Lost voice dial ability

[Mooncatt]

I didn't allow any updates, so I'm thinking Google forced a background update to Google Assistant because I can no longer use my headset to make a voice dialed call. When I press the button on my headset to make a call, it use to beep and then I could say who to call. Now, if the screen is off, I get a prompt to tap the notification to allow Assistant to use my headset. When I turn the screen on, there is no notification.

If the screen is on and I press the headset button to call, the assistant does pop up. I can voice dial with the phone's microphone (even though it was initiated via the headset, and I verified this is what happens), or tap the getting started button to completely setup Assistant.

I don't want to setup the full blown Assistant app (I'm not even crazy about using it to voice dial, but there are no alternatives) and never have in the past. Is there any way to get it to use my headset again like it was? I've gone to the Google services option from the phone settings and made sure Bluetooth permissions were granted there, but no luck.

 

[Rukbat]

I guess you could always try Google customer service. If they can't help, you might be able to persuade them to connect you to tech support for apps. (CS is pretty nice - they put up with me for a few months - and after the second dud, I don't think I was holding my temper in very well. They stayed pretty nice.)