How To Enable Type To Siri In IOS - MacRumors

Skip to ContentOpen MenuMacRumors
  • Front Page
  • Roundups Show Roundups
    • AirPods 4
    • AirPods Max
    • AirPods Pro 3
    • AirTag
    • Apple Deals
    • Apple Pay
    • Apple Pro Display XDR
    • Apple Studio Display
    • Apple TV
    • Apple Vision Pro
    • Apple Watch 11
    • Apple Watch SE 3
    • Apple Watch Ultra 3
    • CarPlay
    • HomePod
    • HomePod mini
    • iMac
    • iOS 26
    • iPad
    • iPad Air
    • iPad mini
    • iPad Pro
    • iPadOS 26
    • iPhone 16
    • iPhone 16e
    • iPhone 17
    • iPhone 17 Pro
    • iPhone 18
    • iPhone Air
    • Mac mini
    • Mac Pro
    • Mac Studio
    • MacBook Air
    • MacBook Pro
    • macOS Tahoe
    • watchOS 26
  • Guides
  • How Tos
  • Reviews
  • Buyer's Guide
  • Forums
PodcastInstagramFacebookTwitterMastodonYouTubeNotificationsRSSNewsletterVisit ForumsSearchClose SearchOpen Sidebar
  • Siri Guide
  • FaceTime with Siri
  • Delete Siri History
  • Use Siri with PowerBeats Pro
  • Edit Siri Requests
  • 'Hey Siri' Hands Free
  • Useful Mac Siri Commands
  • Siri on Airpods
  • Siri on HomePod
  • Turn off Siri
  • Change Siri's Voice
  • Siri Daily News Digest
  • Front Page
  • Roundups
  • Guides
  • How Tos
  • Reviews
  • Buyer's Guide
  • Upcoming Products
  • Forums
  • Archives
  • Tips / Contact Us
  • PodcastInstagramFacebookTwitterMastodonYouTubeNotificationsRSSNewsletter
How to Enable Type to Siri in iOSSaturday February 23, 2019 10:29 PM PST by Juli Clover

One of the common complaints about Siri is the vocal component -- speaking to ‌Siri‌ must be done verbally, which can be embarrassing and inconvenient in social situations. Apple hasn't provided a clear cut solution like an integrated ‌Siri‌ and Spotlight search feature, but iOS has had a Type to ‌Siri‌ feature since iOS 11.

Type to ‌Siri‌ is a function designed for those who are unable to speak, but it can be enabled by anyone who would like to try typing to ‌Siri‌ instead of speaking to ‌Siri‌.

play

Enabling Type to Siri

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Choose "General."
  3. Select the "Accessibility" section.
  4. Scroll down and "‌Siri‌."typetosiri1
  5. Toggle on "Type to ‌Siri‌."

With Type to ‌Siri‌ enabled, when the Home button (or Side button if your device doesn't have a Home button) is pressed to activate ‌Siri‌, it brings up the keyboard and an option to type a command to ‌Siri‌. Typed ‌Siri‌ commands work just like spoken ‌Siri‌ commands - ‌Siri‌ will respond to questions like "What's the weather?" or "What movies are playing nearby?"

typetosiri2When you have Type to ‌Siri‌ turned on, it's an all or nothing setting. All commands must be typed if you access ‌Siri‌ through the Home button or Side button. If you say "Hey ‌Siri‌," though, ‌Siri‌ will respond to spoken questions as normal, so you can use spoken commands alongside typed commands in this way. ‌Siri‌ will also respond to voice commands when the AirPods are connected and the personal assistant is activated, either via a tap on the AirPods or by saying "Hey ‌Siri‌" handsfree on AirPods 2.

Tag: Siri GuideRelated Forum: iOS 1213 comments

Get weekly top MacRumors stories in your inbox.

Top Rated Comments

bob122989 Avatarbob122989110 months ago“Siri, turn WiFi off, for real.”Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)cariacou Avatarcariacou110 months agoThe all or nothing is the big killer here.I'd love type to siri 60% of the time, but they Hey Siri is not reliable enough for the rest. Bummer...It seems that it would be really easy to bring both up at the same time: Keyboard + Vocal SiriScore: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)jclo Avatarjclo110 months ago
That’s perfect and very handy for deaf user like me.Say if I have iPhone X, how will that work since there’s no home button? Was curious.
You'll bring up Siri from the side button.Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)supertomtom Avatarsupertomtom110 months agoEven though it’s an all or nothing setting, you can still use “Hey Siri” to activate Siri the normal way.Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)Read All Comments

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by Joe RossignolApple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie. "Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...Read Full Article • 83 commentswwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by Joe RossignolApple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...Read Full Article Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by Juli CloverIn the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...Read Full Article • 155 commentsapple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says These 7 U.S. States Plan to Offer iPhone Driver's Licenses

Monday February 9, 2026 6:24 am PST by Joe RossignolIn select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...Read Full Article • 108 comments14 inch MacBook Pro Keyboard

New MacBook Pros Could Now Arrive in March

Sunday February 8, 2026 6:02 am PST by Hartley CharltonNew MacBook Pro models with the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips could arrive as soon as Monday, March 2, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In today's "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that the release of new MacBook Pro models is tied to the release of macOS Tahoe 26.3. The launch is said to be slated for as early as the week of March 2. He added that the M4 Pro and M4 Max models on sale today...Read Full Article • 130 comments

Next Article

apple watch heart month 2026Heart Month Apple Watch Activity Challenge Launching on Valentine's Day

Guides

ios 26 sidebar squareiOS 26 Features

Our comprehensive guide highlighting every major new addition in iOS 26, plus how-tos that walk you through using the new features.

ios 26 2 sidebar squareiOS 26.2 Features

Reminder alarms, more Liquid Glass tweaks, AirDrop improvements, and more.

macos tahoe 26 square sidebar50 macOS Tahoe Features

New features and lesser-known changes to check out if you're upgrading.

iphone 17 air pro vs square sidebariPhone 17 vs iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone Air

Apple's four new iPhones feature more differences between the latest models than ever before, so which one should you buy?

• Apple Intelligence Guide • Image Playground Guide • iPhone Mirroring Not Working? • 21 Time-Saving iPhone Tips • 14 macOS Tips to Make Your Life Easier • One AirPod Not Working? See more guides

Upcoming

iphone 17e square sidebariPhone 17e Early 2026

A19 chip, MagSafe, and perhaps a Dynamic Island instead of a display notch.

apple tv squareApple TV Early 2026?

Upgrade to A17 or newer chip with Apple Intelligence support, plus Apple's new N1 wireless networking chip.

apple home hub square sidebarSmart Home Hub Early 2026?

Squarish 7-inch screen for controlling smart home products, listening to music, making video calls, and more.

homepod mini sidebar squareHomePod mini Early 2026?

Faster chips and new colors expected.

• Low-Cost MacBook • MacBook Air • MacBook Pro • Studio Display • Mac mini • Mac Studio • iPhone 18 Pro • Foldable iPhone See full product calendar

Other Stories

apple edge light macos tahoe 26 2Use Edge Light for Better Video Calls in macOS

4 hours ago by Tim Hardwick

iOS 26 Phone App FeaturesGet Your iPhone to Ask Callers Who They Are Before You Answer

4 hours ago by Tim Hardwick

Apple CarPlay iOS 26 IconsAll-New Apple CarPlay Feature Leaked

2 days ago by Joe Rossignol

wwdc sans text featureApple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

5 days ago by Joe Rossignol

iPhone 16No iPhone 18 This Year, New Report Says

5 days ago by Joe Rossignol

Tag » How To Talk To Siri On Iphone 12