How to manage ‘Hey Siri’ with multiple Apple devices

When you say “Hey Siri” do multiple Apple devices reply? If so, you need to know how a device responds to the command when there’s more than one gadget nearby that supports “Hey Siri.”

When you say “Hey Siri” near multiple devices that support “Hey Siri,” the devices quickly communicate to each other using Bluetooth to determine which one should respond to the request. The device that heard you best or was recently raised should respond.

The HomePod responds to most Siri requests, even if there are other devices that support “Hey Siri” nearby. If you want to use Siri on a specific device, raise to wake that device or press the button to use Siri, then make your request. 

Hey Siri” uses Bluetooth to communicate with nearby devices, so make sure that you turn on Bluetooth on all of your devices. If you turn off Bluetooth or if a device isn’t in Bluetooth range of the other devices, multiple devices might respond to your request.

If the wrong device is answering the command,make sure that all of your devices are updated to the latest software. If some of your devices are using older software, then multiple devices might respond to “Hey Siri.”

If you have an iPhone or iPad, you can place it face down so it doesn’t respond to “Hey Siri.” 

If you want a device other than HomePod to respond, raise to wake that device, then say “Hey Siri.” Or press the button on that device to use Siri.

On the HomePod, if you say “Hey Siri, turn off Hey Siri” or turn off Listen for “Hey Siri” in HomePod settings in the Home app, then HomePod won’t respond to “Hey Siri.” To turn “Hey Siri” back on, touch and hold the top of HomePod, then say “Turn on Hey Siri.”

On the device that you want to use Siri, go to Settings and check that “Hey Siri” is turned on.

(This how-to is based on my experiences and info on Apple’s support pages — where the images sometimes come from.)

---

Like this article? Consider supporting Apple World Today with a $5 monthly Team AWT membership.