Apple announced iOS 11 with a gazillion of features and it was impossible for the company to shed light to all of these new iOS 11 features. One of those unsung features of iOS 11 is an Accessibility feature called “Type to Siri.”
The name of the feature is self-explanatory. This allows you to type in your questions to Siri instead of using your voice. With iOS 11 launching this Fall, the iPhone and iPad users will be able to use the new “Type to Siri” feature available under Accessibility Settings. After enabling this feature you’ll be able to type your queries to Siri instead of shouting at them into space.
This new “Type to Siri” feature is targeted towards those iOS users who are either unable to use their voice to ask Siri a question or need a keyboard (or other similar devices) to do so. It indeed is going to be a pretty helpful feature to these folks out there.
It does not mean that the feature won’t be any good for those without the need for accessibility. Siri’s number one competitor, the Google Assistant, already offers both the voice and type interface, allowing quick and quiet answers to the queries. The Type to Siri feature will also be available on macOS High Sierra when it launches later this year.
How to enable “Type to Siri” in iOS 11 or Later
Apple introduced the Type to Siri feature in iOS 11, so make sure your device is at least running iOS 11 beta. Here you can check iOS 11 compatible devices list and then follow our guide on how to install iOS 11 without a developer account. To enable Type to Siri:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Go to General.
- Tap on Accessibility.
- Tap on Siri.
- Switch the “Type to Siri” toggle to ON state.
- Now simply hold down the Home button to Trigger Siri and type in your question that you want to ask.
How to use Voice Commands when “Type to Siri” in enabled
If you have enabled “Type to Siri” feature, you can still use your voice to ask Siri a question in a couple fo ways.
Option 1: User “Hey Siri”
- Open Settings.
- Go to Siri & Search.
- Toggle ON the Listen for “Hey Siri.”
- Trigger Siri by saying “Hey Siri,” and speak whatever you wanna ask Siri.
Option 2: Use dictation
- With “Type to Siri” feature enabled, Trigger Siri by holding down the Home button.
- To dictate your query, simply tap on the Dictation button on your keyboard.
How to use Type to Siri in iOS 10 and older version
In iOS 10 or older version, you still can use Type to Siri with a simple workaround:
- Simply say “Hey Siri” or press and hold the Home button to trigger Siri.
- Dictate a query.
- Tap on the text you just spoke to change your question.
- Alter the question as per your liking and tap Done on the bottom right corner of the keyboard.
- Siri’s word suggestion options also allow you to tap on a single word that you want to change.