Amazon’s Alexa can now be set as the default voice assistant on Android phones. The option was made available after the online e-commerce giant demonstrated Alexa’s integration with Microsoft’s Cortana during Build 2018. Before this, Cortana was the only other option to Android users looking to swap out Google Assistant.
Compared to Google Assistant, Alexa still can’t perform certain functions, such as opening up maps to your next destination or making calls via voice command. Alexa also won’t spring to life when you call its name; a feature that is standard with Google Assistant.
So far, Alexa’s availability seems to be limited to a select number of smartphones. This includes the Google Pixel 2, OnePlus 5, OnePlus One, some Sony Xperia models, Moto G5 Plus, Essential Phone 1, and the Samsung Galaxy Note8, S8 Plus, and S9 series.
At the time of writing, Amazon has not made Alexa available for Android devices in Malaysia. In addition, the company has not indicated if and when it intends to make the feature available to Android users in the country. So, even if you somehow manage to download the feature on to your phone, your mileage may vary.
