Siri

You can change how quickly or when Siri responds, have Siri listen for atypical speech patterns, have Siri audibly share notifications, and more.

You can set how long Siri waits for you to finish speaking, change how fast Siri speaks, and type instead of speaking to Siri. You can also decide when Siri responds aloud or in text, and have Siri recognize a wider range of speech.

Here’s how to change Siri accessibility settings on iPad.

Tell Siri when and how to respond to requests

1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Tap Accessibility, tap Siri, and do any of the following:
   • Set how long Siri waits for you to finish speaking: Below Siri Pause Time, choose Default, Longer, or Longest.
   • Change how fast Siri speaks: Adjust the slider below Speaking Rate.
   • Decide when Siri responds aloud or in text: Choose an option below Spoken Responses. You can also change how Siri responds.
   • Use Siri even when iPad is covered or facing down: When you set up Siri, “Hey Siri” or “Siri” activates Siri only when your iPad faces up. To change this, turn on Always Listen for “Siri.” Learn how to use Siri.
   • Require “Siri” or “Hey Siri” in order to interrupt Siri: Turn on Require “Siri” for Interruptions. This can be useful if you use VoiceOver or Voice Control and don’t want VoiceOver speech or Voice Control commands to interrupt Siri.

If you’d like to change how you activate Siri, check out our guide, Turn on Siri, and our article, Customize how you activate Siri.

Type instead of speak to Siri

Depending on your iPad model, you may be able to type to Siri.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Tap Accessibility and tap Siri. Turn on Type to Siri.

   If you have an iPad model that supports Apple Intelligence,* this option may not be shown.

3. To make a request, activate Siri. Then interact with Siri using the keyboard and text field.

Have Siri recognize a wider range of speech patterns

If your primary language is set to English (U.S.), Siri can listen for atypical speech. That can help if you have an acquired or progressive condition that affects speech, like cerebral palsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or stroke.

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Siri, then turn on Listen for Atypical Speech.

iPad can also learn to perform an action when you say a word or make a sound you choose. Read our guide, Use Vocal Shortcuts, to learn more.

Announce calls and notifications for specific apps

On your iPad speaker, supported headphones, and MFi hearing devices, Siri can announce notifications from apps like Messages.

1. Open Settings, tap Accessibility and tap Siri. Then turn on Announce Notifications on Speaker.
2. Tap Announce Notifications and then for each app, choose whether to announce all notifications or only time-sensitive notifications.

*Apple Intelligence is available with Siri and device language set to Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, or Vietnamese. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. Some devices may not be available in all regions. Siri AI is available in beta in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27 and requires an Apple Intelligence–enabled device set to a supported language. Available in English to start. Siri AI will not be initially available in the EU on iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS. Certain Apple Intelligence features that rely on server-side models are subject to daily usage limits, including but not limited to Siri AI, Intelligent Photo Editing Tools, Image Playground, and AFM 3 Cloud models in Shortcuts. Daily limits may vary by feature, request complexity, system demand, system policies, and other factors. Expanded access to such features will be available for a fee in the future. Use of these features is subject to the Apple Intelligence Terms and Conditions.

See also

• Turn on and activate Siri on iPad
• Change Siri settings on iPad
• Use Voice Control to interact with iPad

With Apple Intelligence, Siri can tap into ChatGPT. After you set up the extension, Siri can use it to get the information you’re looking for. You can ask ChatGPT to compose a haiku, suggest ideas for a free afternoon, or summarize a document. You can even ask about a photo open in the Photos app or a document open in the Files app, and iPad may ask you to confirm before your request is sent.

