Apple has released an exciting update to iOS 18. With that, you can now rename Siri on your iPhone. Although there’s no direct setting for this, you can still modify it through the Vocal Shortcuts settings on your iPhone. This new feature will be available for iPhones running iOS 18 starting September 16, 2024. This article explains the procedure to rename Siri on an iPhone.
How to Change Siri Name on iPhone
1. Access Settings: Unlock your iPhone and open the Settings app.
2. Navigate to Vocal Shortcuts: Tap Accessibility, then select Vocal Shortcuts.
3. Set Up Custom Name: Choose Set Up Vocal Shortcuts and pick Siri from the System Settings.
Note – If Vocal Shortcuts are already configured, go to the settings, tap Add Action, and select Siri.
4. Enter New Name: Type in the new name you would like for Siri, such as “Rings” or “Alexa.” Click Go to proceed.
5. Train Siri: Repeat the new name three times to help Siri recognize it. Then, hit Continue to complete the setup.
You can now activate Siri by saying either “Siri” or your new custom name.
Necessity to Think Twice Before Renaming Siri
Renaming Siri is a fun way to personalize your device. Still, it doesn’t provide any extra functionality. Using the default “Hey Siri” is the quickest method to activate Siri compared to using a custom phrase. Customizing Siri’s name is merely an additional setting and doesn’t fundamentally change how Siri operates.
When you use the default activation phrase, such as “Hey Siri, what’s the time?” Siri responds immediately. However, with a custom phrase, you must say the new name and pause briefly for Siri to recognize it and start listening. For instance, if you set the name to “My Universe,” you’ll need to say “My Universe,” pause, and wait for Siri to activate. If it starts listening, you can say a voice command.
How to Revert to the Default Siri Name on iPhone
1. Open Settings: Go to Accessibility and tap Vocal Shortcuts.
2. Remove Custom Name: Select Siri from the Add Action section and tap the minus (–) icon next to the custom name you’ve set.
This will remove the custom phrase and revert to using “Hey Siri.”
Exploring Other Vocal Shortcuts
Rather than renaming Siri, consider using Vocal Shortcuts in iOS 18 for added functionality. You can set custom voice commands for tasks like taking a photo, capturing a screenshot, or opening the control center. For instance, a custom phrase like “Say Cheese” can be assigned to snap a photo.
Be aware that some features may not work perfectly with the iOS 18 beta version. It is better to wait for the official release of iOS 18, which is scheduled for September 16, 2024.