How To Disable Voice Command Feature permanently

I will be the first to admit that not everything is perfect with the iPhone 3GS. The algorithm they switched to for computing location for example is a travesty. However, the Voice Command feature is not one of these features that needs tweaking.

I have not experienced any instances where it was activated without my direct input wanting to activate it. Now, having read this entire thread, I have seen one common thread there. In almost all of the instances where Voice Command was "activated" it was done so while the user was using the device in what I would consider a rather extreme manner. For instance while using a rowing machine or riding a bicycle or a motorcycle.

Some have postulated that moisture in the microphone module on the stock iPhone earbuds may be the culprit. This is certainly possible as it could be a simple short. Remember that sweat has the same salinity as ocean water and would be a pretty good conductor of electricity. Moreover, it would seem completely plausible to me that during these actions the user could be accidentally activating voice command by pressing on either of the buttons that could activate it.

As to the issues of whether or not someone should use this device while operating a bicycle or motorcycle in public, although the legalities may be vague on this, the evidence from the NHSTA seems pretty conclusive that using any electronic device while driving is unwise and poses a significant danger to the person doing it and others around them.

Not that this will change anyones behavior, and I fully expect that many will take exception to this. Personally, if they do succeed in create a law that does address distracted driving, I hope it encompasses all forms of distracted driving and not just the use of a cell phone.

The Voice Command feature has been long sought after by users of the iPhone since the original iPhone was released. The implementation by Apple is one of the best I have seen for this sort of feature. I certainly hope they do not disable or cripple it in some way going forward.

You consider a rowing machine to be an "extreme" manner? Apple actually build Nike+ support into the iPhone, surely this means they expect people to exercise while using it?

Richard,

No-one is suggesting Apple cripple Voice Command. All we're asking for is a switch to be able to turn it completely off.

As far as using the iPhone *as an iPod* while running or cycling; please, that is one of the primary functions of the device. That hardly falls into the realm of "extreme" use.

This is happening to me while sitting perfectly still. Though it seems to happen after about 20 minutes of playing music. Voice control starts to kick in randomly, songs switch, etc.

I love the iphone I traded up from an original 16 gb.

But I am one more asking for a disable feature for voice command. I use a 3GS on an eliptcal machine several times a week voice control just keeps kicking in. I agree with the previous comment that the iphone is marketed to use while exercising (Nike+). This is a royal pain. Please let me disable! 😟

As for apple's voice command being a superior voice recognition, I have to disagree. My car's voice recognition is solid (thank you Nissan), Apple's continualy picks the wrong contact, song or playlist...an area for improvement before I will use it...

Add my voice as another person experiencing this problem, and it's happening to me when I'm standing still. I do screenprinting and my shop is 90 degrees-plus inside when I'm working with my drying oven on. I don't know if it's the heat or the humidity in the air, but within five minutes of walking into the shop with the phone in my pocket voice control starts randomly coming on, and it gets more and more frequent the longer I'm in there. I have even tried it with a pair of non-Apple headphones and it is still happening, so I think the problem is in the button on the phone, not the headphone cord.

this also happens to me, and i would LOVE to see this feature have the option to disable. It happens to me while cycling or mountain biking. It usually happens at least once a ride, never seen it happen while sitting still. either way, i hate it, never will use it on this phone or any other phone ive had in the past.

Add me to the list of users that this has happened to. Like others I was at the gym and was extremely annoyed when it started but more annoyed when I couldn't get it to stop.

Furthermore I'd like to say that some of the attitudes in this thread are exactly the apple fanboy stereotype I hate so much. "Doesnt happen to me so you are wrong". Nothing is perfect, iPhone included, and just cuz a problem doesn't affect you doesn't mean there isn't an issue. I think clearly from the replies in this thread there is a problem and I think an option to disable the feature ( like shake to shuffle which annoyed me when it first hit while I wad working out) is a perfectly acceptable solution that won't affect those of you not having issues.

I have this issue as well. I have an iPhone 3Gs and I am able replicate this with any brand iphone compatible or stock headset. If I start the ipod app, lock the iphone and run into wind the music starts to glitch out. Changes volume, pauses and unpauses or just cuts in and out. Basically this makes it unusable in windy conditions. Is there a fix for this please?

I've also been having this problem, but only with the headphones plugged in (haven't yet tried it with non-stock headphones). However, I've seen Voice Command get activated when I left the headphones in after a run and let the phone sit for a few minutes, and there was no one within five feet of it at the time. This rules out the possibility that the problem is caused by an accidental button press.

Here's my best guess: the headset has four connectors: one ground, one output for each speaker, and one input. I bet that the button presses are fed in through the same input as the mic, so spurious acoustic noise is sometimes accidentally recognized as a button press. If that's the case, this problem might be very hard to fix in software, and may require a new headset design. I'll definitely be giving Apple feedback about this, so hopefully they can fix it in the future.

I am having the exact same issue when running. I thought it might be an issue with the 3.0.1 since that's when I first noticed it. You are right it is indeed extremely annoying-actually it makes the phone unusable. I've had to revert to my ipod in order to listen to music while running. It doesn't make a lot of sense to have Nike + available on the iPhone while it has this problem.

I started having this problem today while walking with iPhone 3GS and Nike+. I've been doing the same daily for over a month now and never had a problem. However, I realized that today I was using the older headphones that came with my iPhone 3G. I'd been using older non-microphone iPod headphones on every previous workout. Today, with the iPhone 3GS in a leather case in my shorts pocket, Voice Control kept coming up and pausing my music. Home button was never touched. Each time, I'd have to cancel Voice Control, slide to unlock and advance to the next song in Nike+ for the music to start playing again. Had to do this about 20 times during a 4 mile walk. Very annoying. So, I guess I'll just go back to using the old iPod headphones until Apple adds a disable feature for Voice Control.

I got the exact the same issue. The voice control keep on interrupting the nike+ application when I run. It's ok for the first 10-20 minutes. The NIKE+ application will keep on pause/resume. It's extremely annoying...

I am using Nike+ as well, and find that this is soooo... annoying.

can anyone find the solution yet?

Your hypothesis is correct. It is moisture of any kind. I also have a theory: Apple paid a UI Designer $200K to come up with a really snazzy microphone interface. They then outsourced the engineering to TCS in India. The result: a really cool-looking headset that doesn't work.

Not to be all negative, I do have a solution since I doubt that Apple will suppl all of us with new non-defective (and it is a defect) headsets! Get a very small strip of duct tape and tape over the whole mic assembly (not just the hole). Problem solved. I have not heard that annoying "say a command" voice in a long time.

I'm sure that there are people out there who are horrified at the idea of disabling this feature via duct tape. Bummer. Until Apple provides a patch to remove this relatively useless feature, that's the best you can do without using an iPod headset.

If anyone thinks that exercise is "extreme", I suggest getting off the lazyboy and walking outside. It's a pretty cool world out there!