what is displayed on the screen. Try this method with a variety of apps and websites to find out what information Screen Search can search for.
Step 2. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to view the search results
The following are examples of the search results you can find:
- If your screen shows a Facebook post about stage fright, you may see links to websites or videos about anxiety.
- If you are listening to music, you can view information about the song that is playing.
- If you're on the home screen, you'll see options to search for restaurants, cafes, hotels, shops, and other places near you.
Step 3. Touch the text icon to search for a specific text
This icon looks like a finger. If automatic search shows results that are too general, use this feature to search for more specific text on the screen. Touch the desired text to select it, then drag the blue bars to mark the selection. After that, the search results will be displayed immediately.
Tips
- If your Google Now cards are not showing (or not showing much), you may have set your privacy policy/settings too restrictive. Go to the “Web History” section of your Google account and enable the web history tracking option.
- If you're using a Pixel, Nexus, or Google Play Edition device, you can quickly open Google apps by swiping right on the home screen.
- Activate GPS so that the use of Google Now features can be maximized.
