Here’s an easy way to use Google Assistant on iOS
A special trick to help you do a deal with the devil
Show me an easy way to use Google Assistant on iOS
First things first, shout out toReddit user TheRavenSayeth for this tip. You’re the real MVP.
To begin, open the Shortcuts app on iOS and create a new, well, shortcut. Next, add the “Dictate text” feature. If you haven’t enabled it already, iOS will guide you towards settings to turn dictation on.
After this, you need to add Google Assistant to the chain. If you don’t have the app on your iPhone, download it. You should be left with something that looks like this:
We’re not quite done yet though. Make sure you click on the ‘question’ part (highlighted below) and select the ‘Dictated Text’ option.
Next up, we need to sprinkle a bit more magic onto proceedings. Specifically, we need to find an easy way to launch Google Assistant on iOS — and we can do that by assigning the Shortcut tothe delightful iPhone Back Tap feature.
What you want to do is head into Settings and click on Accessibility. From there, select Touch. At the bottom of this page, you should see the Back Tap feature.
Go into this menu and choose either the double or triple tap option. From there, navigate down the menu until you see the Shortcuts section. You should find the sequence you created above here, so select it. Select it nice and good.
There we have it! Now all you have to do to access Google Assistant on iOS is tap the back of your phone.
Is this method perfect or as slick as just using Siri? God no. But it is far easier and slicker than opening the actual Google Assistant app and doing what you need to from there.
Have fun, people. And, if you’d like to see us cover any other tips or tricks,drop us a message on Twitter.
Story byCallum Booth
Callum Booth is a freelance journalist with over a decade of experience. Previously, he was the Managing Editor of TNW, where his reporting(show all)Callum Booth is a freelance journalist with over a decade of experience. Previously, he was the Managing Editor of TNW, where his reporting was cited widely, including in VICE, the FT, and the BBC.
Callum’s writing has appeared in The Verge, The Daily Telegraph, Time Out, and many more. He covers the full spectrum of technology, with a particular focus on how it shapes our daily lives. And a lot of regulation stuff too.
Outside of work, Callum’s an avid bookworm, a Fisherman’s Friends addict, and resolutely unshaven. Follow him on Twitter @CallumBooth or visit www.callumbooth.net.
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