How to set up Siri on your iPhone

Get instant answers without having to type in a search.
By Andy Moser  on 
A visual illustration of a soundwave.
Need some help setting up Siri? Credit: korkeng via Shutterstock

If you've been saying "Hey, Siri!" to your iPhone only for Apple's digital assistant to ignore you completely (rude), chances are the function hasn't been enabled yet.

In order for Siri to work, you'll need to enable it on your iPhone before you can have the assistant perform tasks like texting your friends or searching the internet hands-free. The process is a simple one and should only take you a minute or two. Here's what you need to do.

How to activate Siri

Total Time
  • 5 min
What You Need
  • iPhone

Step 1: Go to your iPhone settings.

Step 2: Scroll down and tap "Siri & Search".

A screenshot of iPhone's settings with "Siri & Search" highlighted.
Find "Siri & Search" in your iPhone settings Credit: Andy Moser / Apple

Step 3: Tap the switch at the top to turn it green and enable "Listen for 'Hey, Siri'".

A screenshot for an iPhone showing where to toggle "Listen for 'Hey, Siri'".
How it'll look when Siri is fully enabled on your iPhone Credit: Andy Moser / Apple

Step 4: Your iPhone will prompt you to set up "Hey, Siri" — tap "Continue".

Step 5: You'll be asked to say a series of phrases into your phone.

This calibrates Siri and helps the software understand and react to your individual voice.

Step 6: Then just tap "Done" and "Hey Siri" is successfully set up.

You can now say "Hey Siri" and ask Siri to do a number of different commands, such as calling your mom.

You can also access Siri by using a button on your iPhone (rather than your voice). Again, you'll find this option in your iPhone settings in "Siri & Search."

Mashable Light Speed
Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories?
Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter.
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!

Under "Listen for 'Hey, Siri'" you'll see an option that says "Press Side Button for Siri" (or, if you have an iPhone model that still has a "Home" button, it'll say "Press Home Button for Siri." Tap the switch on the right to turn it green, which will enable you to hold your side button or Home button to bring up Siri.

Once you have both "Listen for 'Hey, Siri'" and "Press Side/Home button for Siri activated, your Siri & Search settings should look like this:

A screenshot for an iPhone showing where to toggle "Listen for 'Hey, Siri'".
How it'll look when Siri is fully enabled on your iPhone Credit: Andy Moser / Apple

Siri is now enabled on your iPhone! So next time you say, "Hey, Siri!" she might actually answer you.

Now you're set up, try the 10 best Siri Shortcuts to save you time.

Topics iPhone Siri

Mashable Image
Andy Moser

Andy is a fellow on Mashable's Culture team. He graduated with a B.S. from the University of North Florida in 2018 and moved to New York to pursue journalism in culture and entertainment. He can (and will) talk for too long about Star Wars and movies in general. His fear of stinging insects and 80+ degree weather will keep him inside forever. He wishes he were shorter.


Recommended For You
Is iOS 18 available for iPhone 11?
iPhone 11

How big is the iPhone 13?
Apple iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini

The 5 best laptops under $500 that are actually worth buying
By Dylan Haas , Timothy Beck Werth , and Callum Bains
Lenovo Gaming Chromebook 16 sitting on a table with an Xbox controller



More in Tech

Samsung Galaxy deals are plentiful ahead of Prime Day
woman using S Pen with Samsung Galaxy Tab S9

Microsoft made an AI voice so real, it's too dangerous to release
Microsoft logo on building

Apple issues yet another 'spyware' iPhone warning to users in nearly 100 countries
iPhone 15


Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 11
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

'Wordle' today: Here's the answer hints for July 11
a phone displaying Wordle


NYT's The Mini crossword answers for July 11
Closeup view of crossword puzzle clues

Webb telescope may have just revealed an alien world with air
A super-Earth orbiting a red dwarf star
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!