What Siri is and why you might want to configure it
Siri is Apple's voice assistant — a program that listens when you speak to your device and carries out tasks or answers questions. It comes built into iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and HomePods. You do not have to use it, but configuring it means you control what information Siri can see, who can set up it, and what it does when you give it a command.
Siri works by sending your voice to Apple's servers, where the words are converted to text and matched against commands. This means Siri needs internet access and will transmit audio of what you say. Understanding what Siri can access — your contacts, calendar, messages, location — helps you decide whether to turn it on, turn it off, or limit what it can do.
The steps to configure Siri differ slightly between device types, but the settings you control are the same: whether Siri listens, who can use it, what apps it can open, and whether it learns your preferences over time.
Key Takeaways
- Siri is turned on by default on most Apple devices, but you can disable it entirely in Settings if you do not want to use it.
- You can choose whether Siri listens only when you hold a button, or whether it listens when you say "Hey Siri" without touching the device.
- Siri can be restricted so that only you can use it, or you can allow anyone with access to your device to set up it.
- In Siri settings, you can control which apps Siri can open and whether it learns your habits and preferences.
- Siri sends your voice to Apple's servers, so disabling it prevents that transmission if you prefer not to use voice commands.
How to turn Siri on or off on an iPhone or iPad
Open the Settings app and tap Siri & Search. You will see a toggle for "Listen for 'Hey Siri'" — this controls whether the device wakes up and listens when you say the phrase. If you turn this off, Siri will not respond to voice commands unless you hold down the home button (on older iPhones) or the side button (on newer iPhones and iPads).
To disable Siri entirely, scroll down in the same Siri & Search menu and tap "Siri" at the top. Choose "Off" from the options. This prevents Siri from responding to any voice command or button press. If you later want to re-enable it, return to the same menu and choose "On."
You can also control Siri from the Lock Screen. In Settings, go to Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode on older models), scroll down, and toggle off "Siri" under "Allow Access When Locked." This prevents someone who picks up your unlocked device from using Siri to send messages or access your information.
How to set up Siri on a Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings. Click Siri & Spotlight in the left sidebar. You will see a toggle for "Listen for 'Hey Siri'" — turn this on if you want the Mac to respond when you say the phrase aloud. If you turn it off, you can still use Siri by clicking the Siri icon in the menu bar or pressing Command+Space.
In the same menu, you can choose whether Siri responds to voice commands when your Mac is locked. Toggle "Allow Siri when locked" on or off depending on whether you want someone with physical access to your Mac to be able to use voice commands without entering your password.
Controlling what Siri can see and do
Siri's access to your information is controlled through the same apps and settings that govern other programs on your device. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings and scroll down to find individual apps. Tap an app, then look for a "Siri & Search" section. You can toggle off "Show in Siri Search" to prevent Siri from accessing that app's data, or turn off "Learn from this App" to stop Siri from using your activity in that app to make suggestions.
For example, if you turn off Siri access to your Messages app, Siri will not be able to read your messages aloud or send messages on your behalf. If you turn off access to your Calendar, Siri cannot tell you about upcoming events. You control this on a per-app basis, so you can allow Siri to access some apps while blocking others.
On a Mac, the same controls exist in System Settings under Siri & Spotlight. Scroll down to see which apps Siri can search and access. Uncheck an app to prevent Siri from using it.
Setting up "Hey Siri" voice recognition
The first time you turn on "Listen for 'Hey Siri'" on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, the device will ask you to train it to recognize your voice. You will be prompted to say "Hey Siri" several times. The device records these samples and learns the sound of your voice so it does not respond to other people saying the phrase.
This voice training is stored on your device, not sent to Apple's servers. However, once Siri is trained and listening, each time you say "Hey Siri," the audio of your command is sent to Apple to be processed. If you do not want your voice commands transmitted, turn off "Listen for 'Hey Siri'" and use Siri only by pressing a button instead.
If you want to retrain Siri to recognize your voice better, go to Siri & Search settings and look for an option to re-record your voice samples. This is useful if Siri is not responding reliably or if you want to train it to recognize your voice in a different language.
Choosing who can use Siri on your device
By default, anyone who picks up your unlocked iPhone or iPad can press the Siri button and use Siri to send messages, make calls, or access your information. To restrict this, go to Settings, then Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), scroll down, and toggle off "Siri" under "Allow Access When Locked."
This setting prevents Siri from working on the Lock Screen, but Siri will still work once the device is unlocked. If you want to prevent Siri from working entirely for other users, you must disable Siri completely in Siri & Search settings. There is no middle ground that allows only you to use Siri while the device is unlocked.
On a Mac, the equivalent setting is in System Settings under Siri & Spotlight. Toggle "Allow Siri when locked" off to prevent someone from using Siri without entering your password.
Understanding Siri's learning and privacy settings
Siri can learn your habits and preferences over time — for example, which contacts you message most often, or what time you usually leave work. This learning happens on your device and is not sent to Apple. However, you can turn it off if you prefer. In Siri & Search settings, look for "Learn from this App" toggles next to individual apps and turn them off.
You can also control whether Siri shows suggestions based on your usage. In Siri & Search settings, toggle off "Suggestions" to prevent Siri from offering shortcuts or app suggestions based on your behavior. This does not affect Siri's ability to respond to direct commands, only its ability to proactively suggest things.
If you are concerned about privacy, remember that disabling "Hey Siri" and using Siri only by pressing a button reduces the amount of audio sent to Apple's servers. Disabling Siri entirely prevents any voice transmission. You can also review what information Siri has learned by going to Settings > Siri & Search and looking for a "Siri History" or "Suggestions" section, though this varies by device and iOS version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Siri without saying "Hey Siri"?
Yes. Turn off "Listen for 'Hey Siri'" in Siri & Search settings. You can then set up Siri by pressing and holding the home button, side button, or Command+Space on a Mac. This prevents the device from listening for the wake phrase and reduces the audio sent to Apple's servers.
Does Siri work without internet?
Siri requires an internet connection to process most commands because your voice is sent to Apple's servers for conversion to text. Some very basic commands may work offline, but you will not be able to send messages, get directions, or search the web without a connection.
What happens to the audio when I use Siri?
Your voice command is sent to Apple's servers, converted to text, and then deleted. Apple says it does not store the audio, but the text of your command may be kept briefly for quality improvement. If you do not want this transmission, disable "Hey Siri" and use Siri only by pressing a button, or disable Siri entirely.
Can I change Siri's voice or language?
Yes. In Siri & Search settings, tap "Siri Voice" to choose a different voice or accent. You can also change the language Siri uses by going to Settings > General > Language & Region and selecting a different language. Siri will then respond in that language.
What should I do if Siri is not responding to "Hey Siri"?
First, make sure "Listen for 'Hey Siri'" is turned on in Siri & Search settings. Then, go back to the same menu and retrain your voice by recording new samples. If that does not work, try turning the setting off and back on again. Make sure your device has a strong internet connection and is not in a very noisy environment.