Google Assistant can read notifications aloud, but only if you set it up first
Google Assistant does not automatically read your notifications to you. Instead, you have to turn on a specific feature called notification reading, and it only works on Android devices. Once enabled, Google Assistant will read aloud notifications from apps you choose — like text messages, emails, or calendar reminders — when you ask it to or when your phone is locked and a notification arrives.
The feature works best when your phone is in a quiet environment, because Google Assistant reads the notification content directly through your phone's speaker. You can control which apps it reads from, how often it reads them, and whether it reads them automatically or only when you request it.
Key Takeaways
- Notification reading is an Android-only feature that requires you to enable it in Google Assistant settings before it works.
- You can choose which apps Google Assistant reads notifications from, so you control whether it announces texts, emails, calendar events, or other alerts.
- Google Assistant can read notifications aloud when your phone is locked, when you ask it directly, or both — you decide which mode you prefer.
- The feature reads the notification text itself, not a summary, so you hear exactly what the app sent to your phone.
How to turn on notification reading in Google Assistant
Open the Google Assistant app on your Android phone and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. Select Settings, then tap Assistant. Scroll down and tap Notifications. Toggle on Read notifications aloud.
After you turn on the feature, Google Assistant will ask you which apps you want it to read notifications from. You can add or remove apps at any time by going back to the same Notifications settings page. The list includes messaging apps, email clients, calendar apps, and any other app that sends notifications to your phone.
Choosing which apps Google Assistant reads from
Not every notification needs to be read aloud. In the Notifications settings, you will see a list of apps that can send notifications. Tap the toggle next to each app name to turn notification reading on or off for that specific app. For example, you might want Google Assistant to read text messages and calendar reminders but skip notifications from social media or news apps.
You can change these settings whenever you want. If you add a new app later and want Google Assistant to read its notifications, go back to the same settings page and toggle it on. The feature remembers your choices until you change them again.
When Google Assistant reads notifications aloud
By default, Google Assistant reads notifications aloud only when your phone is locked. This means if you are actively using your phone, notifications will appear on your screen as usual but will not be read aloud. If you want Google Assistant to read notifications even when your phone is unlocked, you can adjust this in the same Notifications settings page.
You can also ask Google Assistant to read your notifications at any time by saying "Hey Google, read my notifications." This works whether your phone is locked or unlocked, and Google Assistant will read all unread notifications from the apps you have enabled.
What happens when Google Assistant reads a notification
When a notification arrives and Google Assistant reads it, you hear the app name first, then the full text of the notification. For example, if you receive a text message, Google Assistant will say the sender's name and then read the message word for word. If you receive a calendar reminder, it will read the event title and time.
Google Assistant uses your phone's speaker to read notifications, so the volume depends on your phone's current volume setting. If your phone is on silent or vibrate, Google Assistant will not read notifications aloud — it will only read them if you ask directly. You can adjust your phone's volume before or after a notification arrives to control how loud the reading is.
Notification reading does not work on iPhone or iPad
This feature is only available on Android devices. If you use an iPhone or iPad, Google Assistant cannot read notifications aloud in the same way. Apple devices have a different notification system, and Google Assistant does not have permission to access and read notifications on iOS.
iPhone users can use Siri to read notifications, or they can enable Announce Messages in Settings, which reads incoming text messages and calls aloud through Siri. This is a built-in Apple feature, not a Google Assistant feature.
Troubleshooting notification reading
If Google Assistant is not reading your notifications, check that you have turned on the feature in Settings and that the specific app is toggled on in your notification list. Also verify that your phone is not on silent mode — Google Assistant will not read notifications aloud if your phone's volume is muted.
Make sure you have the latest version of the Google Assistant app installed. If the feature still does not work, try turning it off and back on in Settings. If you are using an older Android phone, your device may not support this feature — notification reading requires Android 6.0 or later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Google Assistant read notifications from all apps?
Google Assistant can read notifications from most apps, but you have to enable each one individually in Settings. Some apps may not send notifications that Google Assistant can read, depending on how the app is built. You will see a list of compatible apps in your Notifications settings.
Will Google Assistant read notifications if my phone is on silent?
No. If your phone is on silent or vibrate mode, Google Assistant will not read notifications aloud automatically. You can still ask Google Assistant to read your notifications by saying "Hey Google, read my notifications," but it will not do so on its own.
Can I hear notifications read aloud while my phone is locked?
Yes, that is the default behavior. When notification reading is turned on, Google Assistant reads notifications aloud when your phone is locked. If you unlock your phone, notifications will appear on your screen but will not be read aloud unless you ask Google Assistant to read them.
Does Google Assistant read notifications on smartwatches?
Google Assistant can read notifications on some Android smartwatches, but the feature works differently than on phones. The availability depends on your watch model and the version of Wear OS it runs. Check your smartwatch settings to see if notification reading is available.
What if I do not want Google Assistant to read certain notifications?
Go to Google Assistant Settings, select Notifications, and toggle off the apps you do not want read aloud. You can turn apps on and off at any time without affecting other settings. This gives you full control over which notifications are announced.