If you frequently use Google Assistant, you've probably experienced it activating on its own mid-conversation or, conversely, ignoring you completely when there's background noise. Fortunately, today it's possible to... Adjust the sensitivity of the "Ok Google" or "Hey Google" command to adapt it to both quiet environments and particularly noisy places, avoiding those awkward moments when the assistant jumps out without anyone calling it.
Google has been refining this tool for some time to make the Assistant more accurate and, incidentally, to collect fewer unnecessary recordings. Among these changes, it has introduced a specific sensitivity control that allows Define how easily the Assistant is activated upon hearing the activation phraseThis feature is primarily designed for smart speakers and displays, but it fits with the company's overall voice strategy: an ecosystem where you can talk to your devices naturally, with more control over your privacy and user experience.
What does adjusting the sensitivity of "Ok Google" mean?
When we talk about sensitivity, we are referring to the ease with which a device interprets that it has heard "Hey Google" or "Ok Google"If the sensitivity is high, the assistant will react more frequently to sounds similar to the activation phrase; if it is low, it will be more difficult to activate and you will have to pronounce it more clearly.
Google has incorporated three possible levels into many of its smart speakers and displays: "Less sensitive", "Default" and "More sensitive"The default setting equates to the classic behavior of the assistant, while the other two extremes allow, on the one hand, minimizing accidental firing and, on the other, Improve response in rooms with a lot of ambient noise.such as living rooms with the TV on, kitchens with appliances, or workspaces.
This sensitivity control is integrated within the Google Home app and is part of the package of changes that the company announced after deciding reduce the amount of audio data it stores about user interactions. The underlying idea is that the assistant should be helpful without being intrusive, and that you decide how much you want it to monitor everything that's said around it.
How to adjust the sensitivity of "Hey Google" on Google Home
To change the sensitivity of a smart speaker or display using the Assistant, you need to use the Google Home app installed on your phone or tablet. From there you can individually configure the reaction of each device in response to the activation phrase.
The general steps They are very simple, although the appearance of the interface may vary slightly depending on the version of the application:
- Open the application Google Home on your mobile device
- At the bottom, click on the tab "Start" to view linked rooms and devices.
- Press and hold the icon smart speaker or smart display where you want to change the sensitivity.
- Tap the icon Device settings (usually appears at the top right).
- In the audio section or similar, enter the option "Ok Google Sensitivity" or "Hey Google Sensitivity".
- Select your preferred sensitivity level: less sensitive, default, or more sensitive.
In some cases, you'll also see a shortcut to "Adjust more devices"This allows you to apply a different configuration to each speaker in your home. It's useful, for example, to have a more sensitive device in the kitchen and a less sensitive one in the living room, depending on the type of noise in each area.
When is it appropriate to increase or decrease sensitivity?
The fine control of this option helps you to balancing comfort and precisionThere are situations where you want the Assistant to be less picky and others where you need it to make a greater effort to listen to you:
Increase sensitivity (mode "More sensitive") is useful when:
- You use the device in noisy environments (bars, shared offices, kitchens with the extractor hood running, etc.).
- The usual distance between you and the speaker is large, for example if it is at the back of the room.
- You speak to a soft voice Or you tend to give orders from another room.
Conversely, reducing sensitivity (mode "Less sensitive") can save you from quite a few annoying moments when:
- The Assistant activates too easily when listening to television, radio, or conversations between several people.
- It usually reacts to phrases similar to "Ok Google", even if no one is trying to use it.
- You share a room with other devices with voice assistants and you want to prevent everyone from waking up at the same time.
It's recommended to try different options in each room for a few days until you find the point where Accidental activations are minimized But you can still use the assistant without having to shout at it.
Voice Match, voice model and creation of your vocal fingerprint
Besides sensitivity, the other major pillar of Google's voice recognition is Voice MatchThis system creates a specific model of your voice so that the assistant can identify you and adapt the responses to your account, calendar, reminders, or personal preferences.
To train that model from an Android mobile or tablet, you need to go to the Assistant settings:
- On your Android phone, open the Google Assistant app or the Google app.
- Say out loud «Assistant Settings» or manually enter the settings menu.
- In the section of "Popular settings", click on Voice Match.
- Make sure the option "Hey Google" it's activated.
- Accede to "Voice model" and choose «Recreate the voice model» whether you already had one or were creating one for the first time.
- Follow the on-screen instructions, repeating the phrases the system asks you to several times.
It is essential that this process be done in a quiet environment and a reasonable distance from the device. You can vary the tone and intonation slightly with each repetition so that Voice Match can better recognize your natural nuances. If the recording is noisy or otherwise problematic, the chances of activations by voices that sound similar to yours or that the assistant fails to identify you.
Activate "Hey Google" on Android and iOS mobile devices
On Android, voice search and Assistant are almost built-in. To start using voice commands, simply speak. "Ok Google" or "Hey Google" and submit your query. However, it's advisable to check that the function is actually enabled:
- Open the app Google on your phone.
- Tap your profile picture or the Google icon in the top right.
- Sign in More > Settings and go to the section Voz .
- Press on Voice Match and activate «Hey Google».
If you wish, you can also configure the extent to which the assistant can respond with the screen locked, so that Do not display overly personal information. if the mobile phone is not unlocked by fingerprint, PIN or pattern.
On iPhone, the process is different because Apple's system uses Siri as its primary assistant. What you can do is install the Google Assistant app y create custom voice shortcutsSo you can say something like "Hey Siri, OK Google" to open the Google Assistant within iOS. It's not as straightforward as on Android, but it allows you to combine the best of both assistants on the same device.