Note: Apple Intelligence on iPadOS 27 or later is available on an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPad mini (A17 Pro) and iPad models with M1 or later. Apple Intelligence is not available in all languages or regions. Usage limits may apply.* The ChatGPT extension is available with Apple Intelligence in regions where the ChatGPT app and service are available. **

Siri: On your iPad, activate Siri, then ask a question. For example, say something like:

• “Hey Siri, ask ChatGPT to compose a haiku about dragons.”
• “Hey Siri, ask ChatGPT for some ideas of how to spend a free afternoon in Malibu if I don’t feel like hitting the beach.”
• “Ask ChatGPT what kind of recipes can I make with this?” with a photo of fruit open in the Photos app.
• “Hey Siri, ask ChatGPT to summarize this document for me,” with a document—like a PDF of a home inspection report—open in the Files app.

Quick tip: iPad may ask you to confirm before sending your request to ChatGPT. If you want to have Siri send a request without confirming, you can turn off Confirm Requests in the Settings app.

*Apple Intelligence is available with Siri and device language set to Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, or Vietnamese. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. Some devices may not be available in all regions. Siri AI is available in beta in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27 and requires an Apple Intelligence–enabled device set to a supported language. Available in English to start. Siri AI will not be initially available in the EU on iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS. Certain Apple Intelligence features that rely on server-side models are subject to daily usage limits, including but not limited to Siri AI, Intelligent Photo Editing Tools, Image Playground, and AFM 3 Cloud models in Shortcuts. Daily limits may vary by feature, request complexity, system demand, system policies, and other factors. Expanded access to such features will be available for a fee in the future. Use of these features is subject to the Apple Intelligence Terms and Conditions.

**ChatGPT uses generative models and outputs may vary. Check important information for accuracy. When using the ChatGPT extension, you choose what content to send to ChatGPT. Your request and attachments, as well as limited data associated with the request, such as current time zone, country, device type, language, and feature being used when making the request, are sent to ChatGPT to answer your request and enable ChatGPT to provide you accurate and relevant results.

See also

• Turn on and activate Siri on iPad
• Change Siri settings on iPad
• Get started with Siri AI on iPad

You can customize how you activate Siri, change Siri’s language and voice, change how Siri responds, and more in Siri settings on iPad.

You might say “Siri” or “Hey Siri,” or use the side button or type instead, and on supported models, you can say just “Siri” in some languages and regions. iPad can listen for “Siri,” “Hey Siri,” or both, depending on your choice. You can also tell Siri about yourself and retrain Siri with your voice.

For information about how to set up and use Siri, see Turn on and activate Siri.

Customize how you activate Siri

You can change how you activate Siri. For example, you can say “Siri” or “Hey Siri,” click the side button on your iPad, or type to Siri.

Note: The option to say just “Siri” is available on supported iPad models in some languages and regions.

1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Tap Siri.
3. Tap Requests and then do any of the following:
   • Turn on “Siri” or “Hey Siri”: Tap Siri or Hey Siri (or Hey Siri) and then follow the instructions to set it up.

     Depending on your choice, iPad listens for “Siri,” “Hey Siri,” or both to activate Siri. To retrain Siri with your voice, turn off “Siri” or “Hey Siri,” turn it back on again, then follow the onscreen instructions.

     Tip: To prevent iPad from responding to “Siri” or “Hey Siri” when you don’t want it to, place your iPad face down.

   • Turn off “Siri” or “Hey Siri”: Tap Off. iPad doesn’t listen for “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to activate Siri.
   • Activate Siri using the side button on your iPad: Turn on Press Side Button for Siri.
   • Type to Siri: Turn on Type to Siri. When Siri AI (Beta) is on, you can always type to Siri.

     Note: Siri AI is available in beta on iPadOS 27 or later on an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPad mini (A17 Pro) or iPad model with M1 or later set to a supported language. Available in English to start. Siri AI will not initially be available in the EU on iPadOS. Usage limits may apply.*

Change Siri’s language

1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Tap Siri.
3. Tap Language, then select a language from the list.

   The language you choose is used for Siri, Maps, turn-by-turn directions, and Listen to Page in Safari.

Change Siri’s voice

You can change the way Siri sounds by changing the variation and voice Siri uses.

