If you use the Google Assistant on devices like a Nest Mini, Nest Hub or Nest Audio and
you want to start using the Google Assistant on an iPhone you've come to the right place
because in this video I'm going to walk you through the best ways to use the Google Assistant
on an iPhone running iOS 14.
Now the first step in using the Google Assistant on an iPhone is to download the Google Assistant
app from the Apple App Store.
Just open up the App Store and search for the Google Assistant and the top result should
be the Google Assistant app.
Go ahead and download that and then follow the Screen instructions to set up the app
and link it to your Google account.
Once you've got the Google Assistant app downloaded on your phone, you can do things you'd ask
a Google Assistant speaker for and a few additional things you can't do on a speaker like call
or text somebody.
With the Google Assistant app, there are three main ways to trigger the assistant.
You can tap the mic button at the bottom of the screen.
You can save the trigger word to it on your phone with the app open or you can use the
keyboard to type your request to the Google Assistant.
Now, you may want to be able to trigger the Google Assistant when your phone screen is
off.
Unfortunately, by default with iPhones the only assistant that Apple will let you summon
is Siri.
Luckily, there are two workarounds for iPhones running iOS 14 and both work arounds involved
Siri Shortcuts.
Now, you can't technically just ask Siri to open the Google Assistant and it will work,
however the Siri Shortcuts save you from saying an additional phrase plus they unlock an additional
way to use the Google Assistant on an iPhone which is why I use them.
First make sure you've downloaded the shortcuts app on your iPhone.
If you don't have the shortcuts app already, you can download it from the Apple App Store.
Just search for shortcuts and the app should look like this.
Once you have the shortcuts app downloaded go back to the Google Assistant app.
With the Google Assistant app open select the Today View icon in the bottom left-hand
corner.
You should see a pop-up there that will ask you to add the Google Assistant to Siri.
Go ahead and click Add to Siri.
Next, you can change the trigger phrase you want to use with Siri from the default.
So for example, I'll use "Get Google" so I don't trigger your Google Assistant devices
at home.
Next click "Add to Siri."
So let's try it, I'll hold down the power button to summon Siri or you can use your
voice and then say "Get Google."
Siri will then ask you what you'd like to ask Google and then you say whatever you would
normally say to the Google Assistant and Siri shortcuts will immediately open the Google
Assistant app with that question and then the Google Assistant will respond which is
great for situations like when you're driving.
However, do keep in mind you will have to have your phone unlocked for it to be able
to open the Google Assistant and unfortunately, I haven't found a way around this like you
have on Android with smart lock.
Now if you don't see the pop-up screen don't worry there's another way to do this through
the shortcuts app.
Open the shortcuts app and click on the plus sign at the top right corner when you're in
the my shortcuts view.
Click add action apps then select Assistant and then select the trigger word for the assistant
you want to use, deselect show when run click next and then name your shortcut and this
will be the phrase that you tell Siri to get it to open the Google Assistant app and then
after that you're done and now we can test out our shortcut.
Here's an example of the shortcut in action.
"Hey Siri, get Google.
Show me my reminders."
Now there's another way to summon the Google Assistant without having to use Siri or opening
the Google Assistant app manually and that's by using the new back tap feature.
With this allows you to do is double tap the back of your iPhone to open the Google Assistant
app, even if your phone has a case on it, like my iPhone 12 with its Apple clear case.
To enable this go to settings, accessibility, touch, then scroll down to back tap, and select
it.
Then select either double tap or triple tap depending on which one you want to use and
then scroll down to shortcuts and select the "Get Google" shortcut we created earlier.
Now exit settings and try it for yourself.
Just double tap the back of your iPhone and watch the Google Assistant app open from wherever
you are on your iPhone.
Pretty cool.
Well, that's it for my overview of the best ways to use the Google Assistant on an iPhone.
I hope you found this video helpful and useful and if you did and liked it, make sure you
hit that thumbs up button below and subscribe to the channel for more how-to videos on Apple,
Google, and other tech products.
Well, that'll do it for me.
For 6 Months Later, I'm Josh Teder, thanks for watching.