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Cortana for Android Has Leaked & Here's How to Install It (Update: It's Now on the Play Store)

Jul 17, 2015 09:53 PM

Aug 24, 2015 07:17 PM

Smartphone displaying a virtual assistant interface with the text "What can I help you do now?"

Cortana, Microsoft's personal assistant for its Windows Phones and Windows 10, will soon be released for Android. That is, officially released. It's hard to keep a good thing locked away, and to that end, Cortana for Android has been leaked, thanks to APK Mirror.

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Entering a space already crowded by Apple's Siri, Google Now, and Soundhound's Hound, Cortana is impressive, even in it's a leaked unofficial build, and we'll show you how to get it up and running on your Android right now.

Update (August 24, 2015):

Cortana has now been officially released as a beta, and can be installed for free from the Google Play Store on most Android devices. However, at last check they had maxed out on beta testers, so you may have to resort to the leaked version below still.

Install the Leaked Cortana

Make sure you've enabled app installation from unknown sources, as the app isn't found on the Google Play Store just yet. Download the app directly from the link below, or from APK Mirror, then install it by tapping on the download finish alert in your notification tray and following the on-screen instructions.

Download Cortana for Android (.apk)

Cortana for Android Has Leaked & Here's How to Install It (Update: It's Now on the Play Store)

Cortana virtual assistant interface on a smartphone.

Set It Up

When you first open the app, you'll want to set up a few things, like providing your name or nickname and registering with your Microsoft account.

Cortana app introduction and setup guide for Windows 10.

Text input screen for naming a virtual assistant.

And if you haven't done so already, you should be running Windows 10, which for can do right now, for free, before its official launch.

Don't Miss: How to Install Windows 10 for Free Right Now

Note that Windows 10 isn't required, but will offer Android-to-PC syncing features, much like how Google Now syncs with Chrome.

Use Cortana

Now it's time to start asking stuff. Try asking about the weather in a few days, or when your home team has its next game, or how long it'll take you to get to that party you're going to tonight.

Map showing directions from one location to Culver City, with estimated travel time of 24 minutes.

Weather forecast for Sunday, 79°F with 30% chance of rain.

You can set reminders for tasks at a certain time or location and see them in a list through the Reminders section in the slide-out menu.

Reminder notification with options to check article at 3:11 PM today.

Reminder notification with options to postpone or set a reminder for grabbing a beer when arriving in Culver City.

Adjust Settings

Much like Google Now, Cortana provides "cards" for information that you might find useful, and allows you to adjust the information it shows. From the slide-out menu, select "Notebook" to access settings for individual topics, such as Music, News, and Weather, to name a few.

Upcoming Dodgers game schedule for July 17 at 4:05 PM.

Menu options from a notebook application.

Keep in mind that this is a pre-release beta version of Cortana, so expect fewer bugs and more features and polish in the official version, set to be released in the coming weeks.

Follow Android Hacks over on Facebook and Twitter, or Gadget Hacks over on Facebook, Google+, and Twitter, for more Android tips.

The next big software update for iPhone is coming sometime in April and will include a Food section in Apple News+, an easy-to-miss new Ambient Music app, Priority Notifications thanks to Apple Intelligence, and updates to apps like Mail, Photos, Podcasts, and Safari. See what else is coming to your iPhone with the iOS 18.4 update.