Apple has completely redesigned Siri with new features and a new look with Apple Intelligence. The new Siri is better, more powerful, and more personal. In addition to the vibrant new design and smart features, Apple now offers the freedom to rename Siri in iOS 18. Yes, you heard that right. With iOS 17, Apple removed the “Hey” prefix from “Hey Siri,” and with iOS 18, Apple lets you change the name Siri to whatever you want. Finally, you can give Siri a nickname. In this quick guide, we’ll show you how to rename Siri on iPhone in iOS 18. Let’s get started!
How to Change Siri’s Name in iOS 18
You won’t find a direct option to rename Siri in Siri’s settings. Instead, this new option is part of the Voice Shortcuts accessibility feature introduced in iOS 18. Essentially, this feature lets users assign a custom phrase that Siri can understand to launch shortcuts and perform “complex tasks.” And, one of the shortcuts you can set up is an alternative to “Hey Siri.”
Here’s how you can use the Voice Shortcuts feature to change Siri’s name in iOS 18:
- First, make sure you have iOS 18 installed on your iPhone.
- Now open the Settings application and access the Accessibility section.
- Scroll down and choose the Voice Shortcuts option.
- Press Configure voice shortcuts option and press the button Continue button.
- Then scroll down and select Siri under the System section. Make sure you don’t select Siri Request at the top.
- You can now enter a custom phrase that you want to use to activate Siri, such as “Jarvis” or “Computer.”
- Now, say this custom phrase three times to help your iPhone recognize it.
- Once your action is ready, press the Continue button to use it to activate Siri on the iPhone.
While it’s fun to rename Siri on iPhone, there’s a catch. You should take a short break after activating Siri via an alternative commandWith Siri, everything works seamlessly and you can say an entire sentence at once, like “Hey Siri, what’s the weather like today?”
Unfortunately, this won’t work with the Voice Shortcut setup. Instead, you’ll need to use the new wake word, pause, and then give the command once Siri is activated. This delay, while slight, may affect the smooth flow of interactions for some users.
Also keep in mind that the new name won’t sync with other devices like HomePod. You’ll still need to use Siri on other devices.
This is how you can give Siri a new wake word in iOS 18. Additionally, by customizing Siri’s wake word, you can use the Voice Shortcuts feature to run shortcuts and set up triggers for system features like taking a screenshot, changing the volume, bringing up the Control Center, and more. This is an extremely useful accessibility feature for users who need alternative ways to trigger system features.
Have you tried this feature? Did you like it? Don’t forget to share your feedback in the comments below.
