When your Sony Xperia 1 VI's voice assistant stops responding, it can feel like you've lost a key feature of your flagship phone. Whether it's Google Assistant not activating with "Hey Google" or the dedicated side button not working, here are the steps to get it back on track.
Verify Google Assistant is Enabled and Set Up
First, let's make sure the assistant is actually ready to go. Open the Google app on your phone and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. Go to Settings > Google Assistant.
In the Assistant settings, tap on "Hey Google & Voice Match." Ensure the "Hey Google" toggle is switched on. If it's off, turn it on and follow the prompts to retrain the voice model. This process teaches your phone to recognize your specific voice pattern.
Check the Side Key Assistant Setting
The Xperia 1 VI has a customizable side key. By default, a long press launches Google Assistant, but this can be changed. Go to your phone's Settings > Advanced features > Side key.
Under "Press and hold," make sure "Launch Google Assistant" is selected. If it's set to "Power off menu" or something else, the button won't trigger the assistant. This is a common oversight after tinkering with settings.
Ensure the Google App Has Microphone Permission
If the app can't access your microphone, it can't hear you. Go to Settings > Apps > See all apps. Find and tap on "Google" in the list.
Tap Permissions and make sure "Microphone" is allowed. If it's denied, the assistant won't work. While you're here, also check that the Google app itself is not restricted or put to sleep by any battery optimization settings.
Restart Your Xperia 1 VI
A simple reboot clears out temporary software glitches that can freeze background services like the assistant. Press and hold the Power button and Volume Up button together for about ten seconds.
You'll feel the phone vibrate and see the Sony logo as it restarts. This is the standard force restart method for the Xperia 1 VI. Test the assistant again once it's fully booted up.
Update the Google App and Android System
Outdated software is a frequent culprit. Open the Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, and go to Manage apps & device > Updates available. Look for the Google app and update it.
Next, check for a system update. Go to Settings > System > Software update. Sony's updates for the Xperia 1 VI can be less frequent than other brands, but when they arrive, they often contain important bug fixes.
Clear Cache for the Google App
Corrupted cache data can break functionality without deleting your personal info. Go back to Settings > Apps > Google. Tap Storage & cache.
Tap "Clear cache." This is a safe first step. If the problem persists, you can try "Clear storage" or "Manage space" > "Clear all data." Be aware this will reset the app, requiring you to sign back in and retrain "Hey Google."
Check for Digital Wellbeing or Focus Mode Interference
Android's Focus modes or Digital Wellbeing timers can sometimes restrict app functionality. Swipe down twice for the Quick Settings panel and look for a "Focus mode" tile to ensure it's off.
You can also go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing & parental controls to check if any schedules or modes are active that might be blocking the Google app from running.
Retrain the Voice Match Model
Background noise, a different speaking style, or just a glitch can make the voice model unreliable. Go to Google app > Settings > Google Assistant > Hey Google & Voice Match.
Tap "Retrain voice model" and follow the on-screen instructions, speaking clearly in a normal tone. I've found this fixes recognition issues more often than not, especially if you've recently moved to a noisier or quieter environment.
Review Accessibility and Sound Settings
Certain accessibility features can override microphone behavior. Go to Settings > Accessibility. Look for features like "Sound notifications" or "Live Transcribe" and ensure they are turned off for testing.
Also, check that your main media volume is turned up. You can press the volume buttons and tap the settings icon that appears to adjust all sliders, ensuring "Media" volume isn't muted.
Reset App Preferences or All Settings
If you're still stuck, resetting app preferences can fix permissions and default app assignments without deleting data. Go to Settings > System > Reset options.
Tap "Reset app preferences." This resets permissions, background restrictions, and default app links. For a more thorough reset, "Reset all settings" will revert all system settings (like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections) back to factory defaults, but your personal files and apps remain intact.