Use Google Now on iPhone - how it works
By default, Siri is installed on the iPhone as a voice assistant. You can find out how you can still use Google Now in this practical tip.
What is Google Now?
- Google Now has been around since 2012. Until the end of last year, Google Now was Google's voice assistant, which was used on all Android smartphones in connection with the Google search app.
- Together with the Google Pixel and Pixel XL, Google presented the Google Assistant, which is to replace Google Now in perspective - at least on all new devices that have the latest Android.
- However, the Google Assistant is not yet available in German and therefore also in Germany, so Android users in this country still have to make friends with Google Now.
- After setting up, the voice assistant reacts to the command "Ok Google".
- Google Now shows experience-based information such as cards, calendar entries and messages as well as location-based recommendations.
- One crucial feature of the Google Assistant, however, does not master Google Now: context-based replies.
- So it is not possible to have "correct conversations" with the assistant, rather the user has to ask again and again and formulate the questions accordingly.
Use Google Now on iPhone - that's the reason
There has been a Google Now app in Apple's App Store since 2013, which makes using Google Now on the iPhone surprisingly easy.
- The use of Google Now can be particularly useful if you simply don't get warm with Apple Siri or if you find the functions of Google Assistant to be better.
- However, you should be aware that Google Now doesn't work nearly as well with iOS as Siri. Calling up by pressing the home button for a long time is just as impossible as activating it with clear commands such as "set a timer to ten minutes".
- In addition, Siri, like reminding of appointments or calling contacts, is usually more reliable than Google's competitor AI, which is only used to a limited extent by Android users.
- Nevertheless, the two language assistants hardly differ on paper. Both master the basic functions, including asking about the weather or a specific date.
- Which of the two voice assistants you choose is entirely up to you, but both are platform-based and feature-rich and interactive.
Use Google Now on iPhone - how it works
As already announced above, using Google Now on the iPhone is not particularly expensive.
- Simply search for the corresponding Google app in the Apple App Store and install the application.
- Then go through the familiar setup process and log in with your Google account.
- After the successful setup, you have to open the app to use Google Now and then you can either start a search by voice (microphone icon) or enter your request using the keyboard in the known search field.
- If you scroll down, Google Now should show you the information described, such as the weather, upcoming appointments or activity recommendations.
- Swipe right and you'll see several more options. This allows you to personalize Google Now or modify the way information is displayed.
- It is also possible to change the Google Now settings here, for example with regard to notifications or data protection.
Use Google Assistant on iPhone - is it also possible on iPhone?
Google Assistant reserves the right to replace Google Now as a much more powerful voice assistant.
- You can also find the Google Assistant in the app store - but only in English.
- Nevertheless, the installation and setup works according to the same scheme as with Google Now.
- As soon as the Google Assistant is also available in Germany, it is definitely recommended to use it on the iPhone. According to various reviews and announced functions, Google apparently trumps Apple's Siri.
- However, the same applies here again: the app runs on the iPhone, but there is no real system compatibility - especially with regard to voice activation and context-based communication.
To help you find your way around Google Now quickly, we will show you the most important voice commands for the Google voice assistant in another article.