In iOS 10 and later, “Hey Siri” from Apple uses Bluetooth information to activate the virtual
The system is smart enough to understand which device should respond.
For example, if you raise your wrist and say“Hey Siri”, the system will understand that you are accessing the clock. If you are currently using an iPhone, iPad or Mac, the device you are using will respond. If you have a HomePod and you're not interacting with any other devices, it will respond in most cases.
Compatibility “Hey Siri”
In September 2014, Apple added the ability to activate the virtual assistant with the phrase “Hey Siri” without having to press buttons or touch the device at all.
Function “Hey Siri” supported on:
- iPhone 6S and later
- iPad Pro/iPad 6th generation
- iPod touch 6th generation
- iMac Pro 2017 and later
- MacBook Pro 2018 and later
It is worth noting that the function does not require an Internet connection. As soon as the device recognizes the voice command, Siri will begin to listen to you further.
How does Siri select a device?
What happens when you say “Hey Siri” while multiple devices are nearby?
All devices that support the feature use Bluetooth to communicate with each other and understand which device should respond.
This will be one of the options:
- The device that heard you best.
- The device you just picked up.
- The device you just used.
If you lift your Apple Watch wrist and say a command, Siri will understand that you want to use the watch and will broadcast the command to other devices so that they do not respond to the phrase.
If iPhone and iPad Pro are nearby, and in the roomthere is also an Apple TV with HomePod, then the speaker will most likely answer you. The smart speaker will hear you best because it has six microphones.
Also read:How to text Siri commands on Mac
If an iPhone and iPad are nearby, and there are no other devices nearby, the one that was last used will answer.
How to use “Hey Siri” if you have multiple Apple devices
If you have multiple Apple devices, read on to learn how to use the feature on each one separately.
iPhone and iPad
Pick up your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch from the table and say: “Hey Siri”.
You can also hold down the Side button on iPhone X or the Home button on other models and devices to activate the virtual assistant.
Also read:9 Useful Hidden Features of Siri
If the iPhone is face down, it will not respond to the command.
Function “Hey Siri” Works on iPhone 6s, iPad Pro, iPad and iPod touch 6th generation and later. Other models respond to the command only when connected to a power source.
Mac
If your Mac supports the feature, you canactivate Siri without clicking on the assistant icon or holding down a special key combination. The feature will also work when the computer is locked or in sleep mode if there are no other devices nearby.
Just say “Hey Siri” after unlocking your device. The virtual assistant will have to answer you. If you have a Mac laptop, the lid must be open.
Siri on Mac works with macOS Sierra 10.12 and later, and the “Hey Siri” limited to new models only. The iMac Pro and MacBook Pro 2018 contain a T2 chip that powers the feature.
You can also activate the virtual assistant manually by clicking on the Siri icon in the menu, dock, applications folder, or touchbar.
HomePod
Apple notes that HomePod responds to commands most of the time when you have multiple devices nearby. If you haven't touched any of the other devices, the smart speaker will answer you.
If the column does not respond to a command, then you most likely disabled command recognition earlier.
Also read:New HomePod Test: Siri Satisfies 52.3% of Requests
To turn the feature on, touch the top of the speaker and say “Turn on Hey Siri”. You will hear confirmation that the feature is active again.
Apple Watch
To have Siri respond on your watch, simply lift your watch wrist or touch the watch display. When the screen activates, say the command.
Function “Hey Siri” Works on all Apple Watch models.
On Apple Watch Series 3 and later, Siri responds to youaloud, and on older models the answers are shown on the display. With Apple Watch Series 3, you can also activate the feature through headphones connected to the watch.
For Siri to work on your watch, it must be connected to the internet.
Apple TV
Apple TV does not yet support the “Hey Siri” feature.
To use Siri on Apple TV 4th generation or Apple TV 4K, hold down the button on your remote, say the prompt, and then release the button.
Siri on Apple TV requires tvOS 9 or later.
On “Hey Siri” Is the wrong device responding?
If you follow the tips above but the wrong device responds, do the following:
- Turn on Bluetooth:Make sure Bluetooth is turned on on all devices. If Bluetooth is turned off, multiple devices may respond at once.
- Update system:Obviously, you need the latest version of the system, since older versions can cause errors.
- Turn on the function “Hi,Siri“:Make sure the “Hey Siri” feature is turned on on all devices.
- Connect to the internet:Recognizing the “Hey Siri” commandperformed by the device itself, but some devices require a network connection. For example, the Apple Watch requires a network connection on the watch itself or on the associated smartphone.
- Do not put iphonedisplay down:Starting with iOS 9, iPhone supports a feature that allows your smartphone to mute notifications and block Hey Siri from working when your smartphone is face down.
- Check settings HomePod:There is no screen on the smart speaker that would make it immediately clear whether the function is active or not. Just in case, enable the function as described above, or do it through the Home application on your iPhone.
- Open the laptop cover:If your Mac laptop supports the feature but does not respond to the command, open its lid.
- Do not block Mac:Mac doesn't respond to command when it's locked. Voice command recognition by a locked device can be enabled inSystemicsettings→Siri.