1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Tap Siri.
3. Do any of the following:
   • Change the variation: Tap Voice and select an option below Variations.
   • Change the voice: Tap Voice, then select an option below Voices.
   • Use Siri Expressive Voices** (Siri AI only): Tap Voice and then adjust Voice, Pace, and Expressivity settings until they sound just right to you.

     Note: Pace and Expressivity adjustments are currently available for American and British voices.

Change how Siri responds

Siri can always respond silently or speak back when you provide voice input; it’s your choice. You can also have messages sent automatically without Siri asking you to confirm, and Siri can read your messages in a different language.

Note: The options you see vary with the version of Siri you’re using.

1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Tap Siri.
3. Tap Responses and then do any of the following:
   • Have Siri respond aloud: Choose Prefer Spoken Responses or Speak Back for Voice Input. If Siri AI is turned on, choose Spoken Response.
   • Have Siri respond silently: Choose Prefer Silent Responses or Always Silent. If Siri AI is turned on, choose Silent Response.
   • See what Siri says onscreen: Turn on Always Show Siri Captions.
   • See your request onscreen: Turn on Always Show Request.
   • Have Siri send messages without confirming: Turn on Automatically Send Messages.
   • Have Siri read messages in a different language: Tap Add Language and select a language from the list.

     Tip: After languages download, you can choose the variety and voice Siri uses to read messages. Tap the language below Read Messages, then select from the options below Variety and Voice.

Tell Siri about yourself

For a more personalized experience, you can give Siri information like your name, your home and work addresses, and even your relationships. Then you can say things like “Give me driving directions home” and “FaceTime Mom.” Siri learns about you from your contact card (called My Card) in the Contacts app.

1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Tap Siri.
3. Tap Your Information, then tap your name.
4. Go to the Contacts app to do any of the following:
   • Change or edit the information: Tap My Card at the top and tap Edit. Then edit your information. For more information, see Add or edit your contact info and photo.
   • Tell Siri how to pronounce your name: Tap My Card at the top and then tap Edit. Scroll down and then tap “add field.” Select a pronunciation name field, then type how to say your name. You can also add pronunciations for other contacts.

Siri can learn who other people are in relation to you. Try saying something like “Sarah Milos is my sister” or “Hey Siri, Ashley Kamin is my mom.”

Your personal information, which is encrypted and remains private, stays current on every device where you use the same Apple Account. When Siri learns about you on one device, your Siri experience gets better on your other devices, too. Turning off Siri in iCloud settings keeps Siri personalization from updating across your devices.

Change Visual Intelligence settings

If you have Apple Intelligence, Visual Intelligence can search for items similar to those around you, and you can choose to have highlighted objects sent automatically to third parties to provide results.

1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Tap Siri and then do any of the following:
   • Turn on Highlight to Search (Siri AI only). This setting automatically searches the web when you highlight content in screenshots.
   • Turn on Automatic Visual Look Up. This setting automatically identifies objects and places that appear in screenshots.

Customize apps Siri has access to

Give Siri access to an app or App Clips, and it can find information and suggest what you might want to do next, even before you ask. Get an invitation in Mail, for example, and you’re asked whether to add it to your calendar. Suggestions are on by default, though you can change which apps Siri has access to at any time.

Note: Siri and Apple Intelligence are designed to protect your privacy and keep you in control of your personal data by giving you control over what you share.

1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Tap Siri.
3. Do any of the following:
   • Allow Siri to learn how you use an app to make suggestions: Tap App Access and select an app from the list. Then turn on Learn from this App.
   • Choose how Suggestions appear: Tap App Access, select an app from the list, and then turn on Show on Home Screen, Suggest App, or Suggestion Notifications.

     Note: The options you see may be different depending on the app you select and which version of Siri you’re using.

