Want to use Google Assistant for iPhone? It’s available already only in the U.S. App Store, which means Canadians can’t get it—but there is an easy workaround.
All you need is a U.S. iTunes Account, so you can login to iTunes or the App Store, and grab the Google Assistant app. If you’ve never done this before, here’s how to get setup in minutes.
Step 1: Follow our instructions here on how to create a U.S. iTunes account without a credit card on your desktop.
Step 2: Sign out of the App Store on your iPhone by tapping the ‘Featured’ tab, then scrolling to the very bottom. Once signed out, sign in with your new U.S. iTunes account.
Step 3: Click here to download Google Assistant for iPhone.
Step 4: Sign out of the App Store on iPhone, log back in with your Canadian iTunes Account. This way you get your Canadian app updates.
When the next Google Assistant for iPhone update comes out, you’ll need to log into the U.S. App Store to retrieve the update. It’s a pain in the arse, but this is life with apps from both App Stores.
Google Assistant asks for your permission to basically access all of your device information, plus voice and audio activity. You’re giving everything to the Googles…so beware:
Google Assistant for iPhone seems to work fine in Canada with our first test, asking it what the weather was today. It replied with a visual and also read out the weather:
Update: After spending a few more minutes with Google Assistant, the feature to “send emails to your contacts using your voice only” works incredibly well.
Let us know if you’re going to install Google Assistant for iPhone. Let us know how you like the app!
