How to set Cortana in Microsoft Launcher as your default Android voice assistant

Cortana on Android

When it comes to Microsoft's services on Android betwixt Cortana – the Android app – and Cortana in Launcher for Android there is some overlap. I recently wrote about the different UI designs with the Launcher version looking much amend, but the question for many is, practice you demand both?

Moreover, did yous know yous can gear up the Microsoft Launcher version of Cortana as your default vocalization assistant? Hither'due south how.

How to set Microsoft Launcher Cortana every bit default

Earlier we become started, make certain to read our other quick guide on how to enable Cortana in Microsoft Launcher if you are currently exterior the list of supported countries.

Setting Cortana in Launcher in Android 7.1.ane.

The procedure for assigning Cortana – the Microsoft Launcher version, not the app – as the default is straightforward. Assuming you lot have Android 7.1.one (the about common these days), here is how you do it:

Open up Settings > Apps and hitting the cog wheel in the upper correct corner.
Select Assist & vox input.
Select Assist app.
Choose Microsoft Launcher.

Perhaps a more natural, directly way is just to apply the Settings search and type in "voice" and choose Assist & voice input. You tin can then jump to steps three and 4.

Simply searching for "voice" is easier to gear up the default app.

If you are on Android 8.10 the process is similar, only there are some changes in the card structure and choice option:

Open up Settings > Apps & notifications.
Tap Advanced.
Cull Default apps.
Tap Assist & voice input > Assist app.
Cull Cortana (with the microphone).

The defoliation on Android viii.x is if you have both Cortana the app and Microsoft Launcher installed there are two Cortana listings, which is an early outcome. The 1 highlighted in the image beneath is the one you desire to pick.

In Android 8.10, there may be two Cortana apps to choose from.

Once enabled, every time y'all long press the Home key on your Android telephone yous'll get the new Cortana experience found in Microsoft Launcher, which I find more than satisfying. You lot can e'er, of class, change it dorsum following the same steps.

Practise you lot need both Cortanas?

The next obvious question is, do you need both Cortana experiences on your Android phone?

For now, the answer is it depends. The Cortana app still has some advantages like being a full app that reveals your Cortana interests (atmospheric condition, reminders, parcel tracking, news, etc.) and upcoming events in i location. Plus, you lot tin access and change the Cortana Notebook, devices like the Harmon Kardon Invoke, and general Cortana settings.

The new Cortana experience in the Launcher version looks great.

The Cortana app tin likewise do things similar ship a text or brand a telephone phone call, which the Cortana in Launcher cannot yet practice (it'southward still in beta, and then hopefully information technology will soon). When set up as default the Cortana app suddenly becomes much more than useful.

The Cortana app tin can make calls or send a text, something that Launcher cannot yet do.

Some of the in a higher place functionality is too duplicated in Microsoft Launcher. For instance, the Launcher has a mini-weather condition app (widget) and can pull in your calendar and To-Do lists from the deject. That info and then shows up in the Feed (swipe left). What the Microsoft Launcher does not offer is a centralized place to view and modify Cortana settings.

Whether any of those differences matter to you depends, of class, on how yous employ Cortana on Android. The Microsoft Launcher version – for now – is a lighter, more ambience version versus the dedicated app. But when you gear up the Microsoft Launcher Cortana every bit default for voice-assistant, the differences begin to fade.

Hopefully, Microsoft ports more than Cortana functionality into the Launcher version in the future making it less of a choice for current users.