   • Allow Siri to learn from App Clips to make suggestions: Tap App Clips and then turn on Learn From App Clips.
   • Allow Search and Shortcuts to show App Clips: Tap App Clips and turn on Show in Search or Suggest App Clips.

Customize where suggestions appear

Where suggestions appear is up to you. You might show them in an app, for example, but not on the Home Screen or as notifications.

1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Tap Siri.
3. Tap Suggestions and then do any of the following:
   • Allow suggested apps to appear in search: Turn on Suggest Apps Before Searching.
   • Allow suggestions to appear in notifications: Turn on Allow Notifications.
   • Allow suggestions to appear in App Library: Turn on Show in App Library.
   • Allow suggestions to appear when sharing: Turn on Show When Sharing.
   • Allow suggestions to appear when you might want to listen to music: Turn on Show Listening Suggestions.

To change Siri accessibility settings, check out our guide, Change Siri accessibility settings.

*Apple Intelligence is available with Siri and device language set to Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, or Vietnamese. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. Some devices may not be available in all regions. Siri AI is available in beta in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27 and requires an Apple Intelligence–enabled device set to a supported language. Available in English to start. Siri AI will not be initially available in the EU on iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS. Certain Apple Intelligence features that rely on server-side models are subject to daily usage limits, including but not limited to Siri AI, Intelligent Photo Editing Tools, Image Playground, and AFM 3 Cloud models in Shortcuts. Daily limits may vary by feature, request complexity, system demand, system policies, and other factors. Expanded access to such features will be available for a fee in the future. Use of these features is subject to the Apple Intelligence Terms and Conditions.

**Siri Expressive Voices are available with Siri AI on iPad models with M4 or later with at least 12GB of unified memory.

See also

• Turn on and activate Siri on iPad
• Change Siri app settings
• Turn on ChatGPT
• Change Siri accessibility settings on iPad

Siri is an intelligent assistant that’s built into your iPad to help you get answers, find what you need, and get things done.

Before you can use Siri, you need to turn it on. To ask a question or make a request, you then activate it with your voice or the buttons on iPad, and Siri needs an internet connection. There’s also Siri AI (Beta), the new version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence, to try.

Note: Siri is designed to protect your information and to let you choose what you share.

Turn on Siri

Siri needs to be turned on before you can use it. If you didn’t set up Siri when you first set up your iPad, do the following:

1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Tap Siri.
3. Tap Turn On Siri and then follow the onscreen instructions.

   Tip: Tap Try Siri AI (Beta)* to get Siri AI, the new version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence on iPadOS 27 or later. See Get started with Siri AI.

Activate Siri and make requests

After you turn on Siri, activate it before you ask a question or make a request.

Note: You must be connected to the internet to use Siri.

1. Activate Siri by doing one of the following:
   • Use your voice: Say “Siri” or “Hey Siri.” This option is only available if “Siri” or “Hey Siri” is turned on. See Customize how you activate Siri.
   • Use the buttons on iPad: Press and hold the top button on an iPad with Touch ID, or press and hold the Home button on an iPad with a Home button.

     When you activate Siri with a button and iPad is muted, Siri responds silently. When you activate Siri with your voice, Siri responds out loud. To change this behavior, see Change how Siri responds.

   • Use headphones connected to your iPad: Press and hold the center or call button on your EarPods.

   If you have Siri AI, you can also activate Siri by doing one of the following:

   • Use the Dynamic Island on iPad: Swipe down from the top of the screen.
   • Use the shortcut menus on iPad: Touch and hold something on your iPad screen—a file or a photo, for example—then choose Ask Siri or the Ask Siri button from the pop-up menu.
   • Take a screenshot on iPad: Quickly press and release the side button and the volume up button at the same time to take a screenshot. Tap the Ask button to ask a question, the Search button to search, or an action that appears in the middle. See Siri AI: Learn about what’s on your iPad screen.
2. Ask Siri a question or make a request.

