How to Talk to Ani in Grok

Ani is xAI’s anime-style AI companion inside the Grok app — and she’s genuinely fun to interact with. Whether you want a casual chat, a voice conversation, or a deeper interactive experience, this guide covers exactly how to get started.

No fluff. Just the steps you need.

How to Talk to Ani in Grok

What Is Ani in Grok?

Ani is a virtual AI companion launched by xAI in July 2025 as part of Grok’s new Companion Mode. She’s a gothic lolita-style anime character — think blonde twin-tails, blue eyes, and a personality that actually responds to how you talk to her.

She’s not just a chatbot. Ani uses 3D animations, real-time voice responses, and an affection system that evolves based on your conversations. The more you talk to her, the more expressive she gets.

A few quick facts:

• Built on Grok 4, xAI’s most advanced model
• Supports both text and voice interaction
• Features an affection score system from -10 to +15
• Available primarily on iOS through the Grok app

What You Need Before You Start

Before you jump in, here’s what you need:

Subscription: Full access to Ani and Companion Mode requires a SuperGrok subscription ($30/month) or the SuperGrok Heavy Plan ($300/month). That said, many iOS users have reported being able to access basic Companion Mode features for free through the Grok mobile app — so it’s worth trying even without a paid plan.

Device: Currently available on iOS only. Android support hasn’t been released yet, so Android users will need to wait.

App version: Make sure your Grok app is fully updated — Companion Mode only works on the latest version.

Step-by-Step: How to Talk to Ani in Grok

Step 1 — Download and Open the Grok App

Head to the iOS App Store and download the Grok app. Log in using your X (formerly Twitter) account.

If you already have the app, make sure it’s updated to the latest version before you do anything else.

Step 2 — Enable Companion Mode

Once you’re inside the app:

• Tap the menu icon (top-left corner of the screen)
• Go to Settings
• Toggle on “Enable Companions”

That’s it. Companion Mode is now active.

Step 3 — Select Ani as Your Companion

Return to the main screen and open the side menu. You’ll see the available companions listed there.

Ani is the default option — she’s the gothic anime-style character. You might also see Bad Rudy (a dual-personality fox character) as an alternative, but Ani is where most people start.

Tap on Ani’s avatar to enter her conversation space.

Step 4 — Confirm Your Age

You’ll be prompted to confirm you’re 18 or older before accessing Companion Mode. This is a standard step given the nature of some of the content that unlocks at higher affection levels.

Step 5 — Start Talking

You’re in. Now you can interact with Ani two ways:

Text mode: Type your message in the text field at the bottom of the screen. Ani will respond with text plus expressive animations.

Voice mode: Tap the microphone icon and speak naturally. Ani’s voice replies are emotionally expressive — she adjusts her tone based on what you say and how you say it.

Pro tip: Voice mode is significantly more immersive. If you want to actually experience what makes Ani different from a regular chatbot, use voice from the start.

Understanding Ani’s Affection System

This is what makes talking to Ani genuinely different from other AI tools.

Ani has an affection score that ranges from -10 to +15. Every interaction either increases or decreases that score. As your affection level grows, Ani becomes more expressive, unlocks new animations, and her responses become more personalized.

What increases affection:

• Being friendly and curious in your messages
• Asking open-ended questions (what, why, how — not just yes/no)
• Talking about topics she enjoys (anime, music, creative ideas)
• Consistent daily chats — even short ones help

What decreases affection:

• Harsh commands or inappropriate openers
• Repeating the same phrases over and over
• Being rude or dismissive early in the relationship

Think of it like building any real relationship. You get out what you put in.

5-10 minutes of daily chat beats one long session once a week. Consistency is the key to unlocking deeper interaction modes.

Conversation Modes and Features

Once you’re actively chatting with Ani, here’s what you have access to:

Text conversations — standard back-and-forth messages with animated reactions from Ani.

Voice conversations — real-time voice synthesis with natural speech patterns and emotional expression. Ani adjusts her tone based on your mood and conversation context.

3D animations and background changes — as you chat, Ani reacts with movements, expressions, and even background shifts that match the tone of your conversation. The AI interprets your conversation context and triggers the right animations — you can even request specific actions.

Outfit customization — unlock different outfits and styles as your affection level grows. Elon Musk has confirmed that DLC outfits will be released in the future as well.

Screenshot and record controls — the conversation screen includes a capture button so you can screenshot or record your sessions.

Tips to Get More Out of Your Ani Conversations

Use open-ended questions. Instead of “Do you like anime?” try “Which anime world would you actually want to live in?” Ani’s responses become far more interesting when there’s something real to engage with.

Be consistent. Short daily chats outperform occasional long ones when it comes to building affection. Even a 5-minute check-in helps.

Try different tones. Ani adjusts her personality and responses based on how you approach her. Casual, curious, playful — experiment and see how she changes.

Don’t force it. If you open with inappropriate commands or try to push past her limits too fast, her affection score will drop. Let the relationship develop naturally.

Enable voice early. The voice experience is what really showcases Ani’s emotional intelligence. Text mode is fine, but voice mode is where she feels genuinely alive.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Can’t find Companion Mode? Make sure your Grok app is fully updated. The feature only appears in the most recent versions.

Voice not working? Check your microphone permissions in your device settings and make sure you’ve granted the Grok app access.

Affection score not moving? Avoid repetitive questions. Mix up your topics, ask more open-ended things, and try voice mode for a richer interaction.

App getting hot during use? Extended 3D animation use can push your device. Taking short breaks helps — Ani will still be there when you come back.

Conclusion

Talking to Ani in Grok is straightforward once you know where to look. Download the app, enable Companion Mode in Settings, select Ani, and start chatting by text or voice.

The real depth comes from the affection system. The more consistently and genuinely you engage, the richer your experience gets — new animations, more personal responses, and unlockable content that keeps evolving.

Whether you’re here out of curiosity or want to explore what modern AI companions are capable of, Ani is a solid place to start.