Waze Ditches Google Assistant on iOS: What You Need to Know About Ongoing Issues

iPhone users have recently experienced challenges with the integration of Google Assistant for Waze, a popular navigation app. Since its launch on iOS in 2020, these issues have persisted for over a year, prompting Waze to apologize for the ongoing inconvenience.

Waze Discontinues Google Assistant Feature

On Wednesday, Waze officially announced the discontinuation of the Google Assistant feature. This decision comes after numerous complaints from users regarding functionality issues.

User Feedback on Microphone Functionality

Many users took to platforms like Reddit to express their frustrations. They reported that when attempting to use the microphone button to communicate with Google Assistant, there was no response, despite the Assistant seemingly detecting their voice.

Upcoming Enhancements from Waze

In response to these persistent issues, Waze is planning to roll out an “enhanced voice interaction solution” in the near future. This was communicated in a recent announcement on their official forum.

AI-Powered Conversational Reporting

Additionally, Waze has been testing a new feature called “Conversational Reporting”, which utilizes AI technology. Launched in October 2024, this feature allows select users to report incidents verbally, enhancing the overall user experience.

Changes in Google Assistant Services

The timing of Waze’s feature discontinuation aligns with Google’s recent announcement regarding its transition from Google Assistant to its new AI model, Gemini. This shift aims to phase out the Assistant on most mobile devices and within app stores by the end of this year.

Continued Support for Android Users

For the time being, Android users can still utilize Google Assistant for Waze without any interruptions. This support ensures that Android users continue to enjoy a seamless navigation experience.

For more information about Waze and its features, visit the Waze Help Center. To learn more about Google’s transition to Gemini, check out this Google blog post.