Voice commands no longer work when using navigation

[outdoorDan]

As of a few weeks ago, my S23 ultra Ui7 no longer allows voice commands with Google maps navigation.

I am often driving at daybreak, when I start the drive, i have display brightness turned down (adaptive display is too bright). Using Google assistant or gemini (prefer GA), I can no longer use voice command "increase brightness". Prior to few weeks ago, this worked - i had been using it for years. 

The kicker is this same command works if Google maps is actively not navigating, even if Google maps is open but not navigating. 

I must cancel navigation to change screen display brightness. 

I chatted with support from my carrier, the rep experienced the same - voice doesn't work using navigation. 

Samsung support had me clear cache and try with adaptive display enabled. Neither of these restored the previously working voice commands. Their other suggestion was to factory reset. 

I noticed this stopped working after some updates , but I don't recall exactly when or what update it was. It may have been monthly security update. My apps update frequently and automatically.

Is there some core android or app setting that was lost during an update that i can restore to get voice commands working with navigation running?

[Robin621k]

Have you tried using Bixby for these kind of commands?

Bixby is great for device control!

[outdoorDan]

I haven't, I've never used bixby.

[outdoorDan]

I just enabled bixby- I can use it to change display brightness with navigation running. Silly imho that long running functionality has been disabled, especially considering hands free laws.

[Robin621k]

Gemini is losing device control. You have to use Bixby to control your phone.

Problem solved?

If you found my help to be useful, tap the 3 dots next to the solution and mark as resolved.

Ps, when replying to a comment, hit the reply button so the person who replied to your question gets a notification for follow-ups .

[outdoorDan]

Makes me wonder if this functionality works on non Samsung devices. I have not used gemini either. When it was enabled and pushed as a part of an update and broke voice navigation (didn't know saved locations such as work,
And home), i changed back to Google assistant. I think i had gemini enabled for maybe 48 hours. I only enabled it as a test to see if it worked or not.

[outdoorDan]

I wouldn't say problem solved, i would say i have 2 work-arounds, neither perfect (dependent on non samsung devices), but one is definitely better then the other!

Now I must use 2 apps/assistants where one previously worked.

I previously had bixby disabled.

[Robin621k]

Google is going in a different way. They are leaving device control up to the device manufacturers.

[outdoorDan]

That's news to me. Also interesting that has been partially implemented - it works without navigation running, doesn't work with navigation running.

[realaud]

You can set a routine to dim the screen brightness when Google maps opens or when it opens between certain hours.  If you start your drive, for instance, pre-dawn, and by the time you are halfway to your destination, the sun is fully up, your routine can start at 6 a.m. and end at 7:30 a.m. to return the screen to normal brightness.  Or you can just have it lower the brightness to whatever percent you set whenever Google Maps is open.  When you close Maps, the screen brightness returns to whatever level you had it set at.  No need to talk to your device at all.