Using voice commands to interact with Siri lets you perform tasks and get answers to queries hands-free, which is great for multitasking. However, talking to Siri can make you feel shy in public. Luckily, you can use Type to Siri to skip awkward phone conversations and still get the answers you need.
What is Type to Siri?
Type to Siri allows you to interact with Siri by typing commands and queries instead of speaking. While especially useful for people with speech impairments, this feature is valuable to everyone.
Not only does it eliminate the awkwardness of talking to Siri in public, this feature also allows you to effectively interact with Siri in noisy environments, where Siri may have difficulty hearing and understanding you.
Type to Siri was first introduced in iOS 11 as an accessibility feature. However, Apple realized that more people could benefit from this feature and released an improved version of Type to Siri with iOS 18.1. The latest update gives Type to Siri a new user interface, introduces a new activation method, and makes the feature more context-aware with Apple Intelligence integration. You can even enable the ChatGPT extension to find help for advanced queries.
Which iPhones support Type to Siri?
Type to Siri is available on all iPhones running iOS 11 or later. However, you need an iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence to use its updated version. The following is a list of iPhone models with updated versions:
How to enable and use Type to Siri on iPhone
Turning on and using Type to Siri on iPhone is very simple. However, the process is different for old and new iPhone models because the enable and trigger buttons are relocated.
Turn on and use Type to Siri on iPhone with Apple Intelligence
On iPhones supported by Apple Intelligence:
- Open Settings.
- Click Apple Intelligence & Siri > Talk & Type to Siri.
- Turn on the side button Type to Siri.
Once enabled, all you need to do is double-click the horizontal App Switcher bar along the bottom edge of the screen to activate Type to Siri. Then, start typing your query or command and press the Send key to send the request. Siri will then respond to that request.
If tapping the App Switcher bar makes you feel awkward, you can customize your iPhone's Action button to call Type to Siri instead. Just open Settings and choose Action Button. Then scroll to Controls and press Choose a Control. Finally, look Type to Siri and click on it.
Now, press and hold the Action button to activate Type to Siri.
Turn on and use Type to Siri on old iPhone
To enable Type to Siri on an iPhone that doesn't support Apple Intelligence, follow these steps:
- Open Setting.
- Go Accessibility > Siri.
- Turn on the option Input data into Siri.
After you turn it on Input data into Siripress the side button on iPhone to invoke this feature. When this brings up the keyboard, enter any commands or queries you have for Siri and Siri will respond.
Unlike on iOS 18.1, sometimes Siri may not be able to determine when you make a text query and will respond by voice. If you think you'll be using Type to Siri most of the time, you can ask Siri to respond silently. On the Siri settings page, go to section Feedback is spoken and select options Prioritize silent responses.
Type to Siri is a handy feature when you want to interact with Siri discreetly. So make sure to enable this feature on your iPhone, especially if you frequently use Apple Intelligence or Siri. Doing so will not disable voice functionality, so you can choose your preferred method of seeking help from Siri based on the situation.
In addition to iPhone, you can also use Type to Siri on Mac. Type to Siri is available on Macs running macOS High Sierra or later, although you need an Apple Intelligence-compatible Mac running macOS Sequoia to use the latest version of the feature.
