voice: Three ways to use ‘popular’ apps on Android smartphones with voice commands
Google already has a pretty functional voice command feature integrated right into the Android operating system. The operating system comes with Google Assistant that can execute several actions from web searches, setting up an alarm, checking notifications to open WhatsApp and sending a message.
Additionally, Android also has an accessibility feature called ‘Voice Access’ that allows users to take full control of their Android device using voice commands. What that means is that users can navigate the UI using voice commands. It enables users to say things like Open web browser and open www.gadgetsnow.com. This also includes basic commands like Go back, next page, delete an app, download app, Open MX Player or Prime Video and search for a particular TV or show.
If that’s a little more extensive, then some OTT apps, Google Play Store, browsers, etc offer a native voice search feature.
So, in this explainer, we will tell you all the three ways of using voice commands on your Android smartphone or tablet.
Using Google Assistant
For this, you’ll need to enable Google Assistant on your smartphone and set it up to recognise your voice. Here are the steps you need to follow:
- Open Google app on your smartphone or tablet. If it’s not installed, download it from Google Play Store
- Tap on your profile icon and head to
Settings - Here, tap on the Google Assistant option
- Scroll down and tap on the ‘Hey Google & Voice Match’ option
- Enable Hey Google toggle.It will then open a Voice match page where you’ll need to teach Google Assistant to recognise your voice by following the guidelines.
- After this, head back to the ‘Google Assistant’ settings and tap on ‘Languages’
- Then tap on ‘Add a language’ and choose the language of your choice.
- From the Settings page, tap on the Lock screen and enable the ‘Assistant response on lock screen’ toggle.
- You can also choose whether you want to see personal results from Assistant on the lock screen or not.
- At last, head to the ‘Settings’ page and tap on ‘Offline Speech Recognition’ and download your preferred language. This will ensure that the voice command will work even without an internet connection.
That’s it. Google Assistant is ready on your smartphone. All you have to do is just say the magic words and the Assistant will get it done for you.
Using Voice Access
Voice Access is an accessibility feature that enables UI control using voice commands. All the smartphones running Android 5 or newer will support this feature.
To start with this, head to Google Play Store and download the Voice Access app.
Ignore this step, if it is already installed on your handset.
Now, head to ‘Settings → Accessibility → Voice Access and enable it.
Don’t forget to enable the Voice Access shortcut
After this, it will take you through a basic tutorial on how to use Voice Access to navigate through the smartphone. Also, under the Voice Access Settings, there’s a complete list of commands that you can use.
Once everything is set and ready, all you need to do is tap on the shortcut or ask Google Assistant to enable Voice Access and say the command like Open WhatsApp, scroll up, down, answer a call, decline a call, make a call, etc.
Using native voice support of apps
As mentioned, apps like Chrome, Play Store, OTT apps, etc come with built-in voice search features. That allows users to speak and search. For instance, you want to search for a video on YouTube.
Simply open the app and tap on the ‘mic’ icon at the top right corner and speak. YouTube to run that search for you. The same applies to other apps that feature a microphone icon within the app.
