Enable "OK Google" From Any Screen On Android

[DroidModderX]

​

The "OK Google" feature of Google Now is a great and easy way to get answers from the web, launch apps, get directions, and much more on your Android device. By default you can only use this feature from within the Google Now screen or from the home screen. You can't enable it with the screen off or from within other apps by default, but there is a way to make the "Ok Google" recognition work from any screen.

To Enable "Ok Google" recognition from any screen.

1. Open Google Now Launcher
2. Slide out the menu from the left edge of your screen
3. Tap on Settings, Voice, "Ok Google Detection"
4. Check the "From Any Screen Option"
5. It will ask you to setup recognition by repeating "Ok Google" many times
6. Check the "When Locked" enable recognition even when the screen is off or device is locked
7. Enjoy

 

[cr6]

Hmmmm....I've been able activate Google Now
with the screen off since I got my S5. Is this just new on certain devices?

S5 tap'n

 

[DroidModderX]

it worked on my Nexus 6

 

[Ollie]

We just had along discussion about this in another thread. Before the recent update it would not work on the lockscreen. I could use SVOICE from the lockscreen, but not Google.

All appears to be working fine now though.

 

[xeene]

Hmmmm....I've been able activate Google Now
with the screen off since I got my S5. Is this just new on certain devices?

S5 tap'n

I got to try this on Xperia. Thought it only worked for Motorola devices with active display.

Just tried it with screen off and it doesn't work.

 

[Ollie]

I got to try this on Xperia. Thought it only worked for Motorola devices with active display.

Just tried it with screen off and it doesn't work.

That was the problem I had recently and now it works on a locked screen as well.

 

[xeene]

Wish it would work when screen was off.

 

[Jonny Kansas]

Hmmmm....I've been able activate Google Now
with the screen off since I got my S5. Is this just new on certain devices?

S5 tap'n

Worked out of the box on my Note 4 as well, but I believe it is or just finished rolling out to other devices. Also, not sure if android version matters, but it threw me off for a second when I went into the settings on the Note 4, because the s4 definitely didn't have the option when I restored it and gave it to my gf.

 

[PereDroid]

If it works with the screen off on our older phones I bet it would just destroy battery life.

 

[Jonny Kansas]

If it works with the screen off on our older phones I bet it would just destroy battery life.

I've heard claims that it doesn't, but I don't use it. Don't like the idea of anyone bypassing the lock screen, even if all they can do is call & text people, but I imagine you could also tell it to open just about any app.

Plus, if I'm using Google now, I'm going to have the screen on anyway because I intend to read the results, so it doesn't bother me to unlock it, then say ok Google.

Sent from my Note 4

 

[RyanPm40]

Hm, the lock screen checkbox works if my screen is on and locked, but not if the screen is off.

 

[Jonny Kansas]

You need the Always On option.

I don't think they've finished rolling it out yet & I'm not sure if there's a cutoff for android versions it'll work with.

Funny thing though, from any screen is gone & I don't have always on checked, but mine works from within every app I've tried it from so far.

Sent from my Note 4

 

[leeshor]

I'm trying to figure out why it has always worked on any screen on my S4 and LG Optimus Pro and I didn't set anything to get it to work. However, this does solve an issue my sister had with her S5.

 

[bsweetness]

Hmmmm....I've been able activate Google Now
with the screen off since I got my S5. Is this just new on certain devices?

I'm 99.9999% sure that it is only available on certain devices. I haven't seen a list of supported devices anywhere (or a mention of whether or not a certain version of Android is required), but I know there are a number of phones that it doesn't work on.

 

[Jonny Kansas]

I'm 99.9999% sure that it is only available on certain devices. I haven't seen a list of supported devices anywhere (or a mention of whether or not a certain version of Android is required), but I know there are a number of phones that it doesn't work on.

Is there an echo in here...? Haha! Glad to know we're on the same page. Figured maybe I missed something, but if you don't know either, I feel better.