Google Assistant can respond while a phone is locked, which is convenient for timers and simple questions but uncomfortable if it reads personal messages, calendar items, or notification details out loud. Lock-screen Assistant has its own privacy controls.
These steps apply to Android phones with Google Assistant enabled, including Pixel, Samsung, Motorola, and similar phones.
Does This Affect You?
Use this if a locked phone on a table could answer personal questions or show account-related results before you unlock it.
Turn Off Personal Results on the Lock Screen
- Open the Google app.
- Tap your profile picture and open Settings.
- Tap Google Assistant.
- Open Lock screen or Lock screen personal results.
- Turn off Show personal results.
After this, Assistant can still handle basic non-personal requests while locked, but it should ask you to unlock before reading messages, calendar details, or account-specific answers.
Block Assistant While the Phone Is Locked
- Open Settings > Apps.
- Open Google, or search Settings for Assistant.
- Go to Google Assistant > General or the lock screen section.
- Turn off Assistant on lock screen if that option appears.
Assistant will still work normally after the phone is unlocked. This only changes behavior while the lock screen is showing.
What These Settings Do and Do Not Change
Sensitive Actions Already Need Unlocking
Assistant should not unlock the phone, open banking apps, or make purchases while locked. These settings focus on whether personal information is spoken or displayed before unlock.
Bixby Has Separate Controls
On Samsung phones, Bixby can have its own lock-screen behavior controlled through Advanced features and Side key settings. Changing Google Assistant does not change Bixby.
This Is Different from Screen Lock
Your PIN, password, pattern, fingerprint, or face unlock still protects the phone itself. Assistant lock-screen settings cover the narrower case of voice or button responses before authentication.
Sources
- Google Support: Manage Google Assistant on your lock screen
- Google Support: Turn Google Assistant on or off
- Google Support: Control privacy with Google Assistant