Google is testing a new “Device help” tool within the Gemini app on the Pixel 11 Pro, offering users more personalised, conversational assistance for managing their smartphone. The experimental feature is designed to help with everything from adjusting settings to troubleshooting connectivity and battery problems.
Gemini ‘Device Help’ Appears on Pixel 11 Pro
The new Device help option has been spotted within the Gemini app on Pixel 11 Pro handsets. It can be accessed through the app’s “plus” menu or via the Gemini overlay, where it appears towards the bottom of the available tools, just above Personal Intelligence.
The feature carries a “Labs” badge, indicating that it remains experimental and may not yet be ready for a wider rollout.
Its description invites users to “Get help with your device”, while the icon used for the tool matches the one associated with Proactive Assistance.
Conversational Support for Phone Settings
Rather than requiring users to navigate through several Android settings menus, the Device Help Agent is intended to provide assistance through Gemini’s conversational interface.
The tool can adjust and customise common settings, including Dark theme, screen brightness and screen timeout. It can also provide access to sound and vibration controls, Do Not Disturb options and Digital Wellbeing features.
This could make everyday device management more accessible, particularly for users who know what they want to change but are unsure where a particular setting is located.
Gemini Can Help Troubleshoot Pixel Problems
Troubleshooting is another major part of the new feature. Device help can assist with problems involving Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mobile data, battery drain, audio and app performance.
It can also provide information about battery and storage use. Users can check which services are consuming power, configure Battery Saver, examine their phone’s storage breakdown and identify possible ways to free up space.
App Permissions and Privacy Controls Included
The tool extends to app management and privacy settings. Gemini can help users review permissions for sensitive functions such as location, camera and microphone access.
It can also assist with app notifications and timers, potentially giving Pixel owners a simpler way to manage privacy and Digital Wellbeing controls without manually searching through Android’s settings.
For UK smartphone users increasingly conscious of how apps access personal information, having these controls available through a conversational assistant could make permission management easier to understand.
Pixel Features Explained Step by Step
Device help is not limited to changing settings or fixing technical problems. It can also act as an interactive guide to Pixel features.
Users can request step-by-step assistance with gestures, camera functions, privacy options and other capabilities built into their handset. This approach could be particularly useful as smartphones gain more features that may otherwise remain undiscovered within menus and settings pages.
The underlying technology, however, does not appear to be entirely new. The feature seems to rely on the existing “Device Assistance” connected app, which was previously known as “Utilities”.
Availability Currently Appears Limited
For now, the Device help tool appears to have a very restricted test rollout.
As of 24 August, it had been observed on Pixel 11 Pro devices running Google app beta version 17.52. The feature was not available on the standard Pixel 11 or on older Pixel models that were checked.
The limited availability suggests Google is testing the experience with a small group of users before deciding whether to expand it across more of the Pixel range.
There is currently no confirmed timetable for a broader release, and its Labs status means the functionality could change significantly as testing continues.
Gemini Moves Deeper Into Android Device Management
The Device help experiment reflects Google’s wider effort to make Gemini more closely integrated with everyday smartphone functions. Instead of operating primarily as an AI assistant for answering questions and generating information, Gemini is increasingly being positioned as a tool capable of interacting directly with device features.
If expanded beyond the Pixel 11 Pro, Device help could provide Android users with a more straightforward way to manage settings, diagnose common problems and understand unfamiliar features through natural conversation.
For now, however, the feature remains an experimental Pixel 11 Pro addition, with wider availability yet to be confirmed.
Thomas Hardy is a contributor to OE Mag, covering news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. He focuses on clear, accurate reporting and useful information that helps readers stay informed about current affairs and developments that matter to them. His work highlights relevant stories, emerging trends, and key issues, presenting them in a balanced, accessible, and reader-friendly way.