Siri doesn’t read texts anymore

Hi, so today i updated to iOS 14 and then immediately to 14.2.


but ever since i got the 14-Series iOS, Siri will no longer read my texts, which i used to use a lot when driving my car.


if i receive a text and say “read messages”

Siri says “You have a new message from [name], would you like to reply?”


but Siri no longer read the content of the text message, i really hope someone can tell me how to fix this.


also if i dictate a text message, Siri used to read the message back to me and ask if i was ready to send, now it doesn’t read my dictate back anymore.


thanks

iPhone 11, iOS 14

Posted on Nov 7, 2020 7:04 AM

Reply
13 replies

Nov 11, 2020 10:54 PM in response to chuck_3rd

Hello Chuck_3rd,


I have tried with both the Siri & Dictation turned on, and off, and it makes no difference.

Siri still just says "You have new messages from (Name), would you like to answer?" And sometimes is says "you need to unlock your phone first."


And if I send a text Siri doen't read the text back to me anymore, it just asks if I would like to send it now.


I have howewer gotten it somewhat to work.

If I say "Read recent messages", then Siri can read the latest text message, but only with no lock on the iphone, so that means I have no security on the phone, no passcode and no face id, which is really annoying not having this feature work.


If I say "read message", Siri says "You have new messages from (Name), would you like to answer?" , if I then say "read full message", Siri says "you have no new messages."


No i am not using headphones, it is the same if I am using handsfree in my car or just using the phone by it self, i can only get it to work kinda, if i remove my security.


I wish I could undo this update and keep the last ios 13 verison, where all this worked. :-(

Dec 17, 2020 8:38 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

Yeah like the original post I have tried everything. It seems obvious that Siri actually does what “she’s supposed to do” it just skips the reading it out loud part. Otherwise the message wouldn’t be counted as read. It also disappears from the locked screen notifications.


It worked prior to 14 or 14.1. I is also an issue on iPad via AirPods.

Nov 11, 2020 4:48 PM in response to casper112

Hello casper112,


Thanks for posting to Apple Support Communities. We understand that you have been having some issues with Siri and Dictation since updating to iOS 14.


It sounds like you may not have dictation turned on. To check on and make changes, go to Settings > Screen Time > Contact & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps > Siri & Dictation.


If the same issue occurs, are you using any headphones when this happens? If you ask Siri to read the full message, what happens?


Thanks!

Nov 12, 2020 11:33 AM in response to casper112

casper112,


Thanks for trying those suggestions. We've looked in to this a bit and found that currently, this feature is designed to work only when connected to AirPods and Beats mentioned in Announce Messages with Siri on AirPods.


If you would like to leave feedback for Apple regarding this or any other iOS features, you can do that from Product Feedback.


Have a great day!

Dec 17, 2020 7:33 AM in response to chuck_3rd

Hi chuck_3rd


I have to question the above statement. I am having the exact same problem AND I am using AirPods Pro. I have tried the steps you suggested above. I have also tried turning "hello Siri" on and off. I doesn't work. Even if I say "Hi Siri. Please read my messages out loud" she just answers "You have a new message from X. Would you like to respond?". If I once again ask her to read the message she says "You have no new messages". And the message is no longer marked as unread.


This is extremely annoying and its a huge set back regarding the use of AirPods...

Dec 17, 2020 9:18 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

I tried:


  • Turning my phone off and on again
  • Making my phone forget the AirPods and connecting them again
  • Turned "Listen for Hey Siri" off and on again.
  • Turned "Allow Siri when phone is locked off and on again"
  • Cheked that it is turned on in Settings > Notification > Announce messages with Siri
  • Checked that it is turned on in: Settings > Screen Time > Contact & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps > Siri & Dictation


Seems probable that the problem started around 14.2 like the two people mention above.

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Siri doesn’t read texts anymore

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