Apple users now have a new AI assistant to play with—Perplexity Assistant just landed on iPhones, bringing voice-controlled help for emails, music, scheduling, and more.
But is it better than Siri? Can it really replace your go-to assistant? Let’s break down what it can do, what it can’t, and how to set it up.
What Is Perplexity Assistant?
Perplexity Assistant is an AI-powered voice helper that works inside the Perplexity app. Think of it like ChatGPT with a voice—but designed to actually do things on your iPhone, not just answer questions.
✅ Works with Apple’s built-in apps (Mail, Calendar, Music, Maps)
✅ Voice-controlled email & scheduling
✅ Plays music & podcasts
❌ Can’t adjust system settings (brightness, volume, alarms)
❌ No third-party app support yet (Gmail, Spotify, etc.)
How to Set Up Perplexity Assistant on iPhone
Step 1: Update the App
- Make sure you have the latest version of Perplexity from the App Store.
Step 2: Enable Microphone Access
- Open Perplexity → Go to Settings → Privacy → Microphone → Toggle on.
Step 3: Start Talking
- Tap the 🎤 microphone icon in the app and speak your request.
- Example: “Play ‘Blinding Lights’ on Apple Music” or “Send an email to John.”
Bonus: Add a Home Screen Shortcut
- Open Perplexity → Tap “…” → Add to Home Screen for quick access.
What Can Perplexity Assistant Do?
1. Control Music & Podcasts
- “Play Beyoncé on Apple Music”
- “Resume my podcast”
- Limitation: Only works with Apple Music, not Spotify or YouTube Music (yet).
2. Send & Manage Emails
- “Send an email to Sarah: ‘Meeting at 3 PM?’”
- “Read my latest emails”
- Works with: Apple Mail only (Gmail support coming soon).
3. Schedule Meetings & Events
- “Add a meeting with Alex tomorrow at 2 PM”
- “What’s on my calendar today?”
- Uses: Apple Calendar (Google Calendar support in development).
4. Get Directions & Local Search
- “Navigate to the nearest coffee shop”
- “Show me gas stations on Apple Maps”
- Powered by: Apple Maps (no Google Maps yet).
What Can’t It Do? (Big Limitations)
🚫 No system controls – Can’t adjust brightness, volume, or toggle flashlight.
🚫 No alarms or timers – Unlike Siri, it can’t set reminders.
🚫 Only Apple apps for now – No Gmail, Spotify, or WhatsApp support yet.
Why? Apple’s strict SDK rules block third-party apps from accessing certain functions.
Perplexity vs. Siri: Which Is Better?
| Feature | Perplexity Assistant | Siri |
|---|---|---|
| Music Control | ✅ (Apple Music only) | ✅ (Works with Spotify, Apple Music) |
| ✅ (Apple Mail) | ✅ (Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail) | |
| Calendar | ✅ (Apple Calendar) | ✅ (Google Calendar, Apple Calendar) |
| Navigation | ✅ (Apple Maps) | ✅ (Google Maps, Apple Maps) |
| System Controls | ❌ | ✅ (Flashlight, alarms, volume) |
| Third-Party Apps | ❌ (Coming soon) | ✅ (WhatsApp, Uber, etc.) |
Verdict:
- Siri wins for system control & app integrations.
- Perplexity is better for research & AI-powered answers (since it’s connected to Perplexity’s knowledge base).
What’s Coming Next?
Perplexity has confirmed Gmail, Google Calendar, and more third-party app support are in the works. They’re also exploring ways to bypass Apple’s restrictions for volume control, alarms, and flashlight access.
Final Thoughts: Should You Use It?
👍 Great if you:
- Use Apple’s ecosystem (Mail, Music, Calendar).
- Want an AI assistant that also answers complex questions.
👎 Skip if you:
- Need Spotify, Google apps, or system controls.
- Already rely on Siri for quick tasks.
Will you try Perplexity Assistant? Let me know in the comments!
