Want to hear your text messages without even looking at your phone? Siri can help you with that. Let’s jump right into how you can set up Siri to read your text messages out loud, so you never miss a beat, even when you’re busy with something else.
Step by Step Tutorial on How to Get Siri to Read Text Messages
Before we dive into the steps, let’s understand what we’ll achieve here. By the end of this tutorial, Siri will be able to read incoming text messages for you. That means you can keep your hands free while still staying on top of your messages.
Step 1: Make sure Siri is enabled on your iPhone
You need to have Siri turned on to use this feature.
If you’ve never used Siri before, you need to enable it first. Go to Settings, then to Siri & Search, and turn on ‘Listen for "Hey Siri"’ or ‘Press Side Button for Siri.’ This will activate Siri on your device.
Step 2: Adjust your message notifications settings
Your message notifications should be set to announce messages.
Navigate to Settings, then Notifications, and select Messages. Make sure ‘Announce Messages with Siri’ is turned on. This will allow Siri to read your messages out loud when they arrive.
Step 3: Choose which contacts Siri will read messages from
You can select if you want all messages read or only those from specific contacts.
Inside the same ‘Announce Messages with Siri’ setting, you’ll find an option called ‘Messages.’ Tap on it, and you can select if you want Siri to announce messages from Favorites, Recents, Contacts, or Everyone.
Step 4: Use Siri to read your messages
Simply say "Hey Siri, read my messages," and Siri will read your new messages.
Once you’ve set everything up, you can ask Siri to read your messages anytime. If you have an incoming message, Siri will automatically announce who it’s from and read it to you.
After completing these steps, Siri will read your text messages out loud whenever you get them, and you can also ask Siri to read them. This feature is incredibly useful when you’re driving, cooking, or doing any other tasks that require your hands and eyes.
Tips for Getting Siri to Read Text Messages
- Make sure your iPhone is updated to the latest iOS version for the best experience with Siri.
- You can reply to your messages using Siri by saying "Hey Siri, reply" after the message is read.
- Remember to speak clearly when giving Siri commands to avoid misunderstandings.
- If you have AirPods or compatible headphones, Siri can announce messages through them as well.
- Practice privacy by using this feature in appropriate settings, as others might overhear your messages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Siri read text messages from third-party apps?
Siri can read messages from apps that support SiriKit. However, its functionality might be limited compared to the built-in Messages app.
What do I do if Siri isn’t reading my messages?
Double-check that ‘Announce Messages with Siri’ is enabled in your settings. Also, ensure that Siri is set up correctly to respond to your voice or the side button.
Can I customize the way Siri reads my messages?
Siri doesn’t offer customization for reading messages, but you can change Siri’s voice and language to personalize your experience.
Will Siri announce messages when my phone is on silent?
Siri will still announce messages even if your phone is on silent, as long as you have ‘Announce Messages with Siri’ turned on.
Can Siri read messages on my Apple Watch?
Yes, if you have an Apple Watch, Siri can read your messages on it as well.
Summary
- Enable Siri on your iPhone.
- Set message notifications to announce messages.
- Choose contacts Siri will read messages from.
- Ask Siri to read your messages.
Conclusion
There you have it, a hands-free way to stay connected with your friends, family, and colleagues. By getting Siri to read your text messages, you can multitask effectively without missing out on important conversations. Whether you’re in the middle of a workout, cooking, or driving, this feature ensures that you’re always in the loop. Plus, it can be a great safety feature to reduce distractions while driving.
The convenience that Siri offers is just a testament to how much smartphones have evolved to fit into our busy lives. But remember, with great convenience comes great responsibility. Make sure to use this feature thoughtfully and maintain your privacy by being aware of your surroundings. Lastly, keep exploring Siri’s capabilities because, as an authority on the topic, I can assure you, there’s so much more Siri can do to make your life easier. So, go ahead, give it a try, and let Siri lend you a voice.