Siri says “You need to unlock your iPhone first”

There was this same issue With iOS 13.3 reported back in January. Even though the setting is to allow Siri while locked, Siri disregards it. I even went further and allowed USB devices while locked thinking that it may be the problem with the Bluetooth device. So the issue is still there, and that is a MAJOR inconvenience. I discovered this while riding my motorcycle. And for me the only way to communicate if needed is through voice activated commands. And no, the recommendations to reset the phone do not solve it. So it would be nice to know what exactly Apple is planning to do to solve it. I mean apart from ignoring the problem as usual.

iPhone 7 Plus, iOS 13

Posted on Jul 30, 2020 3:42 PM

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Posted on May 19, 2021 4:42 AM

SOLVED - Controlling Siri from Cardo Packtalk (or other) motorcycle headset: I have a Cardo Packtalk that I use as a headset when I ride. I’ve only had it about 6 months and could never get it to work with Siri. You’re supposed to say “Hey Siri” to wake up Siri on your phone to accept commands. I’d do this and the phone would acknowledge that I’d spoken to Siri, but then there would be a long pause (up to a minute) and then my phone would say “something has gone wrong” and would go back to streaming music or whatever I was doing before.


I confirmed that the “allow Siri while locked” setting was turned on in Siri settings. Last weekend, I started checking EVERYTHING in frustration and looked in my Bluetooth devices. The Packtalk Bold was listed there so I touched the “i” to check for further settings. Under the name of the device, it said “Device Type”, with no value there. I touched on that and was presented with several options: Car Stereo, Headphone, Hearing Aid, Speaker, and Other. None were checked. I selected “Headphone” and now it works perfectly!


The problem was that because the phone didn’t see the Cardo as a headset, the “Hey Siri” command was being passed to the phone from the Cardo unit, but the phone was then waiting on the command on the phone microphone instead of the Cardo. That’s why there was the long pause after initiating the command, while it waited. Now that it sees the Cardo as a headphone, it accepts the Siri commands through it.


This seems to be a new iOS setting (back to version 13 or 14). Good luck!

117 replies

Aug 1, 2021 10:49 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

How is someone going to listen to my messages without unlocking the phone and pairing a device. Now if they steal my device and my phone the only thing they can do is read new messages. But They have access through the device to my contact list which would be more of a concern and call and receive phone calls like I can do now WITHOUT unlocking my phone. You’re describing a tempest in a teapot I can call and receive calls and send messages with verbal commands through Siri but can’t receive messages. Nonsense.

Sep 18, 2021 9:42 AM in response to HRezz

I have a Cardo headset on my motorcycle helmet. I can call someone and receive a call with no problem. To call someone I ask Siri to call the person/number but to receive I just push the answer button. I don’t use voice commands for every task. I can play my music or steam music with the phone locked or unlocked via Bluetooth. I can have Siri send a text message. But when I ask Siri to read my incoming text messages “she” says you have to unlock your phone first every time. I’ve tried all the buttons that would seem to impact that problem but nothing has worked. I have another iOS upgrade pending and Cardo tech supports suggested something which I haven’t tried yet. If one or the other works I’ll post the fix. Thanks.

Sep 18, 2021 1:33 PM in response to Morgabit

I think I posted my issue to the wrong forum. I’m not having any of the issues mentioned. My issue is when I say “Hey Siri” call xxxxxx, when I’m using the AirPods, and Siri says I need to unlock my iPhone first. What’s the point in having the AirPods, and using hey Siri, if you need to pull out the phone and unlock it before you can make a call?

Oct 4, 2021 7:47 AM in response to AntonKorol

I have an iPhone 12 mini and it also happens for me. I'll try to get music to start playing while I'm riding my motorcycle and it will ask me to unlock my iPhone. I'm not stupid enough to get out my phone while riding, but I guarantee there will be someone who does. Sure seems like a lawsuit waiting to happen given how foreseeable the problem is.

Oct 4, 2021 7:51 AM in response to Zutt3

Why are you so worried a thief can listen to messages? 99.9999% of people’s messages are stupid and mundane and have absolutely no value. If everyone was a government official ofr secret agent sharing classified government info then this would be an issue. Otherwise it’s just an excuse for apples shortcomings.

Zutt3 wrote: Why are you so worried a thief can listen to messages? 99.9999% of people’s messages are stupid and mundane and have absolutely no value. If everyone was a government official ofr secret agent sharing classified government info then this would be an issue. Otherwise it’s just an excuse for apples shortcomings.

I'm a lawyer; 80% of my messages are confidential. So many people work in jobs that require confidentiality that I don't even know where to start.

Oct 9, 2021 7:51 AM in response to AntonKorol

This is extremely annoying to me. I have a Cardo Packtalk and recently upgraded from an IPhone 6 to a 12. I can send and receive calls, listen to music from the phone and send a message but I can’t read messages unless I “unlock my phone first”. I was able to read messages on my iPhone 6 while riding. This is a major bug which probably could be fixed easily. Apple apparently isn’t addressing these complaints.

Nov 12, 2021 7:59 PM in response to Mu84

Works on my iPhone 12. Couldn’t tell you how I got there as I was switching any button on that looked pertinent. Today I was using my Bluetooth earbuds asked Siri to change the volume and it told me to unlock my phone first. I then said “Hey Siri” change the volume and it did. I’m not giving you a bunch of hooey just my experience.

Dec 23, 2021 4:27 PM in response to peterwoo

I'll agree that this is ridiculous. If the phone is in my pocket, I say "Hey Siri" and ask "Give me directions to Bill's house" I'm supposed to pull my phone out of my pocket to unlock it while driving? I can read my texts while driving without taking my phone out and unlocking it but I can't ask how to get to Bill's house?


Really Apple? If I pull the phone out to unlock it, getting to Bill's isn't a problem.

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Siri says “You need to unlock your iPhone first”

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