If you’re finding that Siri is interfering with your daily routine or you simply don’t use the voice assistant, disabling it is a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few steps. Whether you’re an iPhone, iPad, or Mac user, this article will guide you through the necessary steps to turn off Siri and regain control over your device without any hassle.
Disabling Siri offers several benefits. It can help preserve battery power, as Siri constantly runs in the background, listening for your voice commands. It can also eliminate unwanted interruptions, such as Siri accidentally activating when you’re talking to someone or when you’re trying to use another app. Additionally, disabling Siri can provide an extra layer of privacy, as it prevents the assistant from collecting and storing your voice recordings.
The process of disabling Siri varies slightly depending on the device you’re using. For iPhone and iPad users, you can disable Siri by going to the “Settings” app, selecting “Siri & Search,” and then toggling the “Listen for ‘Hey Siri’” switch to the “Off” position. On a Mac, you can disable Siri by clicking on the Apple menu, selecting “System Preferences,” then “Siri,” and then unchecking the box next to “Enable Siri.” By following these simple steps, you can quickly and easily disable Siri on your Apple device, allowing you to enjoy a more streamlined and uninterrupted user experience.
Disable Press Side Button for Siri
To disable the ability to activate Siri using the side button, follow these steps:
- Open the **Settings** app.
- Select **Siri & Search**.
- Under **“When to Listen for ‘Hey Siri,’”** toggle off the switch next to **“Press Side Button for Siri.”**
Disable When Connected to Specific Bluetooth Devices (iOS 14.5 and later)
To enhance privacy and prevent accidental Siri activation when connected to certain Bluetooth devices, you can selectively disable the side button trigger:
- Connect the Bluetooth device to your iPhone.
- Go to **Settings** > **Bluetooth**.
- Tap the **“i”** icon next to the connected device.
- Disable the toggle next to **“Allow Siri Access.”**
You can repeat this process for any Bluetooth devices you wish to restrict Siri access from.
Bluetooth Device | Siri Access |
---|---|
Car stereo | Disabled |
Wireless headphones | Enabled |
Disable Siri Suggestions in Search
To disable Siri suggestions in search, follow these steps:
- Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap “General.”
- Tap “Siri & Search.”
- Under “Suggestions in Search,” turn off the switch for “Suggestions from Apps & Websites.”
Disable Siri Suggestions on the Lock Screen
To disable Siri suggestions on the lock screen, follow these steps:
- Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap “Notifications.”
- Scroll down and tap “Siri Suggestions.”
- Turn off the switch for “Show on Lock Screen.”
Disable Siri Suggestions on the Home Screen
To disable Siri suggestions on the home screen, follow these steps:
- Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap “Siri & Search.”
- Under “Suggestions in Search,” turn off the switch for “Suggestions on Home Screen.”
Disable Other Siri Features
To disable other Siri features, such as “Hey Siri” and “Raise to Speak,” follow these steps:
- Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap “Siri & Search.”
- Under “Ask Siri,” turn off the switches for “Listen for “Hey Siri”” and “Allow Siri When Locked.”
- If you have an iPhone X or later, tap “Raise to Speak” and turn off the switch.
Disable Siri Completely
To disable Siri completely, follow these steps:
- Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap “Siri & Search.”
- Turn off the switch for “Siri & Dictation.”
Feature | How to Disable |
---|---|
Siri Suggestions in Search | Settings > General > Siri & Search > Suggestions in Search > Suggestions from Apps & Websites |
Siri Suggestions on Lock Screen | Settings > Notifications > Siri Suggestions > Show on Lock Screen |
Siri Suggestions on Home Screen | Settings > Siri & Search > Suggestions in Search > Suggestions on Home Screen |
“Hey Siri” and “Raise to Speak” | Settings > Siri & Search > Listen for “Hey Siri” and Allow Siri When Locked |
Disable Siri Suggestions When Sharing
If you’re uncomfortable with Siri suggesting contacts, apps, or actions when you share content, you can disable this feature:
- Go to **Settings**.
- Tap **Siri & Search**.
- Under **Suggestions**, tap **Sharing**.
- Uncheck the boxes for the specific apps or actions you want to disable suggestions for.
Disable Siri Suggestions for Specific Apps
To disable suggestions for specific apps, follow these steps:
- Open the app in question.
- Tap the **Share** button.
- Tap the **Siri Suggestions** icon (looks like a light bulb).
- Slide the toggle to the **Off** position.
Disable Siri Suggestions for Specific Actions
To disable suggestions for specific actions, such as creating a new message or email, follow these steps:
- Go to **Settings**.
- Tap **Siri & Search**.
- Under **Suggestions**, tap **Sharing**.
- Tap the specific action you want to disable suggestions for (e.g., “New Message” or “New Mail”).
- Uncheck the box next to “Suggested Contacts”.
Control Siri When You Use AirPods
You can adjust Siri controls for your AirPods or other Bluetooth earphones. You can turn it off altogether, or limit it to when you double-tap the AirPods.
For iPhone or iPad:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Bluetooth.
- Tap the āiā button next to your AirPods.
- Turn off Double-tap on AirPods to disable Siri.
For Mac:
- Open System Preferences.
- Click Bluetooth.
- Select your AirPods from the list of devices.
- Click the Options button below your AirPods’ name.
- Uncheck the box next to Double-tap on AirPods to disable Siri.
Disable HomePod & AirPods
To disable Siri on your HomePod or AirPods, you need to open the Home app on your iPhone or iPad. Once you have the Home app open, follow these steps:
- Tap the Home icon in the bottom left corner.
- Tap the Settings icon in the top right corner.
- Tap Siri.
- Toggle the switch next to Listen for “Hey Siri” to off.
Note: Disabling Siri on your HomePod or AirPods will also disable it on any other Apple devices that are connected to your iCloud account.
Disable Language & Dictation
If you’re experiencing issues with Siri’s dictation or language recognition, you can disable these features and re-enable them later. Here’s how:
Disable Siri & Dictation
- Go to Settings.
- Tap “Siri & Search”.
- Toggle off the switch next to “Siri & Dictation”.
Disable Dictation Only
- Go to Settings.
- Tap “General”.
- Tap “Keyboard”.
- Toggle off the switch next to “Dictation”.
Disable Specific Languages
- Go to Settings.
- Tap “Siri & Search”.
- Tap “Language & Region”.
- Tap the language you want to disable.
- Tap “Remove”.
Note that disabling language and dictation will also disable Siri’s ability to search the web, send messages, and perform other tasks. If you only need to disable specific languages, it’s recommended to use the steps outlined in the “Disable Specific Languages” section above.
How To Disable Siri
If you’re not a fan of Siri, the voice-activated assistant built into Apple devices, you can disable it. Here’s how:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap “Siri & Search”.
- Toggle off the switch next to “Listen for “Hey Siri””. This will prevent Siri from activating when you say “Hey Siri”.
- You can also toggle off the switch next to “Press Side Button for Siri” to prevent Siri from activating when you press and hold the side button.
Once you’ve disabled Siri, it will no longer be able to listen for your voice or activate when you say “Hey Siri”. You can still use Siri by pressing and holding the Home button (on older iPhones) or the side button (on newer iPhones), but it will not be able to activate automatically.