[Q] "ok google" voice activation doesn't work (nor does OpenMic+!)

[AnttiV]

Hi xda! (been awhile since I last was here...)

I seem to have a problem with my Ultra (C6833), Android version 4.4.4 (official), not rooted, just plain stock Nordic rom via OTA. But using Google Now Launcher.

I can't seem to make "ok google" work with voice only. The settings -> input -> voice search -> "ok Google" detection -> From any screen -page doesn't register my voice *at all*, nothing happens on that screen. Also on any launcher screen or Google Now, saying "ok google" doesn't have any effects what so ever. When I manually click on the mic icon on any of these pages, Google now works perfectly and most of the time I don't have any trouble it understanding me (not native English speaker).

I tried installing OpenMic+ and tried that, but almost the same happens with that. It works when the actual OpenMic+ program is open, but NOT when it is in the background.

The same settings DO work on my Note 8.0 just fine, and the mic works on the Xperia when making calls (or after clicking the mic icon, voice search works fine). So what gives?

 

[techdeisel]

if you still need help with this first make sure your play services google (search or now whichever u decide to call it)play store an gmail are up-to-date last two may not be necessary not i an others have had issues when not once thats done clear cache an data in apps section under settings for Google an play services

 

[AnttiV]

Oh, thanks and yeah, haven't gotten it to work. I forgot to clear the caches, silly me. I did check that everything is up to date. I'll try clearing caches.

 

[techdeisel]

Ok everything is up to date and clearing the cache still doesn't do it this should be magic goto Google now go to settings go go to voice go to offline speech recognition set auto update to always over data or WiFi go and download UK English language for offline once it's done go back to the installed tab press and hold English UK the selected close Google now open it back go back in that same section and press and hold English us language to select it now try your okay Google

 

[blueether]

Ok everything is up to date and clearing the cache still doesn't do it this should be magic goto Google now go to settings go go to voice go to offline speech recognition set auto update to always over data or WiFi go and download UK English language for offline once it's done go back to the installed tab press and hold English UK the selected close Google now open it back go back in that same section and press and hold English us language to select it now try your okay Google

I think what that says is use english US the language for OK Google

 

[techdeisel]

hmmm?

---------- Post added at 08:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:46 PM ----------

yes i know but the switch to uk an then switching back is what works

 

[dark_skeleton]

EDIT: SOLUTION FOUND! SEE BELOW

I'm having the exact same problem with my Xperia Z2.

Any further advice would be amazing. I'm running Android 4.4.4 and read that some apps can interfere with 'ok google', but I can't track down this problem.

Changing languages doesn't seem to help (I tried Australian in the past). Can someone confirm the above worked? I'm running on limited data plan here and would like to avoid recklessly using it up ;(

EDIT: After browsing for a few hours a few days ago looking for a solution, just after writing this post, THAT article showed up. And 'ok google' works now!
http://ausdroid.net/2014/05/08/fix-google-now-voice-commands/

It was LastPass accessibility service running in background! After turning it off, 'ok google' works now

 

[AnttiV]

For the record, to this day I haven't been able to make it work on my Xperia. It works perfectly on my Galaxy Note 8.0 and my HTC One M7, but for the life of me, I have not been able to get it to work on this Sony device. It keeps working the same as always - works perfectly with manual activation, but I cannot get the "Ok Google Detection" to do ANYTHING. (the page where it asks you to say "ok google" three times to "learn" your voice). It just does nothing, it does not register my voice at all on that page.

 

[PshAl]

So glad found this post!

dark_skeleton, you are my HERO!

I couldn't find a solution for this problem for around 4 month!
I was already thinking that there is a hardware problem in my phone,
and just for the chance of succession checked Google again, and SO GLAD I DID!
I used 'OK Google' detection on a daily basis!

In my case, the problem was the application "Informer for SmartWatch".
It was using an accessibility service and blocked the voice recognition.

AnttiV, try going to the accessibility menu and check what services there are external (not pre-installed by Sony).
Seems like it really helps!

Thanks again dark_sekeleton!!

 

[stemer]

Another app, which is making problems with "Ok Google" is Smart Extension - Hangouts.

 

[AnttiV]

Another app, which is making problems with "Ok Google" is Smart Extension - Hangouts.

Yeah, it was that for me. I've been testing a week or so now without it and everything seems to be working fine. Sadly there's now no way to have hangouts on my SW2, which sucks. But the extension doesn't work with Lollipop anyway, so...

Time to upgrade to Android Wear / Apple Watch?