On April 24, 2025, Perplexity launched a discreet but revolutionary update for iPhone: Voice Assistant. Much more than a minor improvement, this new feature radically transforms the daily use of Apple smartphones, to the point of surpassing the enriched Siri that we are still waiting for.
Perplexity Voice Assistant: A major change for iPhone users
Already deployed on Android for several months, Perplexity’s Voice Assistant is making its debut on iOS with a bang. Thanks to artificial intelligence, it now allows you to interact directly with iPhone applications, a long-awaited feature from Apple Intelligence that has yet to materialize.
The best news? You don’t need to own the latest model with Apple Intelligence technology. All devices running iOS 16 or later can benefit from Perplexity Assistant’s features, providing much broader accessibility for all users.
A powerful assistant without hardware restrictions
The open-source strategy imposed by European standards appears to have allowed Perplexity to more easily access the iPhone’s internal features. As a result, Voice Assistant is able to connect different applications with impressive fluidity. Here are the main actions it can perform:
- Compose emails and open them directly in the Mail app.
- Schedule reminders and add events to the Calendar.
- Reserve a table at restaurants through partner services like OpenTable.
- Order an Uber without having to open the app.
- Play music or podcasts via Apple Music and Podcasts.
- Perform precise searches in Apple Maps to locate places.
This versatility makes Perplexity Assistant extremely practical in everyday life, directly rivaling the experience Apple promises for its future assistants.
How to install and use Perplexity Assistant on iPhone?
Perplexity has made using its Voice Assistant quick and easy. There are two activation modes:
- By classic voice command, even when you navigate outside the app.
- Through a shortcut built into the iPhone, which you can customize via the Shortcuts app.
Added a shortcut for instant access
For those who want even faster access, especially on iPhone 16 Pros with an Action button, it is possible to assign the assistant to a simple long press:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap the Action Button option.
- Select Shortcut.
- In the search tab, type “Perplexity”.
- Choose “Start Voice Mode”.
By setting up your iPhone this way, you’ll be able to summon Perplexity Assistant with a single tap and immediately take advantage of its many advanced features.
Perplexity on iPhone: A New Era for Mobile Assistance?
With this advancement, Perplexity isn’t just catching up with Apple’s ambitions; it’s redefining the standards for smartphone assistance. Faster, more flexible, and already compatible with a wide range of devices, Perplexity’s voice assistant could well become a must-have for all iPhone users, even before Apple Intelligence is fully available.
The mobile personal assistant market has clearly taken on a new dimension, and Perplexity has decided to be the driving force behind it.
