Tech

iOS 18’s Vocal Shortcuts Let You Rename Siri

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Reddit users have unearthed an exciting new application for iOS 18’s Vocal Shortcuts feature, as reported by MacRumors. While primarily designed as an accessibility tool, this feature allows users to rename Siri, providing a fun and personalized touch to their virtual assistant.

How to Rename Siri Using Vocal Shortcuts

Renaming Siri is a straightforward process. Follow these steps to set it up:

  1. Access Settings: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Navigate to Accessibility: Scroll down and select Accessibility.
  3. Find Vocal Shortcuts: Scroll until you find Vocal Shortcuts and select it.
  4. Set Up Vocal Shortcuts: Tap on “Set Up Vocal Shortcuts” and choose Siri.
  5. Enter New Name: Enter the new name you want to give Siri, such as Jarvis, HAL 9000, or even Alexa.
  6. Teach Your iPhone: Say the new name three times to teach your iPhone to recognize it.

After completing these steps, your iPhone will respond to the new trigger word, activating Siri with the name you’ve chosen.

Considerations and Limitations

While the ability to rename Siri is a fun novelty, there are some limitations:

  1. Device Syncing: The new name won’t sync across all your Apple devices. For example, your HomePods will still respond to “Hey Siri” and not the new name.
  2. Activation Delay: When using the new name, you must pause briefly after saying the trigger word. Instead of saying, “Hey HAL 9000, what’s the weather like?” all at once, you’ll need to say “Hey HAL 9000,” wait for a moment, and then continue with your command. This pause allows Vocal Shortcuts to activate Siri properly.

Default Siri Activation

Despite these limitations, you can always revert to the reliable “Hey Siri” command to wake Siri up, even if you’ve assigned it a new name. This ensures you won’t lose functionality or convenience if the renamed Siri becomes cumbersome to use.

iOS 18’s Vocal Shortcuts feature provides a unique way to personalize your interaction with Siri. While the renaming process comes with a few caveats, the ability to customize your virtual assistant’s name adds a playful element to your iPhone experience. Whether you choose to call Siri Jarvis, HAL 9000, or something else entirely, this new feature is a testament to the ongoing innovation in Apple’s software updates.