This article explains how to enable and access Siri on the iPhone 12, what you can do with the voice assistant, and how to use the intercom feature.

What to Know

  • There are two ways to access Siri on iPhone 12 models: long-pressing the right-side button or with a voice command, like “Hey Siri.“Siri no longer takes over your whole screen, instead working via a colorful icon and widget responses.You can use Siri to announce messages to other Apple devices like HomePods and AirPods via an intercom-like mode.

How to Enable Siri on iPhone 12

Before you take advantage of the new features that were released in Siri in iOS 14, you first need to ensure that Siri is enabled on your iPhone 12.

  • Open Settings.
  • Select Siri & Search.
  • The on the Siri & Search page, make sure the following three options are enabled:
  • Listen for “Hey Siri”: This lets you say the wake phrase “Hey Siri” to begin an interaction with the voice assistant.Press Side Button for Siri: This allows you to wake Siri by long-pressing the button on the right side of the phone. Allow Siri When Locked: This lets you use Siri without unlocking your phone.

How to Use Siri on iPhone 12

Once Siri is enabled on your iPhone 12, all you need to do is either say “Hey Siri” or long-press the button on the right side of the phone to access it.

Open Settings.

Select Siri & Search.

The on the Siri & Search page, make sure the following three options are enabled:

  • Listen for “Hey Siri”: This lets you say the wake phrase “Hey Siri” to begin an interaction with the voice assistant.Press Side Button for Siri: This allows you to wake Siri by long-pressing the button on the right side of the phone. Allow Siri When Locked: This lets you use Siri without unlocking your phone.

With the Siri update in iOS 14, the voice assistant no longer takes over your full screen. Instead, you see a colorful icon at the bottom of the screen to indicate that it’s listening to your question or request. Then, when responding, the responses appear as widgets and banners on a portion of your phone screen, but they still won’t takeover the whole display.

How to Use Siri as an Intercom

One additional feature you may find using when using Siri on the iPhone 12 is the intercom feature that’s available if there are multiple Apple devices in your home. The intercom feature is available across Apple smart home devices, iPhones, iPads, Apple Watch, AirPods, and even CarPlay.

To use the feature say, “Hey Siri, tell everyone [your message].” Siri will send the messages to connected devices, and recipients can respond by saying, “Hey Siri, replay [their response].

Messages that are sent via the intercom feature play on HomePod devices and AirPods, and appear as notifications on devices such as iPhone and iPad.

Improvements to Siri in iOS 14

The iOS 14 update to Siri (which is the version installed on iPhone 12 at the time of release) includes a number of updates to the voice assistant’s appearance and abilities. Beyond the appearance changes mentioned above, these features were also added or improved:

  • Better Answers: Siri manages more than 25 billion requests per month, according to Apple. To field all those requests, the virtual assistant had to learn a lot. In fact, Apple claims Siri has 20 times more facts than it did a few years ago. And the virtual assistant’s ability to use the web to provide answers is also improved.Smarter Suggestions: Among the improvements to Siri is a useful widget for Shortcut Suggestions that allows it to suggest actions that you do regularly. For example, when you get in the car Siri might suggest opening maps, or ordering a coffee from your favorite coffee house. And, you can have these suggestions on your Today view or on your home screen (or both).ETA Sharing: If you’re meeting another iPhone user and you want to give them an ETA, you can ask Siri to “Share my ETA.” Siri then sends your ETA, via Apple Maps, to that person. There are a couple of caveats, though. You have to have already started directions in Apple Maps, and your Apple ID email is used to share your estimated arrival time.Voice Messaging: Siri can record and send audio messages for you using iMessages or MMS text messages (which means you can even send audio files to Android users). Just say “Send an audio message to” and Siri records and sends the audio. You have the option to listen to it, cancel it, or rerecord it before you send it. You also have the option to do this through CarPlay.Better Translation: Siri’s translation services improved with iOS 14. There are now 65 language pairs and you don’t need to be connected to the internet for the translation to take place. What’s more, the translations are much smoother than in the past.Cycling Directions With Maps: If you need cycling directions, you can now ask Siri, “What are cycling directions to [name of place].” If Siri doesn’t understand or recognize the place you’ve requested directions for, the voice assistant offers suggestions and then redirects you to Apple Maps for the appropriate directions.Automated Reminders From Mail: In iOS 14, Siri gained the ability to recognize possible reminders from email and make suggestions. If you find you create a lot of reminders from email, this is a useful feature to keep you on your game.

Improvements to Siri in iOS 14.5

Apple’s iOS 14.5 update, released in April 2021, includes even more Siri enhancements. iPhone owners can now choose the kind of voice they want Siri to use when answering questions. There’s no longer a default voice. When someone first sets up their device, they can choose from among a more diverse, natural-sounding bunch of options. In iOS 15.4, those options also include one with a non-specific gender.

Additionally, Siri gains more Group FaceTime support in the 14.5 update. It’s now easier to initiate calls with multiple people or with any group in Messages. Siri can also announce incoming calls through Apple AirPods or compatible Beats headphones. iPhone users can even have Siri call an emergency contact if they need assistance and they’re unable to physically make the call themselves.

  • How do I use Siri on an Apple Watch?
  • To use Siri on an Apple Watch, press and hold the Digital Crown on the side of the Apple Watch. Alternatively, tap the screen and say, “Hey Siri,” or raise your wrist and say, “Hey Siri.”
  • How do I use the Siri voice on TikTok?
  • On Tik Tok, tap the plus (+) sign, then film or upload a video. Enter text > tap the text on the screen > select Text-to-Speech. Siri will say what you wrote.
  • How do I use Siri on a Mac?
  • To use Siri on a Mac, select the Apple icon > System Preferences > Siri. Select Enable Ask Siri. With Siri enabled on your Mac, the Siri icon displays in the upper-right corner of your screen. Click the icon, say your command, and wait for Siri to respond.

To use Siri on an Apple Watch, press and hold the Digital Crown on the side of the Apple Watch. Alternatively, tap the screen and say, “Hey Siri,” or raise your wrist and say, “Hey Siri.”

On Tik Tok, tap the plus (+) sign, then film or upload a video. Enter text > tap the text on the screen > select Text-to-Speech. Siri will say what you wrote.

To use Siri on a Mac, select the Apple icon > System Preferences > Siri. Select Enable Ask Siri. With Siri enabled on your Mac, the Siri icon displays in the upper-right corner of your screen. Click the icon, say your command, and wait for Siri to respond.

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