Why does OK Google not search by voice command anymore?

[Android Central Question]

Latest software update has screwed up my LG20 so bad! Ok Google now pulls up a half pane at the bottom of my phone with the text "how can I help?" And then you are no longer able to do voice command, but you have to touch it and type. The amazing thing about OK Google was that you can say "OK Google directions to home" and it would take you there now it is worthless! How can I get that amazing feature back?

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! It's Google Assistant now, which has been around for quite some time. Take a little bit to read about it and learn how to use it: https://support.google.com/assistant/answer/7172657?co=GENIE.Platform=Android&hl=en

 

[laurelp52]

This happened to me also. I found an app on my phone I did not download "Google Wellbeing", it is a very controlling app designed to help you disconnect from using your phone so much.??? really? It seems more geared toward "Nest" also.
I disabled the app and Google assistant answered when I said Okay Google, like it used to. Later, after restarting my phone, it quit working again. All the settings for google assistant were operable EXCEPT "voice match". So I am stumped.

 

[B. Diddy]

It's Digital Wellbeing: https://wellbeing.google/. Apple does it as well: https://digitalwellbeing.org/apple-launches-ios-12-with-suite-of-digital-wellbeing-features/. Digital wellbeing seemed to be one of the tech buzzwords of 2018, but it never really impacted me much, so I disabled it as well. I doubt that's what's causing your issue.

Can you give more details? Which phone are you using?