Using Siri: More Than You Think
Using Siri. Most people do it halfway. Press the Home button, ask a question, done. You think you know it all—setting the timer, checking the weather, calling someone. Standard stuff. But here's what no one tells you: you're probably only using twenty percent of what Siri can actually do. While the smartest features are hidden in the details.
Think of having messages automatically read aloud while driving. Or Siri alerting you when you leave a location. Even music recognition without opening Shazam. The crazy thing is: these features have been on your iPhone for years. You just need to know the right commands . And with the right accessories like AirPods , it becomes even easier—completely hands-free, even. Time to finally discover those hidden possibilities.
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Have messages read aloud while driving
One of Siri's most underrated features is the automatic message readout. This works not only with WhatsApp, but also with iMessage, Telegram, and other messaging apps. Enable this feature in Settings > Notifications > Message Readout. Choose "While Driving" or "With Headphones" for maximum safety.
The great thing about this: you don't even have to ask if there are any new messages. The assistant automatically announces who the message is from and reads it aloud. You can respond immediately by saying "reply" followed by your message. No hands off the wheel, no eyes off the road.
Set location-based reminders
Forget time-based reminders. The real power lies in location-based notifications. For example, say, "Remind me to buy milk when I get to the grocery store" or "Remind me to water the plants when I get home." This model automatically recognizes your regular locations after a few visits.
For specific locations, you can add the address: "Remind me to drop off the package when I arrive at Hoofdstraat 12." The notification will appear as soon as you're within a radius of about 100 meters. Perfect for those tasks you can only perform at certain locations.
Music recognition without additional apps
Shazam has been built into the system for years. All you have to do is ask, "What song is this?" The assistant listens for about ten seconds and gives you the artist, title, and often even a direct link to Apple Music or Spotify. It also works with music playing in the background of movies or TV shows.
Bonus tip: Say "Add this song to my library" immediately after recognition. The song will be automatically added to your music service. No need to worry about screenshots or saving it for later.
Manage relationships and contacts
Teach Siri who your most important contacts are. Say things like "John Smith is my dad" or "Maria de Vries is my colleague." From then on, you can communicate more naturally: "Call my dad" or "Send a message to my colleague."
This also works for addresses. Add labels to frequently used locations via the Maps app. Save your gym, favorite restaurant, or workplace. Then, simply say, "Navigate to gym" instead of entering the full address.
Open apps with specific actions
Instead of just opening apps, you can navigate directly to specific parts. Try this:
- "Show my step counter" - opens your activity overview directly
- "Open WhatsApp conversation with mom" - goes directly to that chat
- "Show my latest photo" - immediately shows your latest shot
- "Open camera in portrait mode" - instantly launches the correct camera mode
- "Show my plane tickets" - opens Wallet with your boarding passes
Mathematical calculations and conversions
The built-in calculator goes much further than simple addition. For example, ask: "What is an 18 percent tip on 47 euros?" or "How much is $350 in euros?" More complex questions also work: "What is the square root of 289?" or "How much is a 15 percent discount on 89 euros?"
For cooking and baking, the conversions are especially handy. "How many milliliters is half a cup?" or "What is 180 degrees Celsius in Fahrenheit?" No more searching for conversion tables while cooking.
Remember personal information
Siri remembers what you tell her about yourself. Go to Contacts, find your personal card, and fill in relevant information. Add your work address, partner, children, and important dates. This makes commands much more natural.
With this information, you can ask questions like, "What time do I have to leave for work?" The assistant calculates travel time based on current traffic information. Or, "When is my wife's birthday?" ensures you never forget another birthday.
Shortcuts for complex tasks
The Shortcuts app (formerly Shortcuts) takes everything to the next level. Create custom commands for repetitive tasks. For example, an "I'm going home" command can:
- Send a message to your partner with your expected arrival time
- Start navigation home
- Play your favorite podcast
- Turn up the thermostat at home
You can share these shortcuts with a single voice command. After setting it up, just say "I'm going home" and everything happens automatically.
Practical tips for daily use
Speak clearly but naturally. You don't need to shout or exaggerate. Speech recognition works best at your normal speaking pace. If there's background noise, it helps to speak a little closer to the microphone.
Use follow-up questions. After an initial command, you can ask more questions without saying "Hey Siri" again. For example, ask about the weather first, and then "What about tomorrow?" or "What about the weekend?"
Correct mistakes immediately. If the assistant misunderstands you, say "Change that" or "Not that, I meant..." This will improve recognition for future commands.
Optimize privacy and settings
Many people worry about privacy. Fortunately, you can control exactly what Siri can and cannot do. Go to Settings > Siri & Search to disable app suggestions or deny access to specific apps.
For maximum privacy, you can clear "Siri and Dictation History." This will delete all stored voice clips from Apple's servers. The functionality will continue to work, but the personalization will start over.
Only enable "Listen for 'Hey Siri'" when you actually use it. This saves battery and prevents unwanted activations. For occasional use, the Side button or Home button is sufficient.
Conclusion: Make the most of Siri
Siri can do so much more than you think. From automatically reading messages to smart location reminders—the features are already there, you just have to use them. Start small with one or two tips that help you daily. Have messages read aloud while driving, for example, or recognize music without any additional apps.
Once these become routine, add new commands. The right iPhone accessories make it even easier to control everything hands-free. It takes a little time to adapt to these habits, but afterward, you'll wonder how you ever lived without them .
