Waze Pulls Google Assistant From iPhones Amid Mounting Issues | Image Source: www.engadget.com
LOS ANGELES, California, March 26, 2025 – In a movement that has generated both frustration and curiosity among users, Waze, the popular Google navigation app, officially abandoned the plug in Google Assistant integration for iPhones. The decision, announced on 26 March, follows over a year of persistent problems and failing corrections, and the company agreed that integration had simply not worked as planned. ”
According to Waze, voice control had become more of an obstacle than help to iPhone users. For over a year, users have flooded forums like Reddit with broken voice control reports, failed detection and non-respondent interactions. Removal is not just a short-term patch – it’s a permanent removal that clarifies the way for a new solution, possibly powered by Google’s emerging AI, Gemini. Meanwhile, Android users still keep Google Assistant access – at least for now.
Why Waze Removing Google iPhone Assistant?
According to an official statement from Waze, the integration of Google Assistant has been broken in iOS for some time. The update of the implementation forum strongly recognized that the feature “has not worked as planned for more than a year” and that the current arrangements have proved unsuccessful. Instead of continuing to apply patches, Waze decided to leave the functionality completely in iPhones from March 27.
A Reddit user said saying “Hey Google” would release Assistant, but did not record voice input - a common experience resonated with many others. For a request that is proud to be a handless driving partner, such inconsistencies were unacceptable. In short, the experiment was broken, and the bandit support fixations did not cut it.
Is Google Assistant still available to Android users?
Yeah, for now. While iPhone users are out of luck, Google Assistant is still available for Android users using Waze. According to the company, integration continues to work reliably on Android devices, making its removal unnecessary at the moment. That said, there’s a bigger story behind the scenes: Google is phasing out Assistant in favour of Gemini, a new IA assistant that promises more natural interactions and better contextual understanding.
Earlier this month, Google announced that Google Assistant would be removed from most mobile devices later this year. Downloads will also be removed from application stores. While Waze users on Android can still issue voice commands such as “Traffic Report” or “Navigate home”, they must be prepared for an experience led by Gemini in the near future.
What will Google Assistant replace in Waze for iPhones?
It’s about millions of dollars. Waze involved an “enhanced voice interaction solution,” but did not provide specific details. Many industry observers believe that Gemini will take the central stage. From now on, Waze has already started testing a Gemini feature called “Conversational Reporting”, which allows users to report on road conditions using natural language.
This feature has been in beta since October 2024, and the first testers could say things like ”There’s a hole in the main street” or “Traffic stops near the bridge”, without having to touch the screen. Involvement? Google features a more intuitive and first voice experience in AI – an experience that doesn’t trust the clumsy performance that devastated Assistant in iOS.
How did you experience the iPhone user?
For iPhone users, the integration of broken Wizard was more than a minor inconvenience. Waze is particularly valuable for drivers who need to report incidents on the road, and shooting through menus can be dangerous and distracting. Voice commands – when they work – are safer and faster. But for more than a year, iPhone users have not been able to rely on Google Assistant for basic tasks such as setting a destination or reporting a danger.
One driver described the experiment as trying to talk to someone using noise earphones: You scream in a vacuum, and nothing comes back. Even simple commands such as “Navigate to work” did not activate the expected answer. The frustration increased, especially when Android users continued to enjoy a smooth performance.
What alternatives do iPhone users have?
Fortunately, iPhone users are not completely out of options. Waze still works with Siri, Apple’s voice assistant. Users can configure shortcuts in the Shortcut application, allowing them to say things like “Hey Siri, take me to Waze” or ”Navigate home in Waze.” The integration with Apple’s CarPlay also remains intact, allowing for smoother car experiences.
However, Siri’s functionality with Waze is not as deep as Google Assistant. There is no complete voice interface to signal hazards or interact with the Waze interface by Siri alone. That said, for users who just want to define a destination or launch the application, Siri always gets the job done.
What is Gemini and why is it important?
Gemini is the next generation of Google’s IA assistant who should finally replace Google Assistant. Unlike its predecessor, Gemini focuses on the treatment of natural language, contextual awareness and multi-application integration. Think of it as a smarter and more receptive co-driver who understands not only what you say, but what you mean.
Waze has already started to experiment with Gemini’s capabilities through its Conversational Reporting function. According to TechCrunch, this AI-driven feature allows users to describe road problems in a more fluid and less robotic way. The function is still in the tests, but early feedback suggests that it is more accurate and less frustrating than previous voice interactions.
Why is this change going on now?
Time is not accidental. Google has publicly stated its intention to remove Assistant from most mobile environments, replacing it with Gemini. This change aligns with broader technological trends that promote more humanized digital experiences. AI is no longer just a basic tool – it becomes the interface itself.
Waze’s decision to remove a broken auxiliary feature is part of this development. Instead of investing more resources to repair something that doesn’t work, the company chooses to start over. And with Gemini showing promise in the early trials, the transition seems inevitable.
What does that mean for Waze’s future?
For Waze, the movement represents a pivot towards smarter and more reliable interactions, a step away from the support of the static and disconcerting voice of the past. If Gemini can keep its promise, users can soon enjoy a more fluid experience: reporting dangers, navigating traffic or asking for detours with the same ease as speaking with a friend.
But the transition is not without risks. Long-term users are accustomed to the command structure of Google Assistant. The introduction of a new AI means a learning curve, and perhaps more errors. However, Waze seems to be sure that this is the right direction, and the company’s testing efforts suggest a serious commitment to do so.
Final reflections
Waze’s decision to file Google Assistant on iOS is less about defeat and more about management. With Google changing its ecosystem into Gemini, and Assistant is increasingly faded in the background, writing was on the wall. For iPhone users, this may seem like a failure, but with Gemini on the wings, a better experience could be just around the corner.
For now, Android users can continue to use Google Assistant, although the change is likely to happen as well. iPhone users will have to trust Siri or patiently wait for Waze’s next generation of voice commands. If Gemini lives to expectations, it remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the age of awkward voice commands can finally give way to something more intuitive.
