Apple added in IOS 18 update A new accessibility feature called “Voice Shortcuts.” Users who installed the beta version of the iOS 18 update discovered that this feature allows you to change Siri’s name. Instead of saying “Hey Siri,” you can now say any word other than it. Learn about it.
Voice shortcuts in iOS 18
The Voice Shortcuts feature allows iPhone and iPad users to set “custom utterances” that Siri can understand in order to launch shortcuts and accomplish complex tasks. One of the shortcuts you can set up is an alternative to “Hey Siri.” To set up a voice shortcut for Siri:
◉ Open Settings, then go to the Accessibility section.
◉ Then scroll down to Vocal Shortcuts.
◉ Then choose “Set Up Vocal Shortcuts.”
◉ Then select “Siri” and not “Siri Request.”
◉ Then write the new name that you want to use to activate Siri, such as “Oh my cat,” “Oh Captain,” “Oh my colleague,” “Oh Zul,” “Oh Pride of the Arabs,” or anything you like to call her with.
◉ Once you set the new name, you can say it to activate Siri. This is limited to the iPhone only, and cannot be synced with other devices such as the HomePod, so you will still need to use “Hey Siri” for those devices.
But!
As noted on Reddit, if you set up this shortcut, you'll need to pause after just saying the name to wait for it to activate before giving the command. With virtual Siri, you can say an entire phrase like, “Hey Siri, what time is it?” non stop. But this does not work with audio shortcut. You will need to say the wake word, pause for a moment, and then give the command after the wake word has activated Siri.
Because of this delay, most people are unlikely to be satisfied with it, and may not use it regularly.
The good thing is, you can still activate Siri with the phrase “Hey Siri” in addition to the new shortcut you set up.
Voice Shortcuts can be used to assign a voice command to launch any shortcut, as well as set up triggers for apps and system features like taking a screenshot, changing the volume, scrolling, activating Control Center, and more.
Voice shortcuts can be set up with another voice instead of speech, and this may be a useful option aimed at helping people of determination, or those who need alternative ways to activate system features.
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