How to Fix “Hey Siri” Not Working on iPhone 16 After iOS 18 Update

Since updating my iPhone 16 to iOS 18, I’ve run into an unexpected issue with Siri—it simply won’t respond to voice commands anymore. Typically, I can activate Siri by saying either “Siri” or “Hey Siri,” but now, it’s as if Siri’s gone silent. The only way I can get Siri to respond is by pressing the side button, which takes away the convenience of hands-free interaction. This change has been frustrating, especially since I rely on Siri for quick tasks like setting reminders, sending texts, and even simple web searches when my hands are full.

Upon checking the Apple forums, I learned that a lot of other iPhone 16 users, especially those with iPhone 16 Pro and Max models, are experiencing this same issue. It’s not clear if this is a widespread software glitch or something specific to these models, but the iOS 18 update seems to have affected how Siri works on these devices.

Fortunately, I was able to fix this issue on my own device. In this article, I’ll explain exactly what I did and share the steps that helped me get Siri working again.

I previously wrote several articles on troubleshooting Siri. If this article doesn’t solve your issue, you may find additional help there. In those articles, I cover topics such as fixing Siri’s voice recognition issues and what to do when “Siri” and “Hey Siri” aren’t working.

Fix 1: Ensure Your iPhone is Running the Latest Version of iOS 18

Sometimes, Apple releases minor updates to fix bugs and improve functionality. If you’re not running the latest version of iOS 18, updating your iPhone could resolve issues with Siri.

To check for updates:

1. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
2. If an update is available, tap Download and Install.

After updating, try using “Hey Siri” to see if it’s now responsive.

Fix 2: Check if Voice Commands “Siri” or “Hey Siri” is Enabled

Before trying other steps, make sure “Hey Siri” is enabled on your iPhone. Sometimes, settings can change with updates, and re-enabling “Hey Siri” can refresh its functionality.

To check if “Hey Siri” is enabled:

1. Go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri.
2. Tap Talk to Siri and ensure Hey Siri is selected.
3. If it’s already selected, turn it off by selecting Off and then turn it back on by selecting Hey Siri again.

If the issue continues, try this additional step:

1. Go back to Settings > Siri > Talk to Siri.
2. Switch the option from “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to just “Hey Siri”.
3. A popup titled Enable Siri will appear—tap Enable to confirm.

After these steps, try saying “Hey Siri” again to see if it’s now responsive.

Furthermore, if the issue continues, you may wan to consider resetting Hey Siri.

Fix 3: Restart iPhone

Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve unexpected issues with your iPhone. Restarting can help refresh the system and clear any minor glitches that may be affecting Siri’s responsiveness.

To restart your iPhone 16:

1. Press and hold the side button along with either volume button until the power-off slider appears.
2. Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone.
3. Once the device is completely off, wait about 30 seconds, press and hold the side button again until you see the Apple logo.

After your iPhone restarts, try saying “Hey Siri” to see if it’s now working as expected.

Fix 4: Force Restart Your iPhone 16

If a regular restart didn’t solve the issue, a force restart might help. This can clear more persistent software glitches and may help resolve problems affecting Siri.

To force restart your iPhone 16:

1. Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
2. Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
3. Then, press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo, and then release it.

This will force your iPhone to restart. After it powers back on, test “Hey Siri” to see if it’s responding.

Fix 5: Set Siri to “Prefer Spoken Responses”

Changing Siri’s response settings can sometimes help resolve voice activation issues. By setting Siri to “Prefer Spoken Responses,” you can ensure that it’s more likely to respond verbally, which might resolve any recognition issues with “Hey Siri.”

To adjust Siri’s response settings:

1. Go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri.
2. Tap Siri Responses.
3. Choose Prefer Spoken Responses instead of Automatic.

After making this change, try using “Hey Siri” to see if it’s now responsive.

Fix 6: Enable Content & Privacy Restrictions Temporarily

Sometimes, toggling Content & Privacy Restrictions in Screen Time can help reset Siri’s functionality. Enabling this setting, rebooting your iPhone, and then disabling it can clear certain restrictions that may be interfering with Siri’s responsiveness.

To enable and then disable Content & Privacy Restrictions:

1. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
2. Toggle Content & Privacy Restrictions to On.
3. Reboot your iPhone by following the steps in Fix 1 or Fix 2 above.

Once your phone restarts, test “Siri” and “Hey Siri” commands to see if they now work as expected. You may then go back to Screen Time and turn Content & Privacy Restrictions off if you prefer.

These steps helped me resolve the issue, and hopefully, one of these fixes will get Siri working on your iPhone 16 as well. Siri’s voice activation feature is a big part of the iPhone experience, so it’s worth trying these methods to bring back that hands-free convenience.