Over the years, Apple has improved Siri by leaps and bounds. The iOS 15 update also brings offline support. But everything becomes irrelevant when Siri stops working in the first place. Sometimes iPhone doesn't recognize "Hey Siri" command.
Luckily, there are ways to fix the problem instead of yelling at Siri. Here is how you can fix Siri not picking up voice on iPhone.
1. Enable the Hey Siri toggle
Siri might have trouble telling your voice apart from others. But Siri continues to improve over time. You may have turned off the Hey Siri toggle to avoid calling her accidentally. So you have to enable the option in the Settings menu.
Step 1: Open Settings on iPhone.
Step 2: Scroll down to Siri and search.
Step 3: Turn on the Listen for "Hey Siri" toggle.
Close Settings and try waking up Siri Assistant.
2. Allow Siri When Locked
To prevent Siri from waking up when the iPhone is locked or in your pocket, you may have disabled Siri when the device is locked. The assistant may have difficulty picking up the voice due to the current behavior. Follow the steps below and roll back the changes.
Step 1: Launch iPhone Settings.
Step 2: Go to Siri menu and search.
Step 3: Enable the Allow Siri when locked toggle from the next menu.
Now the "Hey Siri" command will work even when the iPhone is locked.
3. Reset dictation
Are you trying to trigger Siri while using the default keyboard on iPhone? You need to make sure that dictation is enabled for the keyboard and also reset Siri dictation. Follow the steps below.
Step 1: Open Settings app on iPhone.
Step 2: Go to General and open the keyboards menu.
Step 3: Turn off the Enable Dictation toggle and after some time turn it back on.
4. Don't keep your iPhone face down
When your iPhone is face down on a table or bed, it won't wake up with the "Hey Siri" command. Make sure your iPhone screen is facing up.
If you want to use the "Hey Siri" command all the time, you need to change the settings in the Accessibility menu. Here's what you need to do.
Step 1: Launch Settings on iPhone.
Step 2: Go to the Accessibility menu.
Step 3: From the General menu, select Siri.
Step 4: Turn on Always Listen for the "Hey Siri" toggle.
5. Enable Bluetooth around multiple "Hey Siri" devices
The "Hey Siri" command also works on other Apple devices such as iPad, HomePod, Mac and Apple Watch. When you have multiple devices lying around, it can get confusing. You need to enable Bluetooth on iPhone so that these devices can decide which one should respond to your command.
Swipe up from the top right corner and open Control Center. Enable the Bluetooth toggle.
6. Remove thick cases
Do you use a thick protective case with iPhone? While most covers have precise holes for using the microphone, some unknown cheap quality cases may not have precise dimensions.
If the case is covering your iPhone's microphone, it won't pick up the "Hey Siri" command. Remove the cover and try using Siri again.
7. Clean the microphone
After a while, your iPhone's microphone may pick up small dust particles. When it comes to such a microphone condition, the iPhone may struggle to pick up your commands.
Use a soft cloth or tape and carefully clean the device's microphone . Do not use any hard object like a needle here as it may permanently damage the iPhone microphone.
8. Disconnect AirPods and Beats headphones
Apple's line of AirPods and Beats headphones support "Hey Siri" commands. When you have AirPods or Beats headphones connected to your iPhone, the device only picks up commands from the connected device.
Disconnect AirPods or Beats headphones from iPhone or place them in the case.
9. Check Siri Language
Siri supports multiple languages. You must select the appropriate Siri language in the Settings menu for accurate Siri operations.
Step 1: Open Settings and go to Siri & search.
Step 2: Select Language and tap your native language.
10. Reset 'Hey Siri'
If you are having trouble with Siri not picking up your voice on your iPhone, you need to reset Siri. Here's how.
Step 1: Launch Settings and go to Siri & Search menu.
Step 2: Turn off Listen to toggle "Hey Siri" and confirm your decision.
Move to a quiet area and activate the same toggle. iOS will ask you to set up Siri from scratch. Follow the onscreen instructions and start using Siri on iPhone.
11. Reset Settings
Incorrect setting of settings can also disrupt Siri operations on iPhone. Let's reset the settings on the iPhone.
Step 1: Open Settings and go to the General menu.
Step 2: Scroll down and select Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Step 3: Tap Reset and select Reset All Settings.
12. Update iPhone Software
An outdated iOS version can cause Siri issues on iPhone. Head to settings and open the general menu. Select Software Update and install the latest version of iOS on the iPhone.
Start using Siri on iPhone
Siri is a pleasure to use with an offline mode. But the voice assistant that doesn't pick up your voice can spoil the fun. Use the tips above and make sure Siri recognizes your voice the first time. Which method helped you fix the Siri not working problem? Share your findings with others in the comments section below.