Turn on and activate Siri on iPhone (original) (raw)

After you turn on Siri, you need to activate it, then ask a question or make a request.

Note: You must be connected to the internet to use Siri.

  1. Do one of the following:
    • With your voice: Say “Siri” or “Hey Siri.”
    • On an iPhone with Face ID: Press and hold the side button.
    • On an iPhone with a Home button: Press and hold the Home button.
    • With EarPods: Press and hold the center or call button.
    • With CarPlay: Press and hold the voice command button on the steering wheel, or touch and hold the Home button on the CarPlay Home Screen. See Use Siri in your car on iPhone.
    • With Siri Eyes Free: Press and hold the voice command button on your steering wheel.
  2. Ask a question or make a request—for example, say something like “What’s 18 percent of 225?” or “Set the timer for 3 minutes.”
    Tip: To change how long Siri waits for you to finish speaking, go to the Settings app , tap Accessibility, tap Siri, then choose Default, Longer, or Longest below Siri Pause Time.

When you activate Siri with a button, Siri responds silently when iPhone is in silent mode. When silent mode is off, Siri responds out loud. When you activate Siri with your voice, Siri responds out loud. To change this behavior, see Change how Siri responds.

You can also activate Siri with a touch or your voice on supported AirPods. See Set up Siri in the AirPods User Guide.

Tip: To prevent iPhone from responding to “Siri” or “Hey Siri,” place your iPhone face down, or go to the Settings app , tap Siri (or Apple Intelligence & Siri), tap “Listen for,” then choose Off.