   See Get started with Siri AI and Use Siri to find information and get things done for ideas on how you can use Siri.

Turn off Siri

1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Tap Siri.
3. Tap Turn Off Siri at the bottom and then tap Turn Off Siri.
4. If you have Siri AI, but want to use the previous version of Siri, tap Turn On Siri. Then select Use Siri Classic.

*Apple Intelligence is available with Siri and device language set to Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, or Vietnamese. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. Some devices may not be available in all regions. Siri AI is available in beta in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27 and requires an Apple Intelligence–enabled device set to a supported language. Available in English to start. Siri AI will not be initially available in the EU on iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS. Certain Apple Intelligence features that rely on server-side models are subject to daily usage limits, including but not limited to Siri AI, Intelligent Photo Editing Tools, Image Playground, and AFM 3 Cloud models in Shortcuts. Daily limits may vary by feature, request complexity, system demand, system policies, and other factors. Expanded access to such features will be available for a fee in the future. Use of these features is subject to the Apple Intelligence Terms and Conditions.

See also

• Change Siri settings on iPad
• Change Siri accessibility settings on iPad

Siri is an intelligent assistant that’s built into your iPad. Once you have Siri turned on in the Settings app, you can start using Siri to find the information you need and get things done—hands free. The more you use Siri, the better it knows what you need.

Siri AI (Beta) gives Siri entirely new capabilities, like personal context understanding, onscreen awareness, and broad world knowledge, which helps you find what you need, right when you need it, and get more done. And you’re free to get started with Siri AI anytime.

Use Siri to call, text, and email

Siri: On your iPad, activate Siri, then see the ideas below for requests you can make.

• Make and receive Phone and FaceTime calls
  • “FaceTime mom.”
  • “Call Ashley Rico.”
  • “Siri, hang up.”
• Read and write text messages and emails
  • “Read my messages” or “Read me my emails.”
  • “Message Mom that I’ll be late” or “Send an email to Ashley.”

Quick tip: While you’re wearing supported AirPods, you can respond to Siri announcements, like incoming calls and notifications, by nodding or shaking your head, so there’s no need to speak out loud.

Play music and podcasts with Siri

If you subscribe to Apple Music, Siri can play anything from the Apple Music catalog. It can also play your favorite podcast, follow shows, and control playback.

Siri: On your iPad, activate Siri, then see the ideas below for requests you can make.

• Play music
  • “Play ‘Choosin’ Texas’ by Ella Langley.”
  • “Play some ’80s music.”
  • “Play some mellow music.”
• Tell Siri what you like and don’t like
  • “Favorite this song.”
  • “I don’t like this song.”
  • “Play more music like this.”
• Find out what’s playing
  • “What’s playing?”
  • “Who sings this song?”
  • “What album is this on?”
• Add music to your library or playlist
  • “Add this to my library.”
  • “Add this song to my Workout playlist.”
  • “Add this album to my Sunday Morning playlist.”
• Play and follow podcasts
  • “Play the latest episode of ‘The Rest is History’ podcast.”
  • “Play the next episode.”
  • “Follow ‘The Rest is History’ podcast.”
• Control playback
  • “Skip ahead three minutes.”
  • “Play this twice as fast.”
  • “Pause music” or “Resume music.”

Quick tip: Control Center can identify a song playing on or near your iPad, too. First add the Music Recognition control to Control Center (see our guide, Customize controls). Then, while a song is playing, open Control Center and tap the Recognize Music button.

Use Siri to get directions

When Location Services is turned on, Siri can also give you directions or information about places nearby.

Siri: On your iPad, activate Siri, then see the ideas below for requests you can make.

• Get directions
  • “Give me walking directions home.”
  • “Give me transit directions to the Ferry Building.”
• Find places nearby
  • “Find coffee near me.”
  • “Find a gas station” or “Find a charging station.”

Quick tip: When you use Siri or search in Maps, you can ask for directions to your home, your work, or your school address. See our guide, Set your home, work, or school address.

