Here's how you can get the Pixel-exclusive Google Assistant on Android Marshmallow and Nougat devices

Google Assistant, the most recent digital assistant by Google debuted with the launch of Google Allo . The digital personal assistant is Google’s answer to Microsoft’s Cortana and Apple’s Siri. Soon after debut, it was clarified that it will not be coming on anything lower than the upcoming Android Nougat 7.1. We tested Google Assistant extensively on Google Allo, but it was ultimately a very limiting experience. The only thing that Google Allo really offered was the lack of privacy and Google Assistant. We were waiting for the launch of Android Nougat 7.1 to test drive the full power of Google Assistant but some brave and amazing developers at XDA cracked the challenge in just two days. Two days since the system dump for Google Pixel devices was available. Initially, users running Android Nougat 7 could enable Google Assistant by tweaking the build.prop file, but hours later Xposed module ‘Android N-ify’ beta enabled the feature, bringing it to all the Android Marshmallow devices. Warning: You must bear in mind that there may be a possibility that this may break or brick your device. We at Tech2 will not be responsible for any harm caused to your device. If you do not understand what you are doing, it is best that you don’t do it. This is an unofficial workaround and Google Assistant is not officially available for Android Nougat 7 and Android Marshmallow users. Have a complete backup of your device before attempting anything further. Checklist before going on this adventure to exclusivity: 0. Android device (duh) 1. Unlocked bootloader 2. Custom Recovery 3. Root Access 4. Working Xposed Framework 5. Root File Explorer 6. Flashable Files You need to have a rooted Android device regardless of Android Marshmallow or Nougat. To root the device you need to install a custom recovery for your device either TWRP or ClockworkMod (We love TWRP because of the ease of use.) Rooting the Android device required you to unlock the bootloader using Adb or Fastboot device. Unlocking the bootloader wipes all the data on your smartphone. Google for instructions on how to unlock bootloader and install custom recovery to install root (our preference: SuperSU). Android Marshmallow users should install Xposed framework. Be warned that there are two variants for Xposed framework. The official variant developed by Xposed maker rovo89, and the ‘Systemless’ Xposed version by user romracer. Once you are set with a rooted device, install any Root file explorer app like ‘ Solid Explorer,’ ‘ FX File explorer,’ ‘ X-Plore File Manager,’ ‘ Root Browser,’ or ‘ ES File Explorer’ and you are all good to go. [caption id=“attachment_340669” align=“aligncenter” width=“640”]  Google Assistant on Android Nougat 7.0 based CM14[/caption] Android Nougat 7 Nougat users should have the latest Google app installed ( version 6.6.14.21 at the time of writing) along with rooted file explorer as mentioned above. There are two methods: Method 1: Manual editing 1. Open build.prop after browsing to the Root directory of the device (build.prop is located in the System folder.) 2. Add or replace two lines in the build.prop as

ro.product.model=Pixel XL ro.opa.eligible_device=true

In some cases when you save the file and open it again, the system adds an instruction to modify the ‘ro.product.model’ to some other class like ‘ro.product.device=Pixel XL’ in the case of OnePlus 3. You can check out the XDA forum post for troubleshooting if you face any errors. [caption id=“attachment_340668” align=“aligncenter” width=“640”]  Google Assistant works great with Google Pixel launcher[/caption] Method 2: Flashing ZIPs 1. Download the first two zip files ‘GoogleAssistantBuildProp.zip’ and ‘GoogleAssistantVelvet.zip’ from Android Filehost. 2. Copy all the files to your Android device. 3. Reboot to recovery (Google as it depends from device to device.) 4. Install (Flash) ‘GoogleAssistantVelvet.zip’ followed by ‘GoogleAssistantBuildProp.zip’. 5. Reboot the system and invoke Google Assistant by long pressing on the home button. Android Marshmallow [caption id=“attachment_340667” align=“aligncenter” width=“640”]  Google Assistant on Android Marshmallow 6.0.1[/caption] 1. Make sure that Xposed is installed and active in the Xposed app. 2. Go to Jenkins website to download the latest APK built from source. 3. Install “Android N-ify” module (Uninstall the older version if you are already using “Android N-ify”. 4. Reboot your device to activate the Xposed module. 5. Invoke the Google assistant by long pressing on the home button.