Reports consistently note this is purely a visual and UX redesign — no functionality or assistant capabilities have changed .
The Glow Overlay is rolling out through an update to the Google Gemini app on the Play Store. Key details include:
This Wear OS update arrives as part of a much larger transition. Google has confirmed it will begin removing Google Assistant from Android and Wear OS devices on September 4, 2026, with Gemini becoming the sole AI assistant across phones, tablets, Wear OS watches, headphones, and Android Auto . Users were notified by email that "Google Assistant on your mobile device is being discontinued"
. The change is final: once removed, users will not be able to switch back to Google Assistant.
Gemini's user base has grown rapidly as it replaces Assistant. According to Alphabet's Q2 2026 earnings report on July 22, 2026, Gemini reached 950 million monthly active users, up from 750 million in February 2026 and roughly 350 million in April 2025 . The 900 million milestone was disclosed at Google I/O in May 2026
.
While the Glow Overlay has been positively received — Digital Trends called it "worth the wait" — Gemini's broader transition has faced a bumpy start. Multiple reports note mixed early reception, including reported bugs in smart home controls and functionality gaps compared to the legacy Google Assistant. Some users have experienced issues with routine commands and device integrations
.
The Glow Overlay rollout modernizes Gemini's Wear OS presence just weeks before Assistant's official shutdown, giving the platform a consistent cross-device look at a critical moment when all Assistant holdouts must migrate to Gemini.