This has happened to me once when I couldn’t use the “OK Google” automatic detection feature because the “Access with Voice Match” option was greyed out and it could not be turned on in settings of Google app.
If you are also facing the same issue then you landed on the right post because I fixed the problem and here is how
First of all, Start with the easiest and common fix and then move to advance fixes. Because you dont want to root your device when the solution was app has not the access to the Microphone. So check access in settings, Download the languages offline, and once you are sure that everything is in right place then you can move to advance fixes which are provided below in the post.
Table of Contents
How to Fix “OK Google”/Access with Voice match option Greyed out
What is the Reason behind the Problem?
When I encountered the problem, I crawled over many forums and after some time, I founded the Reason
Google app should be a System app so Access with Voice match can work
If you are facing the problem you must be on a custom ROM with Pico Gapps installed. If yes, the Pico GApps package doesn’t include Google app so it will not be installed as a System app.
If your smartphone is old and came with the Older Android versions then the chances are that Google app didn’t came as System app by default.
How to fix the “Access with Voice Match” option greyed out
Make the Google app a System app and that’s it, Problem Solved.
There are many methods to make a user app a system app but I am going to show you the best one
Fix 1: Make Google a system app by using Magisk Module (App systemizer)
You need a rooted device with the Magisk manager installed. If you are on a custom ROM then you may be already rooted but if you are using an older phone then you need to root your device. A simple Google search will show you a lot of guides, just type “How to root <Your Device name>”
You need:
Rooted Device and Magisk Manager Installed
Android Terminal app
Step 1: Install the App systemizer Module and Reboot the device
Step 2: Install the Android Terminal
Step 3: Open the Android Terminal and type this
su
- Grant the root permission to Terminal app and type
systemize
- This will open the App systemizer interface and now simply select an option by typing the corresponding number to available options
- Select “1” to list Installed apps
- Select the Google app by entering the corresponding number to Google app
- In the next step, choose “2” to move to system/priv-app
- Wait for the process and Reboot the Device
Fix 2: Flash the Gapps which include Google app (Micro Package or Above)
GApps or Google Apps are optional in some Custom ROMs, like LineageOS and Ressurection Remix. So, when you flash the GApps package, either flashes the Micro package or flash Full package or Stock package because all of these 3 three include the Google App which will be installed as a System app.
Usually, Devs recommend the Pico GApps package because this is the lightest one so bugs can be minimized. But you can try Micro package because it is the lightest one that comes with Google app.
However, if you are still want to flash the Picco Package then I recommend the Fix 1 given above.
Convert User app to system app via ADB.
I always recommend the Magisk module method but if for some reason, you cant use Magisk then Use this method. You can find the full detailed guide at AndroidAuthority
Another way is to copy the apk folder to /system/priv-app. You need a rooted device and ES file explorer. Read the full guide at Droidviews.
THANK YOU! I searched around and found a bunch of useless tutorials for fixing it that didn’t work, but this finally did it.
Thanks a lot. Worked like a charm!
Rooted S7 Lineage OS 9.0 | July Security Patch
Hello, i searched around too, and from Google Support i got only useless suggestions, like clear cache or data of the application, or set home and work address in the account data…
I think that for devices where the Google App is not the only working solution is yours.
But i have three things to tell:
1) “Google app should be a System app so Access with Voice match can work” : this is not true: me and many other android users , in some devices, have Google app installed under Data, and Voice match is not greyed out, and does work.
But in other devices, it is greyed out, when not installed as system app.
I think this depends on the application privileges settings of the Rom installed on the device. To overcome this limit, is possible to move the app to a system app.
2) The second thing, is that in my case, moving the app to /system/app was not enough.
I had to move the app to /system/priv-app , because in this folder the app gain privileges.
3) It is mandatory to move the app with its folder, else if you move only the apk, you will get Google crash.
Thank you!
Thank you for the Response Iodovico,
You are right, the app should be moved to the system/priv-app. I have updated the Article.
I did it via twrp recovery on an unrelated phone and it worked perfectly. Thanks