Apple's Siri is well-versed in the spells of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but it's not like Android users are Muggles. Google Assistant, Android's virtual concierge, can cast a few spells out of the box, and it can learn the spells it doesn't know quicker than a year of studying at Hogwarts.

If you want to wield your Android smartphone like a magic wand by using Google Assistant, see what it can do below and how you can program it to perform even more spells. If you already know how to set up and conjure Google Assistant on your Android device, feel free to skip those sections.

Many Android devices have the Google app preinstalled, which houses Google Assistant. All Google Pixel models do, as well as most newer Android phones. If your phone meets the requirements listed below for Google Assistant, it probably already has Google Assistant waiting for you.

Most Samsung Galaxy models already have Google Assistant, as well as many from LG, Motorola, Nokia, OnePlus, Oppo, Tecno, Vivo, and Xiaomi. Android (Go edition) devices should use Google Assistant Go. If your device doesn't have the Google app installed but meets the requirements listed above to run Google Assistant, you can download the Google app from Google Play:

While not required, you could also install the Google Assistant or Google Assistant Go app, which gives you faster access from your home screen or app drawer to Google Assistant's settings.

Once you know you have Google Assistant on your phone, it's relatively simple to initiate, but how you do it varies depending on your settings, device model, Android version, etc. Try one or some of the possibilities below, but know that not all will work for your specific device. If the Google Assistant is turned off, it may ask you to turn it on when using some of the options below.

The wizards among the Google Assistant development team have already taught the virtual concierge several spells.

Lumos, the wand-lighting charm, illuminates the end of the wizard's wand. As a Google Assistant command, it turns on the flashlight function, illuminating the flash of your device's rear-facing camera. (Note that Samsung Bixby can actually use this command too.)

The counter-spell for Lumos, Nox, extinguishes the end of the wizard's wand. Similarly, this command for Google Assistant will turn off your flashlight. (Oddly, Samsung Bixby doesn't seem to support this and confuses it frequently with Samsung Knox.)

The silencing charm, Silencio, turns the media volume to 0% while summoning the volume slider for additional adjustments.

Several other charms, spells, and phrases elicit a cheeky response from Google Assistant. This would almost certainly irritate Professor Snape during class.

Most phrases have more than one response, so keep playing to hear what the Assistant has to say. Once you've uttered one of these spells, Google Assistant will suggest other phrases, and you can tap them without speaking. It understands the following references.

For the spells Google Assistant does not know, you can teach them to it via its "if this, then that" programming kit called Routines. It's very similar to teaching Siri on iPhone to say unfamiliar Harry Potter spells via Shortcuts.

The easiest way to get started is to say, "OK Google, Routines," and tap the "Routines settings" button. You can also get there by long-pressing the Assistant app icon, tapping "Settings," then "Routines."

On the Routines settings page, tap the "+ New" button, and then hit the pencil icon on the New Routine page to rename it; the spell/charm name will likely be best here.

Each routine needs a starter trigger and a resulting action. Tap "Add starter" to specify the trigger; in keeping with the theme, all of these routines will use voice commands, so tap the first option for "When I say to Google Assistant." On the next page, type in the spell or charm. You can use more than one starter phrase if you'd like. Once you're done, tap "Save" to proceed.

Once the starter is set, you'll identify an action. There are several categories of actions to choose from, and each category has various stock options. If what you're looking for isn't listed among these categories, you can select the "Try adding your own" category, which allows you to type in a command. You can specify multiple actions for one starter. Once you're done, tap "Save" to commit the spell to memory.

With Routines, you're limited only by your imagination. Here are some ideas to get you started (hat tip to Oprah Daily, of all places, for the list of spells).

Since Accio is the summoning charm, we can use it to open practically any app. Set the starter to Accio plus the app name or a code name of your choosing (i.e., Accio Pikachu to open Pokémon Go or Accio Hogwarts to open Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery). Then, set the action to the customized option with the phrase "open" plus the actual name of the app you want to open.

Avis conjures a small flock of birds. Maybe we can use this one to launch Angry Birds? Use the same formula as the Accio routine.

The aparecium spell reveals secret written messages. This sounds a lot like unread text messages, so let's use the spell to play catch up. Select the "Communicate and Announce" category for the action, then "Read unread texts." (See screenshot below.)

Your Android phone can't trigger explosions, but your Google Assistant can play "Bombtrack" by Rage Against the Machine or other incendiary tracks. Set Bombardo as the starter trigger. For the action, select the "Play and Control Media" category, then "Music," then the name and artist of your fire track. (See screenshot below.)

The muffling charm prevents others from hearing your conversation. We're going to use this to silence notifications. Select "Adjust Phone Settings" and "Turn on do not disturb on Android devices."

Here's a smart home spell. Since protego conjures an invisible shield around the user, those with a security system can use this spell to arm it. Select "Adjust Home Devices" and "Arm security system." You can add the "Lock doors" action from the same category if you have smart locks. (See screenshot below.)

Because the stupefy spell renders the target unconscious, we can add it as a starter to the existing Bedtime routine, which turns off lights, plays sleep sounds, and turns the ringer volume to zero.

Since Routines for Android is a lot like Shortcuts on iOS, many of the same custom Harry Potter spells for Siri can be converted into custom Harry Potter spells for Google Assistant. So make sure to check out our complete guide on Harry Potter spells for iPhone to get some more ideas.

More Info: 16 Harry Potter Spells for Siri That Turn Your iPhone into a Magical Elder Wand

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