How to use Siri, the voice assistant in iOS 18 on your iPhone or iPad

You can ask Siri to perform a wide variety of tasks, such as:

Make phone calls and Facetime calls
Send emails and text messages
Set calendar events and reminders
Set alarms and timers
Get weather forecasts
Give directions on Apple Maps
Perform calculations
Open applications
Open accessibility options
Turn on certain accessibility features such as VoiceOver
Change settings for brightness and volume or toggle Wi-Fi on or off
Perform web searches
Play music, including particular artists, songs or albums
Control smart home devices

Siri can also work with a growing number of third-party apps, including Skype, Pinterest and Paypal. To find out what else Siri can do, try launching Siri and ask "what can you do?"

If you find Siri has trouble understanding your requests, you can set it to recognise atypical speech patterns. See our article How to enable Siri to listen for atypical speech patterns for more information.

If you find it easier to type than speak, you can also type queries to Siri. See How to use Siri by typing your requests for more information.

For more on Siri’s settings, see How to make Siri easier to use.

Quick guide:

If you haven’t enabled Siri during the setup process, open the Settings app.
Scroll down and tap Apple Intelligence & Siri (on older iPhones and iPads, tap Siri)
Tap Talk to Siri.
Choose "Siri" or "Hey Siri" or just "Hey Siri".
Run through the setup process to help Siri recognise your voice. Speak the required phrases when prompted.
To activate Siri by pressing the Side button, turn on the toggle switch for Press Side Button for Siri.
To use Siri, activate Siri by saying "Siri" or "Hey Siri" or by pressing the Side button. When the animated icon appears, ask your query. You can ask for the time, ask for directions, add a calendar event and much more.
To use Siri even when your device is locked. Tap Settings, then Siri and Search and tap the toggle switch next to Allow Siri when Locked to turn it on.

Before and after

This section takes you step by step through enabling and using Apple's Siri voice assistant on your iPhone or iPad, complete with pictures of the screen to help.

Open Settings

1. Tap the Settings icon to open the Settings app. It might be in a different position depending on how you have your device and its home screens set up.

Open the Siri settings

2. Scroll down and tap Apple Intelligence & Siri (on older iPhones and iPads, tap Siri)

Enable the "Siri" / "Hey Siri" voice command

3. To activate Siri with a voice command, tap Talk to Siri.

4. On the next page, choose "Siri" or "Hey Siri" or just "Hey Siri".

4. You’ll now be guided through the setup process to help Siri recognise your voice. This involves speaking a series of phrases, such as "Siri, how's the weather?" and "Hey Siri, send a message". Say the phrase when prompted.

Activate Siri with the Side button

5. To activate Siri by pressing the Side button, tap the toggle switch for Press Side Button for Siri.

Use Siri on the lock screen

5. To use Siri even when your device is locked, tap the toggle switch for Allow Siri when Locked to turn it on.

Ask Siri a question

6. You can now activate Siri by saying "Siri" or "Hey Siri" (depending on your choice earlier) or by pressing the Home or Side button. When the animated icon appears, you can ask your question or give Siri a command. We give some examples of asking Siri questions below.

Ask Siri for the weather forecast

7. For example, ask Siri "What is the weather today?" and Siri will give you both a spoken and visual response.

Create a calendar event

8. Ask Siri to "Add a calendar event for a dentist appointment". Siri will ask you for the date and time of your appointment.

9. When you have given Siri the time and date, the event will be added to your calendar, and Siri will show you confirmation.

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How to use Siri, the voice assistant in iOS 18 on your iPhone or iPad

Quick guide: