Google has been in the works to make Assistant feel more functional on iOS. Competing virtual assistants for Apple platforms can’t cope with the convenience or the access speed that Siri is able to provide but Google is taking advantage of every tool they can get their hands on to get closer.

With the recent update Google Assistant released, support for Siri Shortcuts were introduced in addition to the already available Assistant widget to the left of your home or lock screen. Users may be able to record phrases like “Hi Google” or ‘OK Google” where the Assistant app opens and immediately listen to your command or question.

Users can also access the hands-free feature in your phone by saying “Hey Siri” then “OK Google.” This is quite an improvement for users to be more integrated with their devices and perhaps fully utilize the function.

Siri shortcuts can also be set up according to the user’s preferred phrases with Assistant. You are also able to create a custom voice command for a single smart home action or to trigger your Google Assistant smart home routines inside Siri. Therefore, by saying something like “Goodnight Google” would initiate Siri to open Assistant and carry out smart home routines like locking the door or switching off the lights.

Google Assistant has really improved on iOS with the help of Siri Shortcuts making its functions more complete for users than ever before. For the latest version, users should just update Assistant for iOS for the latest shortcut integration.