If you have an iPhone, you no doubt know you have Siri right there as your default assistant, ready to help with tasks both great and small. That said, Apple’s default assistant puts more focus on the Apple ecosystem itself and helping you achieve tasks therein.
If you’re looking for an assistant with equally great integration and access to information, Google Assistant is a compelling option. Not only can you connect to devices outside Apple’s ecosystem, but you can integrate with software and platforms, like Microsoft.
This article will be your guide in installing Google Assistant on iPhone.
First, some good news. If you still like Siri and all the good work it does, you won’t have to part with it to add Google Assistant to your iPhone. In fact, you can have both. With that comes a whole range of functions, such as:
Google Suite integration, including Google Nest
Phone finding services
Any queries that you’d search in Google
Integration with Microsoft
Installing Google Assistant
Siri comes enabled by default, but Google Assistant will first need to be downloaded from the App Store before setup. Here’s how:
Step 1. Open the App Store and search for “Google Assistant.”
Step 2. Tap the “Get” button and confirm with your Apple ID (or use Face ID).
Step 3. The app will then install on your phone. Find it in one of your menus.
Connecting Google Assistant
To get the most out of iPhone with Google Assistant, it’s recommended that you link it with your Google account or create one if you don’t already have one. Once your app is downloaded, you can begin the initial setup. Here’s what to do:
1. Open Google Assistant. If you’ve logged into another Google app on your iPhone earlier, your profile should be available for selection from a pop-up window. Click the “Continue As …” button.
2. Assistant will ask for certain permissions, like the use of the microphone and sending notifications. You can choose to allow or not, but certain permissions make using the assistant much easier, especially the microphone.
Enabling Google Assistant Alongside Siri
Apple users know that Siri is activated with a quick “Hey Siri.” To get the same functionality out of your Google Assistant, you’ll need to set up a shortcut first.
Step 1. Open the Shortcut app on your iPhone.
Step 2. Tap the Plus icon at the top right of the screen to add a new shortcut.
Step 3. Type “Assistant” into the Search Bar to bring up the app and tap it.
Step 4. Tap the “Hey Google” option.
Step 5. In the “Hey Google” window, tap the “Hey Google” option again and ensure “Show When Run” is on.
Step 6. Tap “Done,” and the shortcut will save.
Now you can use Google Assistant like Siri. To do so, however, you’ll have to start with “Hey Siri” first, then proceed to “Hey Google” right after to engage the assistant by voice.
Integrating Assistant with Microsoft
Google Assistant can be calibrated to use certain apps for some of its tasks. Microsoft is no exception. Google can integrate with To Do, Teams, Outlook, and OneDrive.
We’ll use To Do as our example. If you assign this app as the default note taker, Assistant will integrate it seamlessly into your workflow. Here’s how to do it on iPhone:
Step 1. Open Assistant and tap your profile icon in the top right of the screen.
Step 2. Navigate down to the task that the Microsoft App will perform. In To Do’s case, that’s “Notes & Lists.” Tap this.
Step 3. You’ll see a list of possible apps. Choose Microsoft To Do.
Step 4. From this point, any notes you take via Google Assistant will save to “To Do.”
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