HomeKit Need help with creating an automation to activate Siri when connected to the car's radio

[Meuti]

Gude,

is there anyone out there who could help me with creating the following automation…

I have a very old car with a very old radio. I'm using a small FM-Transmitter to which I connect my iPhone (13Pro Max) via bluetooth and listen to Apple Music over the car speakers. This works like a charme.

Now usually I have Siri turned off on my iPhone (because inside the house there are Homepods everywhere and I don't need it on the phone). What I would love to have tho is an automation that will activate "Hey Siri" on my iPhone every time it connects to the FM-Transmitter in the car (and ideally turn it off again once it disconnects).

I have already tried to create an automation myself, but the bluetooth transmitter is not listed under the bluetooth devices inside the shortcuts app (it is listed in the regular bluetooth settings, tho). Plus I have no idea how to find a shortcut to activate Hey Siri in the app.

I hope I was able to make myself clear (I'm German)

If all this is impossible or too complicated, maybe there is an easy way to create a shortcut to achieve what I'd like to have?

Thanks in advance for any help or ideas!

 

[gwhizkids]

Gude,

is there anyone out there who could help me with creating the following automation…

I have a very old car with a very old radio. I'm using a small FM-Transmitter to which I connect my iPhone (13Pro Max) via bluetooth and listen to Apple Music over the car speakers. This works like a charme.

Now usually I have Siri turned off on my iPhone (because inside the house there are Homepods everywhere and I don't need it on the phone). What I would love to have tho is an automation that will activate "Hey Siri" on my iPhone every time it connects to the FM-Transmitter in the car (and ideally turn it off again once it disconnects).

I have already tried to create an automation myself, but the bluetooth transmitter is not listed under the bluetooth devices inside the shortcuts app (it is listed in the regular bluetooth settings, tho). Plus I have no idea how to find a shortcut to activate Hey Siri in the app.

I hope I was able to make myself clear (I'm German)

If all this is impossible or too complicated, maybe there is an easy way to create a shortcut to achieve what I'd like to have?

Thanks in advance for any help or ideas!

Unfortunately, there is no way to toggle the “Hey Siri” feature on and off using either Shortcuts or Automations. Below is the complete list of device commands currently available in Shortcuts:

If there were such a command, you would trigger it by using the “When connecting to Bluetooth” automation trigger.

These are times when I wish we had something like Keyboard Maestro for the iPhone…

 

[Meuti]

That's a bummer! Thank you for pointing it out, tho. At least I can stop dreaming of an easy one click solution

 

[gwhizkids]

That's a bummer! Thank you for pointing it out, tho. At least I can stop dreaming of an easy one click solution

Post feedback asking for it. They add new stuff to that list yearly and sometimes during the year.

 

[Meuti]

Thanks! I will do that. We all need a little hope…

 

[gwhizkids]

Thanks! I will do that. We all need a little hope…

Also, keep checking here and on Reddit, etc… Sometimes people come up with clever workarounds for things like that.

 

[fatTribble]

I think what you’re trying to do would be a very clever solution. For what it’s worth, I use my Apple Watch and activate Siri with the button to change songs. It’s not a sophisticated solution but it works for me.

I’m trying to find a way to see a picture of your old car without going off topic so I’ll say “maybe it would help others find a solution for you if they could see the car you’re connecting to” 😇

P.S. Your English is superb!

 

[Meuti]

The Apple Watch is actually a good idea! I didn't think of that. It may not be the perfect solution, but it's definitely a nice workaround! Thank you.

The car isn't even that old, to be honest. It's a 2007 Berlingo (french) Van. I have just bought it recently and started to turn it into a "micro camper". The radio is connected to my iPhone by using an FM-Transmitter which works surprisingly well and even the sound is crisp. I will gladly attach some photos, so maybe someone has an idea how to automatically activate Siri from outside or from the back of the car or something

 

[fatTribble]

Ah very cool! You folks in Europe have the coolest cars that we can’t get here in the US. I’m glad to hear the Apple Watch will work for you. I’ve noticed that Siri is not very forgiving when asked to play a playlist. It has to be pretty exact. No complaints though. Glad you have the tiger to protect your car! Hehe

 

[Meuti]

I do love the car, even tho I have been spoiled by driving Audi my entire life. There are some (many) downsides to the Berlingo, but the bedroom in the back makes up for that and yes, the tiger is keeping things safe 😂 In fact I'm using the Apple Watch now to manually skip a song by just pushing the buttons. It's quicker than activating Siri.