iOS 18.1: How to Type to Siri

[MacRumors]

With the introduction of Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.1, communicating with Siri has become more flexible since you can easily type your requests instead of speaking them. It's a subtle but powerful change that's perfect for those moments when you need to be quiet or discreet.

Enabling Type to Siri is straightforward. Head to Settings -> Apple Intelligence & Siri, tap Talk & Type to Siri, and make sure the Type to Siri toggle is switched on. Once enabled, you can summon the typing interface with a quick double-tap at the bottom edge of your iPhone's display.

The typing interface includes suggested requests to help you get started, and you can type virtually anything you'd normally say to Siri. Simply enter your query and tap the up arrow to submit. Siri will respond just as it would to a voice command, maintaining context between messages for natural back-and-forth conversations.

• Does My Device Support Apple Intelligence?

This text-based interaction is particularly useful during meetings or in quiet spaces, when you're in a noisy environment where Siri might struggle to hear you, or if you prefer typing to speaking for more precise queries. It can also help when you want to maintain privacy in public places.

The feature integrates seamlessly with Siri's expanded knowledge base in iOS 18.1, including Apple product support and settings navigation. You can even use natural language to find settings when you're not sure of their exact names.

Whether you're a longtime Siri user looking for more flexibility or someone who's been hesitant to use voice commands in public, Type to Siri offers a handy alternative for interacting with Apple's virtual assistant.

Article Link: iOS 18.1: How to Type to Siri

 

[johnalan]

Seems like it doesn’t work in the EU

 

[ehpedro]

Seems like it doesn’t work in the EU

Ditto, no option in UK

 

[CausticSoda]

My desire to type to Siri is about as much as my desire to talk to it: absolutely zero. What a load of rubbish - still.

 

[DunedinD]

Ditto, no option in UK

The feature isn’t geolocked but you have to set your device to US English to access it. Expect it to be available without that step when Apple Intelligence properly launches here in December.

 

[zhtfreak]

love stuff like this when an accessibility feature goes mainstream.

 

[hagar]

Interesting to see if this makes Siri finally usable.

 

[xxFoxtail]

love stuff like this when an accessibility feature goes mainstream.

Exactly why I don’t see why this couldn’t come to non-AI iPhones. It’s unfortunately either one of the other on my 14 Pro.

 

[SoldOnApple]

I find I have to tell Siri to put in a 59 minute timer because she doesn't understand how I say sixty or one hour. And I have to pronounce "minute" as "manute" or she won't get that either. She's getting better though.

 

[Chazak]

I think most of the innovations coming from Apple Intelligence are great additions. However, none of them are enough to make me go out and replace my 12 Pro Max before I planned to which is with the release of the 17 series.

 

[matsan]

I think most of the innovations coming from Apple Intelligence are great additions. However, none of them are enough to make me go out and replace my 12 Pro Max before I planned to which is with the release of the 17 series.

I've heard that the 18 will be even better so I think you should wait.
(iPhone 13 mini user so I guess this will be my last iPhone)

 

[FellaMeLad]

Hmmm... what am I missing here? I'm in the UK on an iPhone 14 Pro (so without Apple Intelligence support) but I've always been able to "Type to Siri" when I press and hold the power button. How is this different?

 

[Moukee]

Seems like it doesn’t work in the EU

Settings > Accessibility > Siri > "Type to Siri".

 

[uiterlix]

Talking to siri is a low investment in a rubbish answer. Typing to siri is a moderate level investment to get a rubbish answer. Not worth it.

 

[johnsawyercjs]

for those moments when you need to be quiet or discrete.

Or discreet, as the case may be

 

[Jay-Jacob]

I am Deaf so always have that on from accessibility settings. New setting doesn’t appear on my iPhone and my language is set to USA since live captions beta only available USA language not UK.

 

[PsykX]

Exactly why I don’t see why this couldn’t come to non-AI iPhones. It’s unfortunately either one of the other on my 14 Pro.

They make the new Type to Siri design part of the Apple Intelligence experience, so even a basic feature like that, which could have existed since the very first release of Siri on the iPhone 4S in 2011, you need an iPhone 15 Pro or a 16 model.

Oh and not only do you need a recent iPhone to do that, you need to be in English US to enable Apple Intelligence as well in iOS 18.1 and in English (from anywhere) in the betas of iOS 18.2. So non-english speakers don't even have such a basic option yet.

This particular option, being part of Apple Intelligence, is really a mess.

 

[johnsawyercjs]

I find I have to tell Siri to put in a 59 minute timer because she doesn't understand how I say sixty or one hour.

Maybe Siri thinks you're telling her she's sexy and she doesn't want to lead you on

 

[Skyscraperfan]

I have a general problem with talking to machines. It feels like throwing pearls in front of pigs. I only want to use my voice communicating with a real person. Or at least some living organism like a hamster. That's why I still type my Google searches although talking is so much faster.

 

[The Game 161]

Ditto, no option in UK

Works changing region to US

 

[nt5672]

The things I say to machines are not something Siri, or anyone else wants to hear!

 

[JayKay514]

Or discreet, as the case may be

I personally spend a lot of time as separate pieces of myself, discretely

 

[kch50428]

There’s a button you can add to “Control Center” for ‘Type to Siri’…

 

[ralph_sws]

Opinion about apple intelligence .... 😂😂😂

 

[pdaholic]

I think if I’m going to take the time to type something out, it will be in a web browser, not Siri. Much better at presenting a response.