Why can't I use "Hey Siri" on Mac mini?
Why can't I use "Hey Siri" on M1 Mac mini 2020?
Mac mini (M1, 2020)
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Why can't I use "Hey Siri" on M1 Mac mini 2020?
Mac mini (M1, 2020)
Siri needs a device for audio input in order to 'listen'.
The 2020 M1 Mac mini does not have a built-in microphone, nor a separate mic input.
The 2020 M1 Mac mini 3.5mm audio jack is output only (headphones).
Mac mini (M1, 2020) - Technical specifications
Connecting a Studio Display via a Thunderbolt port works, because the Studio Display contains multiple studio-quality microphones.
Set up and use Apple Studio Display - Apple Support
Siri needs a device for audio input in order to 'listen'.
The 2020 M1 Mac mini does not have a built-in microphone, nor a separate mic input.
The 2020 M1 Mac mini 3.5mm audio jack is output only (headphones).
Mac mini (M1, 2020) - Technical specifications
Connecting a Studio Display via a Thunderbolt port works, because the Studio Display contains multiple studio-quality microphones.
Set up and use Apple Studio Display - Apple Support
Thank you so much! I see now the main difference between the Mac Mini and the others. But the software seems to support it - Ventura supports "Hey Siri" on my laptop. I have a microphone running into my Mac mini via USB. Dictation works - I'm using it right now! So why not "Hey Siri"? Does "Hey Siri" need some sort of special hardware? Something that exists in the Studio Display and the other compatible devices, but not in the Mac Mini?
And, I guess, is there some way to trick the OS into thinking the microphone signal is coming from a Studio Display?
When I want audio input on my M2 Mac mini Pro, I plug in my USB Logitech C920 HD Pro webcam and Siri responds immediately without my needing to touch Settings on macOS Sonoma 14.5.
"Hey Siri" specifically relies on an always on microphone as well, it also needs to take care the identification of the user stays anonymous, this is handled by the Secure Enclave which is a part of the A series chips on the phones, M series chips on the Mac. Hence connecting an external mic may not work for Hey Siri.
This is one of the reasons why the Studio display has an A series chip in it.
If you read the support article that you arrived here from, you would have noticed that "Hey Siri" should work with 2018, or later, mini models that are connected to an Apple Studio Display.
What support article are you referring to?
Why can't I use "Hey Siri" on Mac mini?