Waze has permanently withdrawn Google Assistant integration from its iOS app following persistent technical instability, with the company confirming the feature’s discontinuation in a forum announcement. The decision follows over a year of unresolved issues where users reported voice commands failing to register despite successful microphone activation.
iPhone users experienced persistent difficulties with voice interactions, including scenarios where the microphone interface activated but failed to process commands. Waze acknowledged these problems in its official statement, expressing regret for the “prolonged inconvenience” caused by the malfunctioning integration.
The navigation service plans to introduce an “enhanced voice interaction solution” as a replacement, though specific timelines remain unconfirmed. Concurrently, Waze has been testing an AI-powered Conversational Reporting feature since October 2024, enabling select users to verbally report traffic incidents using natural language. This beta functionality allows drivers to describe hazards like “There’s a crash up ahead,” with the system engaging in follow-up dialogues for clarification.
The removal also aligns with Google’s transition from Assistant to Gemini, its generative AI-powered successor. Earlier this month, Google confirmed plans to phase out Assistant on most mobile devices and app stores later in 2025, replacing it with Gemini’s enhanced capabilities.
While Android users retain access to Google Assistant within Waze for now, its long-term viability remains uncertain as Gemini adoption accelerates. Google Assistant integration remains operational for Android users, where the feature has reportedly functioned reliably. However, Google’s roadmap suggests eventual migration to Gemini across all platforms, including automotive and home devices.
The timeline for iOS users to access alternative voice functionality remains unspecified, leaving a temporary gap in hands-free navigation features until Waze’s replacement solution launches.