Siri Not Responding on iPhone 16 Pro Max? Fix
After updating to the latest iOS version, many iPhone 16 Pro Max users have reported that Siri no longer responds to the “Hey Siri” or “Siri” wake phrase. While pressing the side button may still activate Siri in some cases, the hands-free functionality appears to be broken for a large number of users.
This issue is widely reported on Apple’s forums and Reddit. Some users say Siri stops responding altogether, while others note that it only works intermittently or only after a reboot — and even then, only for a short time.
What Users Are Reporting
One user explained:
“Siri is no longer responding to ‘Hey Siri’ or just ‘Siri.’ I’ve toggled every setting I can think of, rebooted, and even reset the phone. Still nothing unless I press the button.”
These reports are consistent across dozens of threads, with users expressing frustration that the voice assistant is no longer functioning reliably — especially when used hands-free in the car or around the house.
Fixes That May Help — At Least Temporarily
While Apple has yet to acknowledge the issue, some users have found temporary workarounds. Here are the most common:
1. Change Siri Responses to “Prefer Spoken Responses”
Go to Settings > Siri & Search or Siri or or Apple Intelligence & Siri > Siri Responses, and set it to “Prefer Spoken Responses” instead of “Automatic.” Restart your iPhone afterward.
2. Toggle Between “Hey Siri” and “Siri or Hey Siri”
In Settings > Siri & Search or Siri or Apple Intelligence & Siri > Listen For or , switch between different options, then restart the device.
3. Reset Siri Setup
Disable “Listen for ‘Hey Siri,’” restart the iPhone, and re-enable it to go through the voice setup again.
4. Enable Accessibility Options for Siri
Go to Settings > Accessibility > Siri and enable:
- Always Listen for “Hey Siri”
- Listen for Atypical Speech
5. Turn On Content & Privacy Restrictions Temporarily
Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions and toggle it ON. Restart the phone and test Siri again. This unusual step helped a few users.
6. Disable Apple Intelligence Features
If Apple Intelligence features are enabled, try turning them off under Siri settings. Some users reported improvements afterward.
7. Check for Bluetooth Conflicts
Disconnect hearing aids, earbuds, or other Bluetooth audio devices, as they may interfere with Siri’s audio response.
8. Reset Network Settings
Resetting network settings helped in some cases. This can be done via Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Note: This will erase your network related settings like your saved Wi-Fi passwords.
If you’ve found another fix that worked, share it with others. The more feedback Apple receives, the sooner we’re likely to see a permanent solution in a future iOS update.
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