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How to Use Google Assistant on the iPhone and iPad

Lance Whitney
 & Lance Whitney Contributor

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Do you own an iPhone but hate Siri? Why not give the Google Assistant app a try? You can't access Google Assistant as easily as you can Siri, but Google's voice assistant can still come in handy.

You can ask Google Assistant to answer a range of questions and perform a variety of tasks. Tell it to make a phone call, send a text message, or kick off an email. Request it to set a reminder, a calendar appointment, and a shopping list. Ask for directions and get information on nearby restaurants and other spots, and more. Let's look at some of the many capabilities Google Assistant offers iPhone users.

This article originally appeared on PCMag.com.

How to Set Up Google Assistant on iOS

Download Google Assistant from the App Store. It supports iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, and requires iOS 9.1 or higher. Launch the app, and you're asked if you want to be notified of new Assistant features via email. After you respond, Google Assistant asks how it can be of help and prompts you to allow access to the microphone so you can chat with the app with a tap of the microphone icon. If you prefer to type your question or request, tap the keyboard icon instead.

You also have the option to tap on one of the suggestions, such as "What can you do?" That's probably the best place to start. In response, the Assistant tells you some of the many things you can ask it. You can then swipe through the lists of topics the Assistant can handle.

Make a Phone Call

Let's try calling someone. Tap the microphone and tell the Assistant to call one of your contacts. You're prompted to add access to your contacts. Tap OK. If your contact has more than one number, you will be asked to choose one. The Assistant then displays the phone number. Tap Call to dial the number.

Send a Text

You can also tell the Assistant to text someone in your contact list and dictate the text through the Assistant. When you're done, the app asks if you want to send the message or change it. The Assistant then calls up iMessage for you to send the text. In the mood for a video chat instead? Tell the app to place a FaceTime call to any contact with an iPhone or iPad.

Create an Email

To email someone, tap the microphone icon and say "Send an email to [name of contact]." Dictate your email. The app then asks if you want to send it or change. Say "Send it," and your message is on its way courtesy of Gmail.

Set a Reminder

Now, let's set a reminder. Say "Remind me to call my proctologist at 2pm." If you neglect to specify a time, the Assistant asks you to indicate the time. The app shows you the reminder and asks if you want to save it. Say "Yes." At the scheduled time, the reminder appears on your phone.

If this is the first time you are setting a reminder with Google Assistant, the app prompts you to turn on notifications in the iPhone's settings screen. You then return to the Assistant, where you'll have to repeat the reminder.

Set a Calendar Appointment

You can also set a calendar appointment to add an event to your Google Calendar. Say "Add an appointment with my proctologist for December 15 at 3pm." The app asks if you want to save it. Tell it yes, and the appointment is added to your calendar.

Create a Shopping List

Next, the Assistant can create a shopping list for you. Say "Set up a shopping list." The app asks what items you want to add to it. Dictate your items. After the app creates your list, you can tap on a button to view it. You can also add further items by saying: "Add [name of item] to my shopping list." You can then check the list when you're in the supermarket. You can also tap on a button to "Shop Your List," which takes you to a Google Express page where you may be able to order the items online if you're in a qualifying location.

Get Directions

Google is great at providing directions courtesy of its Maps app, and you can tap into that skill through the Assistant. Say "Show me directions to Boston, Massachusetts." The Assistant tells you the best way to reach your destination and how long it may take you to get there. It also displays a map of the travel route. You can then tap on the Start button to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze, or another installed maps app.

Find Food

Are you hungry? Ask Google Assistant to find a local restaurant by saying "Show me nearby restaurants." The app serves up the names of local spots to grab a bite. You can tap on any of the restaurants to get more information about it. You can also narrow your search. Say "Show me Mexican restaurants within 20 miles," and the app shows you the results. You can look for other nearby spots as well. Say "Show me gas stations within five miles" or "Show me the closest supermarkets," and the app lists the results.

Other Features and Skills

That's not bad so far, but there's a lot more Google Assistant can do. You can ask it to play music by a certain artist. The app asks which music app to use. Tell it, and the Assistant launches the app to play some tunes. Get the latest news, weather reports, sports scores, stock prices, and other regular updates. Play a game with Google Assistant. You can even ask the app to Google stuff for you.

Explore

To see more of the Assistant's abilities, tap on the icon in the upper-right corner. At the Explore section, you can browse some of the app's many skills. You can also tap on the link for "Your Stuff" to see all your reminders, appointments, shopping lists, and other items the app has created for you.

Talk to Alexa

If you prefer Amazon's voice assistant, here's how to talk to Alexa on iOS and Android.

About Our Expert

Lance Whitney

Lance Whitney

Contributor

My Experience

I've been working for PCMag since early 2016 writing tutorials, how-to pieces, and other articles on consumer technology. Beyond PCMag, I've written news stories and tutorials for a variety of other websites and publications, including CNET, ZDNet, TechRepublic, Macworld, PC World, Time, US News & World Report, and AARP Magazine. I spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET as one of the site’s East Coast reporters. I've also written two books for Wiley & Sons—Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time and Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.

My Areas of Expertise

I've used Windows, Office, and other Microsoft products for years so I'm well versed in that world. I also know the Mac quite well. I'm always working with iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and Android on my various mobile devices. And these days, I write a lot about AI, so that's become another key area for me.

The Tech I Use

My wife always jokes about all the tech products we have around the house, but I manage to put them to good use for my articles. I like Lenovo computers, so I own a couple of Lenovo desktops and several laptops. I have three MacBooks and a Mac mini. For my mobile life and work, I use an iPhone 16 Pro, iPad Pro, and iPad mini as well as an Apple Watch. But since I write about Android, I own several Android phones and tablets. Like any tech person, I have a cabinet full of cables, wires, and assorted mysterious gadgets. And when it's time to take a break from writing, I have an old Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii, both of which I use for exercise and fitness games.

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