Perplexity Assistant For iOS Can Now Perform Real-World Tasks Using Voice Commands

Perplexity AI has released a significant update to its iOS app, bringing with it a new feature named Perplexity Assistant, which allows users to control real-world activities on their iPhones via voice commands. For the first time, an AI assistant on iOS can not only respond to questions but also perform actions such as playing media, handling emails, and reserving rides.

Sponsored by CEO Aravind Srinivas on X (formerly Twitter), the release puts Perplexity as more than a conversational bot — it's built to be completely actionable. Perplexity Assistant is the only assistant that can actually do things on the device, unlike Siri or ChatGPT Voice.

What Does Perplexity AI Update Bring To The Table

The users are now able to ask for certain actions using voice commands such as, "Play the podcast on which Marc Andreessen discusses browsers with Lex Fridman," or "Show the video of Katy Perry kissing the ground upon landing from the rocket." Apple Music for playing and Apple Mail for emails are supported by the assistant right now, with Google apps like Gmail and Google Calendar also being added shortly.

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The assistant is activated through voice, although there is a slight lag of about 3–4 seconds. For faster access, users can remap the iPhone's Action Button to open Perplexity's Voice Mode, essentially making it an AI trigger.

There are limitations, though. Because of restrictions by Apple's SDK, Perplexity Assistant can't tweak iOS system settings such as screen brightness, volume, or flashlight, and it can't even set native alarms. That being said, there is an in-app solution for alarms.

Srinivas even humorously proposed "Hey Steve" — a reference to Apple co-founder Steve Jobs — as a potential trigger phrase for the assistant.

Although it's not yet a full Siri replacement, Perplexity Assistant is the most capable mobile AI agent in existence right now. With its blending of natural language comprehension and useful features, it provides a more practical and hands-free method for using your iPhone — something even ChatGPT has not yet achieved on iOS. This new release might be an indication of a new era for mobile AI assistants, with an emphasis on utility and practical application.

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