Apple is deeply incentivized to develop and promote its slate of apps. iPhone and iPad users who’ve had extensive experience using Siri can probably attest to how the service has increased their productivity. However, given the fact that Google Assistant is powered by the all-encompassing Google search — which, arguably, is the most widely used platform for looking things up online to date — the option to use it can also be beneficial.
Technically, you can use Google Assistant on an iPhone or iPad. It’s just riddled with handicaps that may make it a challenge to access in certain situations. For instance, you definitely won’t be able to use Google Assistant while your Apple device is in your pocket or bag. You’d have to unlock your iPhone or iPad lockscreen and launch the Google Assistant app — either manually or through Siri — before you can start talking to it.
Another drawback is the unavailability of various Google Assistant preferences that otherwise would make it a more well-oiled machine on an Android device. Some of these features include “Continued Conversation” and “Quick Phrases,” which allow users to ask follow-up questions without needing to say “Hey Google” every time. If you’re hoping to use Google Assistant on your iPhone or iPad through voice control, you’d have to keep using the phrase each time you issue a question.
Finally, Google Assistant doesn’t recognize built-in Apple apps, so you can’t ask it to launch your photos, iMessage, or FaceTime.
