Is there a way to get Siri to stop saying uh huh when I say “Hey Siri”?

WrightsCS wrote:

I think Siri is the biggest failure Apple has ever created. The fact that it responds with "UH HUH" or "MHMM" when I say Hey Siri, makes me want to reach through my screen and strangle the processor. Fix this Apple. The condescending responses from Siri are completely unnecessary.

You just need to speak without pausing after "Hey Siri". This is most noticeable for users who have used other Personal Assistants where a pause was required to recognize the activation phrase. With Siri, there is no pause needed and you just need to speak the phrase like you normally would.

For example, if you were asking your friend what time it is, you would say "Hey Joe what time is it?" and if you paused after "Hey Joe", they would respond with something like "what".

With that said, you can still provide feedback and maybe there should be a longer grace period after a pause. I would think that is something that could be done easily, but asking in one fluid question also works.

Product Feedback - Apple

Try it, but you'll be disappointed. That won't stop Siri from saying Uh Hun if you pause after waking Siri. It just keeps Siri in listen mode longer after you've stopped asking Siri your question. There is one and only one way to stop Siri from saying Uh Huh and that is to NOT pause after waking Siri and simply ask your question with NO PAUSE after waking Siri by name.

cryzoirder189 wrote:

Agreed and it is also really hard to hear her saying uhhuh. I don’t understand why Apd doesn’t change this feature, when clearly majority strongly dislike this response.

Because Siri only says “uh huh” if you don’t complete the sentence. “Hey Siri, what’s tomorrow’s weather” will work every time. App removed the prompt because Siri doesn’t need a pause.

What I posted above, which you probably didn’t see:

Siri says “uh huh” just like your friend probably would if you said, “Hey Sally” and then didn’t say anything else. Unless Sally perhaps says something rude (which Siri will never do). You don’t have to rush, you just have to speak a normal phrase like you would to a friend. "Hey Siri, what’s today’s weather?” Siri doesn’t say “uh huh” unless you pause longer than 4 seconds, as your friend would, similarly.

The ONLY way I’ve found where Siri doesn’t do that “mhmm?” is if you hold down the power/home button instead of saying “Hey Siri”. If you say his/her name it’ll say “Mhmm?” as like a “I’m listening!” type thing, although it’s hella annoying and as many times as I turn of my ringer, turn down my volume, Siri still replies at MAX VOLUME and it’s obnoxious. The only way is to go in settings, Siri, Siri responses, Silent Response and then just power button to activate. Then she/he won’t talk.

[Edited by Moderator]

anrinightmare wrote:

The ONLY way I’ve found where Siri doesn’t do that “mhmm?” is if you hold down the power/home button instead of saying “Hey Siri”. If you say his/her name it’ll say “Mhmm?” as like a “I’m listening!” type thing, '

Or, you could simply not pause between "Hey, Siri...." and your question. The only time I ever hear "Uh huh?" from Siri is if I get distracted and stop part way through the question.

Read the thread you just posted to. You can stop the Uh Huh, simply by not pausing after waking Siri. Otherwise, you can't change Siri's behavior, just your behavior. And we didn't make Siri do anything. You aren't writing anyone from Apple here. This is a user to user only forum, so we are ALL users just like you.

Siri says “uh huh” just like your friend probably would if you said, “Hey Sally” and then didn’t say anything else. Unless Sally perhaps says something rude (which Siri will never do). You don’t have to rush, you just have to speak a normal phrase like you would to a friend. "Hey Siri, what’s today’s weather?” Siri doesn’t say “uh huh” unless you pause longer than 4 seconds, as your friend would, similarly.

DesertBrush wrote:

its more than annoying it is offensive. like a little disrespectful brat.

That's your opinion, which you are entitled too, but there is nothing disrespectful in saying Uh Huh at all. If you don't like it, it's been explained to not pause after you wake Siri. Simply ask Siri a question without a pause, or if you don't Siri will say Uh Huh as a means of seeing if you intend to ask something. It is nothing more than that.

If this isn't an acceptable option for you and you want to tell Apple what you think, you can use this link --> Feedback - iPhone - Apple

You probably have a greater chance of winning the lottery than having Apple change this, but at least you can share your thoughts with them.

