How to use Siri on an iPhone

2 min read · 4 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Short answer

Say Siri or Hey Siri and then your request. Or press and hold the side button and speak. On iPhones with Apple Intelligence you can also double-tap the bottom of the screen and type the request.

Siri sets timers, sends messages, makes calls, answers questions and changes settings by voice. There are three ways to start it, and each can be switched on or off.

Step by step

  1. Start Siri with your voice

    Say Siri or Hey Siri and continue straight away with what you need, for example: Siri, set a timer for ten minutes.

  2. Or use the side button

    Press and hold the side button, then speak. If nothing happens, open Settings, tap Siri (on newer versions Apple Intelligence & Siri) and switch on Press Side Button for Siri.

  3. Or type to Siri

    Double-tap the bottom edge of the screen and type the request. This needs an iPhone with Apple Intelligence, and Type to Siri must be switched on under Settings, Accessibility, Siri.

  4. Try a few requests

    Call a contact, send a message, ask for the weather tomorrow, or say: turn on Do Not Disturb.

Good to know

Siri understands better when the Siri language matches the language you speak. The language is set in the Siri settings.

If Siri does not react to your voice, check that the phone is not lying face down, and set up the voice trigger again in the Siri settings.

On iPhones without a Home button, the side button is the button on the right edge. On models with a Home button, press and hold the Home button.

Reading text aloud is a separate feature: how to make your iPhone read text aloud.

In short: Say Siri or Hey Siri, or hold the side button, or double-tap the bottom of the screen and type.

Sources
  • Apple Support: Use Siri on all your Apple devices

Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.