How to use Siri on an Apple Watch

2 min read · 6 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

On a watch, speaking is often quicker than tapping a small screen. Siri sets timers, starts workouts, sends messages, makes calls and answers questions, and on recent models many requests are handled on the watch itself.

These steps are for recent versions of watchOS. The pictures are simplified diagrams of the watch screen, not screenshots.

Step by step

1. Raise to speak

   Raise your wrist so the screen wakes, hold the watch near your mouth and say what you want, without saying Siri first.

   Done

2. Say Siri

   Say Siri or Hey Siri and then the request, for example Siri, set a timer for ten minutes.

   Done

3. Press and hold the Digital Crown

   Hold it until the listening indicator appears, then speak.

   Done

4. Choose which ways are active

   On the watch, open Settings and tap Siri. Raise to Speak, Press Digital Crown and the listening option for Siri or Hey Siri each have their own switch.

   Done

5. Hear the answer

   Siri answers aloud through the watch speaker, or through Bluetooth headphones or a speaker connected to the watch.

   Done

6. Type instead of speaking

   Open Settings, Accessibility, Siri and turn on Type to Siri. Under Siri Pause Time you can give yourself longer to finish speaking before Siri answers.

   Done

Good to know

If Raise to Speak does not react, the watch may not be hearing you. Hold it closer and check that the microphone is clean: Apple Watch speaker or microphone not working: 8 fixes to try.

Siri on the watch follows the Siri setting of the iPhone. To switch Siri off completely, use the Siri settings on the iPhone.

Things worth saying: start an outdoor walk, what is my heart rate, call a contact, set an alarm for 7.

On the phone: how to use Siri on an iPhone.

In short: Raise and speak, say Siri, or hold the Digital Crown. Switches under Settings, Siri on the watch. Type to Siri under Accessibility.