Google has officially announced the rollout of Contextual suggestions on Android, a new AI-powered feature designed to learn from user habits and offer timely recommendations directly on the device. The feature was introduced with the Pixel 10 series running Android 16.
How Contextual Suggestions Works
The Contextual suggestions feature uses artificial intelligence to analyze device activity and location data to predict what might be useful at a given time. For instance, the system can suggest playlists when you are at the gym or prompt you to cast sports games to your TV at the usual time. These recommendations are designed to make everyday smartphone use more intuitive and personalized.
Availability
The feature is rolling out on Pixel 10 and Pixel 10a devices with Android 16 and Google Play services version 26.18. It is not yet available on older Pixel models or Android 17 Beta releases.
Privacy and Security
Google emphasizes that contextual suggestions operate entirely within a secure, encrypted space on the device. Data is never shared with apps or Google unless the user explicitly grants permission. Apps can act on predictions to offer suggestions but cannot access the underlying data.
User Control
Users retain full control with options to disable location tracking for suggestions, delete stored data at any time, and manage preferences under Settings > [Your name] > All services > Other > Contextual suggestions.
Managing Contextual Suggestions
Before you use contextual suggestions for the first time, you will find a notice about the feature that provides a link to your settings. If you cast audio or video from your device, you must have Android 14 or up. You can find the notice when you start an active media session while connected to Wi-Fi and cast to a device.
To manage the feature, follow these steps:
- On your Android device, open the Settings app.
- Tap Apps > All apps > Google Play services.
- Tap All services > Developer features > Contextual Suggestions.
- Turn Use contextual suggestions on or off.
Under "Data used for your suggestions:"
- To use contextual suggestions without location data, turn off Use device location. When you turn off "Use device location," contextual suggestions remain on, but your location data will not be used to give recommendations.
- When "Use device location" is on, location data can only be used if your device location is on.
To manually delete all stored data:
- Tap Manage your data.
- Next to "Delete all stored data," tap Delete.
- To confirm deletion, in the pop-up box, tap Delete.
Tip: The data used for contextual suggestions is automatically deleted after 60 days. You can also delete it at any time before that.
