New to Iphone - Need to have text messages read over my headphones

[brcidd]

My Android died- My daughter bought me an iPhone Titanium 15 pro max- I am really used to being able to listen to incoming text messages being read to me as they come in, while my phone is stowed in my pocket and I have Bluetooth on listening to music with my headphones. My 7 yr-old Android would silence the music and read any text to me without touching the phone- really nice when both hands are working a zero-turn lawnmower!
But now I for the life of me can't get this Iphone to do the same thing! I have had the ATT rep on the phone and he says it can be done- But the steps aren't coinciding with what he tells me to do. So what gives? Did I "step down" by buying this product? Can it even be done. I google it and all is get is that the notifications can be read to me -- never do I see that the content of the text message can be read as it comes in. Please help this new Iphone nerd!

 

[joeblack007]

Hello. First make sure that you enable Siri in Settings>Siri and Search>Hey Siri. Then go to Notifications (in Settings) >Announce Notifications> enable this feature. Also make sure the the Headphones option is enabled there as well. Then just make sure that Messages are enabled in the list below (in the same menu). That should do it!

 

[brcidd]

I have tried that already, the problem is that there is no "Announce Notifications" option under the Notifications tab

Under notifications, I have:

Display as:

Count Stack List

Scheduled Summary
Show Previews
Screen Sharing

Then there is Siri Suggestions

Then there is Notification style ( for all my apps)

Is this a software issue? with the latest and greatest Iphone 15 Pro Max?

 

[joeblack007]

Ok. Are you sure that you have Siri setup? Your device model comes with iOS 17 so it definitely has this capability. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/have-siri-announce-calls-and-notifications-iph838fd6fd4/ios

 

[brcidd]

My Iphone comes with

Model: iphone 15 Pro Max
Version: iOS 17.1.1

I set SIRI up before anything else- and she works fine.

When I try to go to Settings

> Siri & Search > Announce Notifications, then turn on Announce Notifications
There is no "Announce Notifications" only "Announce Calls" which leads to "Always" "Headphones and Car" "Headphones Only" and "Never"

 

[joeblack007]

My Iphone comes with

Model: iphone 15 Pro Max
Version: iOS 17.1.1

I set SIRI up before anything else- and she works fine.

When I try to go to Settings

> Siri & Search > Announce Notifications, then turn on Announce Notifications
There is no "Announce Notifications" only "Announce Calls" which leads to "Always" "Headphones and Car" "Headphones Only" and "Never"

Do you have AirPods or some other compatible headphones paired to your phone? I have an iPhone 14 Pro running iOS 17.2. I also have AirPods paired to my phone and this feature definitely works with them. Here is the compatible listing of headphones that work with the feature.

 

[brcidd]

I have Mpow H7 Pro headphones and TWS M7 ear buds that I have been using - that I listen to/with Iheart just fine with this Iphone. So with an Iphone, I'll need to buy a special set of headphones and/or earbuds? And then the "Announce Notifications" will appear in Settings?

Another odd feature/non-feature is that with the old android, every alarm I set will show minutes/days until when alarm will ring when I save a given alarm-- it is a really nice confirmation that I have not fat-fingered the numbers or days etc- My Iphone just says saved- and I'm scared I'll miss getting up for work (various alarms throughout week)- so I'm setting an old alarm clock as well as a back-up. I guess this is all part of the learning curve when changing out phones..

 

[joeblack007]

I have Mpow H7 Pro headphones and TWS M7 ear buds that I have been using - that I listen to/with Iheart just fine with this Iphone. So with an Iphone, I'll need to buy a special set of headphones and/or earbuds? And then the "Announce Notifications" will appear in Settings?

Another odd feature/non-feature is that with the old android, every alarm I set will show minutes/days until when alarm will ring when I save a given alarm-- it is a really nice confirmation that I have not fat-fingered the numbers or days etc- My Iphone just says saved- and I'm scared I'll miss getting up for work (various alarms throughout week)- so I'm setting an old alarm clock as well as a back-up. I guess this is all part of the learning curve when changing out phones..

Unfortunately this feature will only be available with the devices from that list.

It sounds like you would benefit from some hands-on help from someone who is familiar with iPhones. By chance, do you live within driving distance of an Apple Retail Store (not a retailer) but an actual Apple Store? The stores have free workshops to help people learn about the devices and how to use the various features. Each store website has a schedule of the sessions that are available for sign up. This would be really helpful for anyone moving to the Apple ecosystem. You would have an opportunity to get some hands-on help and can ask them about your concerns. If you don’t have a store available, it would be beneficial to find someone who is familiar with iPhones to help you. These forums are a good place for help but for someone who is new to iPhones, a hands-on approach is best.