How To Fix Hey Siri Not Working on iPhone After iOS 16 Update
There have been reports of Siri not functioning properly after updating to iOS 16 software. Siri, Apple’s voice command feature, is an essential component of the system, and resolving the issue does not require the use of third-party tools. Users have specifically reported issues with the voice command “Hey Siri” not working as intended. However, there are official solutions available to fix problems related to Siri’s voice commands.
This guide aims to help you resolve the Siri not working issue on the following iOS devices:
- iOS 15 or higher
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 15
- iPad
Contents
Fix Hey Siri Not Working Issues After iOS Update
Restart iOS Device
It’s interesting to note that iPhones and iPads can remain active for weeks or even months without a quick restart. Unlike other operating systems, iOS doesn’t have a dedicated restart or reboot button, which has been useful in certain situations. However, there are alternative methods to restart your device:
- Press and hold the Side button or Sleep/Wake button for about three seconds.
- When the power off toggle appears on the screen, release the Side button.
- To turn off your iOS device, drag the slider to the right side.
- Your smartphone will shut down within a few moments.
I recommend allowing your device to sleep for at least ten minutes. This will help dissipate any excess heat and discharge any residual electric charge from the components. After ten minutes, you can turn on your iPhone or iPad again, and the “Hey Siri” feature should work normally.
Turn On Hey Siri in iOS 16
If you happened to skip the Siri setup process after updating your iOS, don’t worry, it’s a common oversight. The Siri voice command feature needs to be manually enabled for it to work properly. Follow these steps to enable it:
- Tap on the Settings icon on your Home Screen.
- Select “Siri & Search” to access more options.
- Tap on the “Listen for ‘Hey Siri'” option.
- A setup tab for the voice command will appear on the screen. Tap on the “Continue” button.
- Speak the phrase “Hey Siri” into your iPhone.
- Follow up with commands like “Hey Siri, send a message,” “Hey Siri, what’s the weather like today?” “Hey Siri, set a timer for three minutes,” and “Hey Siri, play some music.”
- “Hey Siri” is now ready for use.
- Tap on the “Done” button.
- Make sure the “Listen for ‘Hey Siri'” option is turned on.
Now you understand why it’s important not to skip the Siri setup process. Users need to manually set up “Hey Siri” afterwards, or else it won’t function at all.
Airplane Mode
For Siri to function properly on your iPhone or iPad, it requires an active internet connection. You can ensure a seamless experience by switching to either mobile data or a Wi-Fi network. However, if you encounter network issues within the software, which is a common problem, there is a quick fix you can try. By enabling and disabling Airplane Mode, you can resolve the software-related issue.
Here’s how you can do it:
- Reopen the Settings app from your Home Screen.
- Tap on “Airplane Mode” to enable it.
- Keep the device in Airplane Mode for about a minute.
- Tap on “Airplane Mode” again to disable it.
- Your iPhone’s network connectivity will be restored within five seconds.
- Now, Siri’s voice command should work without any errors.
By following these steps, you can address potential network issues and ensure that Siri functions smoothly on your device.
Change Siri Voice
I’ve noticed that iPhones download the voice pack from the servers, and it seems that there may be accent recognition problems for users who have purchased new iPhones or iPads from different regions. To address this issue, you can change the Siri Voice settings on your iPhone and download the correct voice pack.
Here’s how you can do it:
- Tap on “Settings” from your Home Screen.
- Select “Siri & Search” to access more options.
- Tap on “Siri Voice” to view the available regions.
- Choose the regional language that you prefer. For demonstration purposes, let’s say you select “American.”
- Your iPhone will begin downloading the necessary voice packages from the server.
- The download process may take anywhere from one to ten minutes, depending on the speed and response time of the server.
Once the Siri Voice is successfully downloaded and saved, you can restart your iOS device and start a new session. This should ensure that Siri recognizes and responds appropriately to the selected regional language.
Please note that this process may help address any accent recognition issues you may have encountered with Siri on your device.
Delete Siri & Dictation History
Apple servers store the Siri history associated with your iOS device. If you wish to delete the voice command history on your iPhone or iPad, please keep in mind that once deleted, the data cannot be retrieved.
To delete the Siri history, follow these steps:
- Tap on “Settings” from your Home Screen.
- Select “Siri & Search” to access more options.
- Tap on “Siri & Dictation History.”
- Tap “Delete Siri & Dictation History.”
- Confirm the deletion by tapping “Delete Siri & Dictation History” again.
- Apple Servers will acknowledge your request.
- Your iPhone will remove the Siri & Dictation History in the next few minutes. Please be patient during this process.
It’s important to note that once the Siri history is deleted, it cannot be recovered. Therefore, consider your options carefully before proceeding with the deletion.
Please be aware that deleting the Siri history will remove any associated data from the Apple servers, enhancing your privacy and ensuring that the information is no longer accessible.
Allow Siri Access Location Services
If Siri is not performing at its full potential, it may be because Location Services are turned off. To enable precise location for Siri, follow these steps:
- Tap on “Settings” from your Home Screen.
- Select “Privacy.”
- Choose “Location Services.”
- Find “Siri & Dictation” and tap on it to view the settings.
- Tap “While Using the App.”
- Toggle the switch to enable “Precise Location.”
By enabling precise location for Siri, you can try performing the task with Siri’s assistance again and assess the effectiveness of the solution. Keep in mind that you don’t have to share your location with Siri at all times, as it will only attempt to locate you when you are actively using the device.
Please note that enabling precise location for Siri can enhance its functionality and provide more accurate responses and assistance.
Reset All Settings
If Siri is your daily driver and you’re determined to resolve the Voice Command issue, you may consider resetting the iPhone settings as a last resort. This will help eliminate any bugs or glitches that could be causing the problem. However, before proceeding, it’s crucial to back up your iPhone data either in the local storage or iCloud.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to resetting the iPhone settings:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap on “General” in the settings menu.
- Scroll down and select “Transfer or Reset iPhone.”
- Tap on “Reset.”
- Choose “Reset All Settings.”
- Follow the security protocol and enter your Passcode to proceed.
- Confirm the action by tapping “Reset All Settings.”
After initiating the reset, your iPhone will quickly restart, displaying the Apple logo and a progress bar indicating the remaining completion duration. It’s important to note that resetting all settings may result in the loss of data, so ensure you have backed up your data beforehand.
For a faster restoration process, I recommend using iTunes backup on a Windows or Mac computer. Additionally, make sure your iPhone is charged up to at least 90% to avoid any potential issues during the reset.
What’s next?
If you’re experiencing persistent Siri problems on your iPhone or iPad, it’s possible that the software on your device has become corrupted. In such cases, it is advisable to seek professional assistance from Apple Customer Care for technical advice and support. They can provide you with the necessary guidance to resolve the issue effectively.
In the meantime, you can attempt to restore the iPhone software or update the software to see if it helps in resolving the Siri not working problem. However, it is important to exercise caution and read reviews or seek expert advice before proceeding with any software-related actions.
Please keep us informed about which solution ultimately helps you in resolving the Siri not working issue on iOS 16.