Siri And Apple Intelligence

What Is It, In Plain Words?

Siri is the voice assistant built into iPhones, iPads and Macs. Apple Intelligence is a newer set of AI features that adds writing help, summaries of long messages and a smarter Siri on newer devices.

There's nothing to download. If your device supports it, it's already there.

What You Can Use It For

• Hands-free help. "Hey Siri, call my daughter" or "Hey Siri, set a timer for 12 minutes."
• Tidying up writing. Select some text you've typed and use Writing Tools to make it friendlier or fix mistakes.
• Summaries. Apple Intelligence can show a short summary of a long email or a busy group chat.

Getting Started Step By Step

On An iPhone

1. Open Settings and tap Apple Intelligence & Siri (on older iPhones, just Siri).
2. Switch on Talk to Siri or Listen for "Hey Siri" and follow the steps to teach it your voice.
3. If your iPhone supports it, switch on Apple Intelligence on the same screen.
4. Say "Hey Siri" (or "Siri"), or press and hold the side button, then ask your question.

Things To Try Typing

Copy any of these, or change the details to suit you.

What It Costs

Checked 15 October 2026 on Apple's official Apple Intelligence page.

Privacy And Safety

• What it keeps. Apple says many requests are handled on your device. You can delete your Siri history in Settings, Apple Intelligence & Siri, Siri & Dictation History.
• If you lose your phone, anyone can try talking to Siri. Turn off Allow Siri When Locked in the same settings if that worries you.
• Never type passwords, PINs, bank or card numbers, your National Insurance number (UK) or Social Security number (USA).

Good Points And Watch-Outs

Good Points

• Already built in, with nothing to set up beyond switching it on.
• Great for people who find small buttons fiddly.
• Works with your iPhone's text size and VoiceOver settings.

Watch-Outs

• Apple Intelligence only works on newer devices.
• Siri can mishear names. Saying them clearly, or adding nicknames in Contacts, helps.
• It can be wrong and sound sure.

Similar Tools

• Alexa+: Amazon's chattier voice assistant for Echo speakers.
• Gemini: Google's assistant, handy if you use Gmail or an Android phone.
• ChatGPT: the best-known chatbot, with a simple app and voice mode.

Common Questions

Is Apple Intelligence free?

Yes. It's free on supported devices, which means iPhone 15 Pro or newer.

How do I switch on 'Hey Siri'?

Go to Settings, then Apple Intelligence & Siri (or Siri on older iPhones), and turn on the listening option.

Can I use Siri without my voice?

Yes. You can turn on Type to Siri in the Accessibility settings.