Android users can now have Microsoft's Cortana as their default assistant

Microsoft Windows 10 users are no doubt familiar with the company’s digital assistant Cortana. The platform has even seen its way to not only Windows mobile devices running Windows 8.1 or later, but also to devices running iOS and Android as well. Now, the latest update (v2.8) to the Android application allows users to replace Google Assistant with Cortana as the default search assistant.

Android users could interact with Cortana from the lock screen since March, but with the latest update accessing the assistant has become even easier. By simply long-pressing on the home button and swiping up (an action typically reserved for launching Google Assistant) users can now launch directly into Cortana.

If you’ve been thinking of making the switch to Cortana, or enjoying using it on your Windows device, now might be a good chance to try it out on Android as well. If you’re installing the assistant for the first time, you’ll be greeted with a simple set-up process. Then, to access the application from the home screen, you’ll be prompted to change the default “Assist app” from the "Assist & voice input" portion of the device settings menu.

Whether you prefer Google Assistant, Cortana, or even Samsung’s assistant included with the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus, Bixby, Android users are being given more choice in how they can access their preferred application. With the latest integrating update to Cortana, you might even think that it was included as part of the device.

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