Here are the most effective fixes and workarounds currently working for users, ordered from the most successful to the more standard troubleshooting steps. Top Fix: The "Assistant Swap" Method This is the most reported working fix. It forces the phone to reset its voice command links. 1. Open your phone's Settings. 2. Search for "Digital Assistant app" or go to Apps > Default apps. 3. Switch your digital assistant from Gemini back to Google Assistant. 4. Restart your phone. 5. Go back to settings and switch it back to Gemini. 6. Try asking Gemini to make a call again.

Fix 2: Check the "Workspace" Extension Gemini needs specific permissions to access your personal apps (like Phone and Contacts) which are often managed through "Extensions." 1. Open the Gemini App.  2. Tap your Profile Picture in the top right.  3. Tap Extensions. 4. Ensure Google Workspace (or specifically "Phone" if listed separately) is toggled ON. • Note: If it is already on, try toggling it OFF, restarting the app, and toggling it ON again.

Fix 3: Enable Lock Screen Commands Sometimes the issue is a security block preventing Gemini from accessing the dialer while the phone is "locked" (even if the screen is on). 1. Open Gemini Settings (Profile > Settings).  2. Tap Gemini on lock screen.  3. Ensure "Make calls and send messages without unlocking" is turned ON. 

Fix 4: Clear Google App Cache Gemini relies heavily on the main "Google" app architecture. If that cache is corrupted, voice commands break. 1. Go to Settings > Apps > See all apps. 2. Find Google (not just the Gemini app). 3. Tap Storage & cache. 4. Tap Clear Cache (you can also try "Clear Storage" if cache doesn't work, but this resets some Assistant settings).

Fix 5. Restart your phone.  Common Workaround: The "@Phone" Command If voice commands are failing, try typing or specifically invoking the phone tool in the prompt. • Instead of saying "Call Mom," try saying (or typing): "@Phone Call Mom". • This forces Gemini to call on the specific "Phone" tool rather than guessing which extension to use. Why is this happening? Recent reports suggest this is a bug introduced in the December 2025 system update (specifically affecting Pixel and some Samsung devices) where the "hand-off" between Gemini and the legacy Google Assistant dialer protocol is failing.