Use Siri to find information

You can use Siri to find information and get quick answers, like who won last night’s game or how to translate or spell a word.

Siri: On your iPad, activate Siri, then see the ideas below for requests you can make.

• Get information from the web
  • “What causes a rainbow?”
  • “Who made the first rocket that went to space?”
• Spell or translate
  • “How do you spell [X]?”
  • “How do you say ‘Thank You’ in Mandarin?”
• Ask questions about time and place
  • “What time is it?”
  • “What time is it in London?”
• Check the weather
  • “Hey Siri, what’s the weather for today?”
  • “What’s the weather like in San Francisco?”
• Get sports updates
  • “What was the score of last night’s game?”
  • “How are the San Francisco Giants doing this season?”
• Get calculations and conversions
  • “What’s 18 percent of 225?”
  • “How many centimeters are in an inch?”
• Get information about your contacts
  • “When is my uncle’s birthday?”
  • “Show me Jane’s information.”
• Get information about your Apple products
  • “Tell me how to connect my AirPods to iPad?”
  • “How do I take a screenshot?”

  Note: Available on supported iPad models with Apple Intelligence. Apple Intelligence on iPadOS 27 is not available in all languages or regions.*

Use Siri to get things done

Siri also lets you quickly get things done and take action within your apps, all hands free.

Siri: On your iPad, activate Siri, then see the ideas below for requests you can make.

• Add a reminder
  • “Add artichokes to my groceries list.”
  • “Remind me to pack an umbrella when I get home.”
• Set an alarm or timer
  • “Set an alarm for 7 a.m.”
  • “Set the timer for 3 minutes.”
• Create or change calendar events
  • “Set up a meeting with Gordon at 9.”
  • “What’s on my calendar for Friday?”
• Adjust Accessibility settings on iPad
  • “Speak screen.”
  • “Turn on [setting]”—for example Voice Control, VoiceOver, Assistive Touch, or Guided Access
• Open apps and settings on iPad
  • “Open Photos.”
  • “Open Accessibility settings.”
  • “Open Calculator.”
• Adjust iPad settings
  • “Siri, turn on Dark Mode”
  • “Turn up the volume.”
  • “Turn on the Work Focus.”

Use Siri to control your smart home accessories

To control smart home accessories with Siri, start by finding accessories that work with Apple Home.

Siri: On your iPad, activate Siri, then see the ideas below for requests you can make.

• Turn smart home accessories on and off
  • “Turn on the lights.”
  • “Turn on the security system.”
• Adjust a smart home accessory
  • “Set the temperature to 68 degrees.”
  • “Turn down the kitchen lights.”
  • “Set my reading scene.”
• Control your smart home accessories remotely

  If you have a home hub set up, you can ask Siri to control your home while you’re away.

  • “Turn off the lights in the Chicago house.”
  • “Lock the front door.”
  • “Close the garage.”
• Play and control audio in your home
  • “Play a song I like in the kitchen.”
  • “Stop playing music everywhere.”
  • “Set the dining room volume to 10 percent.”

Siri is designed to protect your information, and you can choose what you share.

*Apple Intelligence is available with Siri and device language set to Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, or Vietnamese. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. Some devices may not be available in all regions. Siri AI is available in beta in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27 and requires an Apple Intelligence–enabled device set to a supported language. Available in English to start. Siri AI will not be initially available in the EU on iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS. Certain Apple Intelligence features that rely on server-side models are subject to daily usage limits, including but not limited to Siri AI, Intelligent Photo Editing Tools, Image Playground, and AFM 3 Cloud models in Shortcuts. Daily limits may vary by feature, request complexity, system demand, system policies, and other factors. Expanded access to such features will be available for a fee in the future. Use of these features is subject to the Apple Intelligence Terms and Conditions.

See also

• Turn on and activate Siri on iPad
• Change Siri settings on iPad