How to Temporarily Disable Hey Siri on iOS

This guide walks you through turning off the “Hey Siri” voice activation on your iPhone or iPad so Siri stops listening for the wake phrase. You might want this for privacy, to prevent accidental triggers, or to save battery. The process takes under a minute and can be reversed just as quickly.

What You’ll Need

An iPhone or iPad running iOS 15 or later (the steps are nearly identical on older versions).
Your device passcode or Face ID/Touch ID, since some settings require authentication.

Step-by-Step

Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. It’s the gray gear icon on your home screen.
Scroll down and tap Siri & Search. In older iOS versions, this may be labeled simply “Siri.”
Tap the toggle next to Listen for “Hey Siri” to turn it off. The toggle will turn from green to gray.
If you also want to disable the side button or Home button shortcut that opens Siri, tap the toggle next to Press Side Button for Siri (or Press Home for Siri on older models). This is optional but gives you full control.
Exit Settings. Your changes save automatically. Siri will no longer respond to the “Hey Siri” phrase.
To re-enable it later, follow the same steps and turn the toggle back on. You may be asked to set up “Hey Siri” again by saying a few phrases.

Common Mistakes

Turning off the wrong toggle: Make sure you’re toggling “Listen for ‘Hey Siri’” and not “Allow Siri When Locked” or “Siri Suggestions.”
Only muting the device: Putting your phone on silent or Do Not Disturb does not stop “Hey Siri” from being active. You must disable the toggle in Settings.
Forgetting about the side button: Even with “Hey Siri” off, Siri still opens if you press and hold the side button. If you want no Siri access at all, disable that too.

Tips

If you only want to prevent Siri from activating when the phone is locked, leave “Listen for ‘Hey Siri’” on and turn off Allow Siri When Locked instead. This keeps hands-free Siri available while you’re using the phone.
Turning off “Hey Siri” can slightly improve battery life on older devices, since the microphone no longer listens continuously.
If you use Siri with CarPlay or AirPods, note that those devices may still trigger Siri independently. Check their own settings if needed.

Troubleshooting

If “Hey Siri” still activates after you’ve turned it off, try the following:

Restart your device: A simple restart can clear any temporary glitch in the settings.
Check for a configuration profile: If your device is managed by a school or employer, a profile may force Siri on. Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management to see if any profiles are installed.
Update iOS: Go to Settings > General > Software Update. Bugs in older iOS versions sometimes cause settings to not take effect properly.
Reset Siri settings: In Settings > Siri & Search, scroll down and tap “Reset Siri & Dictation.” This clears Siri’s learned data and may fix odd behavior. You’ll need to re-enable “Hey Siri” afterward if you want it back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will turning off “Hey Siri” delete my Siri data?

No. Your Siri voice, dictation history, and learned preferences remain stored. The setting only stops the wake phrase from being recognized.

Can I still use Siri with the side button after disabling “Hey Siri”?

Yes, unless you also turn off “Press Side Button for Siri.” The two toggles are independent.

Does turning off “Hey Siri” affect Siri on my Apple Watch or HomePod?

No. Each device has its own Siri settings. You need to disable “Hey Siri” separately on each device.

Will Siri still listen for “Hey Siri” when the phone is in my pocket?

No. Once the toggle is off, the microphone no longer actively listens for the phrase, regardless of the phone’s position.

Why does my phone ask me to set up “Hey Siri” again after I turn it back on?

iOS requires you to re-enroll your voice pattern whenever the feature is re-enabled, to improve recognition accuracy.

Is there a way to temporarily disable “Hey Siri” without going into Settings?

No. There is no shortcut, Control Center toggle, or voice command to turn it off. You must use the Settings app.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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