Did you read the responses on this simple one page thread? I'd guess not. ALL you have to do is NOT pause after waking Siri. Simply say Siri, what's the temperature outside as opposed to saying Siri (pause) what's the temperature outside. If you pause, Siri will say Uh Huh? If you don't pause, Siri won't. It's that simple.

LazyMantra wrote:

Just thought I would add my Buck 50 on Siri’s lightning fast uh-huh confirmation BS, since we are now into iOS 18, and the issue is still an issue.

iOS 18 has not been released at the time of this writing. Discussion of beta software is not permitted in the public forums.

What is it going to take for them to fix this!?

It would take Apple deciding to do something different. Nothing is "broken," so there is nothing to "fix." It works exactly the way Apple intends it to work. You can certainly let Apple know that you don't like it using the feedback link that has been given (repeatedly) in this thread. But I suspect it would take a huge number of people saying they didn't like it to get Apple to change their minds.

Meanwhile, you never have to hear Siri say "uh huh?" if you don't want to.

I met a fellow named Andrew with his girlfriend Krystal while visiting JoJo's Shave Ice Kauai 3 years ago today May 21.

We had a fascinating conversation when I learned he worked as a software engineer on the Siri team.

They were working on "phatic responses." The way "phatic responses" are being used with Siri is via AI learning, so that if you are taking your time asking Siri a question, Siri will know you're not done (having learned your patterns) and will utter an audible "Mm-hmm" as an affirmation of following and understanding — like a caring human listener does."

That's what I was told.

I thought it sounded interesting, but now that I experience it all the time, I can tell you Siri has learned nothing from my speech patterns, and I hate the "MmHmm?" because it always feels she's interrupting, or trying to push the question faster. It always pushes my "rudeness button."

I don't like it, so here I am trying to find a way to turn "phatic responses" off.

I may have found it:

Settings > Accessibility > Siri > Siri Pause Time

Alas, there is no On/Off toggle. But I chose Longest which removed the check from "Default" — but how do I know how long the default pause is?

1771ladie wrote:

Zero remember back in the day when Siri would answer by saying hello and then your name? Or what can I help you with? Why did Apple decide to fix something that wasn’t broke?

Because Siri is much smarter than you give it credit for.

Don’t pause after saying “Siri” or “Hey, Siri”, just state your request immediately. “Siri, what’s tomorrow’s weather?"

If you said to your friend, “Hey Joe” and paused Joe might say “uh huh” or perhaps something ruder. Siri is responding in a similar manner. Siri is “smart” enough to not require waking up before processing the rest of the command or question, and hasn’t been for over 3 years now.

It appears to be the slight pause between "Hey Siri" and the question. I understand that you are aware of this based on your first sentence, but if I pause, Siri will give me the uh-huh and if I don't, there is no problem.

If you used an Android phone previously the cadence in using the voice assistant is a little different. You had to say "Google", then pause a bit to ask a question.

What happens when you do say Hey Siri and the question without a pause. Does she interrupt your question with the uh-huh, or does she say it after you asked your question?

Theseapplesareok wrote:

Agreed and the reasons for liking this feature do not change that Siri’s responses are at least informal and at most trashy. It’s on Apple for failing to give an option to have a more manners based way of responding.

If you want Apple to hear you, they won't for having posted here on this user to user only forum. You can, however, provide feedback to Apple here --> Feedback - iPhone - Apple

I don't agree that Siri saying Uh Huh is trashy in any way. And I doubt most people do or this forum would be littered with complaints about how Siri responds, which this forum, the most visited forum for and about iPhone in the world is not littered with such complaints.

coconutgroves wrote:

This is extremely annoying and actually makes me want to stop using Siri.

This also happens during CarPlay.

Siri interrupts me no matter how fast I talk.

Apple, you need to fix this. It is not natural.

You are NOT addressing anyone from Apple here. This is a user to user only forum. I'm not sure Apple believes they have anything to fix. I don't either. Siri never says Uh Huh to me, because I have learned to ask a question without any pause. But even if I did pause and Siri said Uh Huh, I think there are other issues in my life that are far more pressing than Siri saying Uh Huh.

Still, if it's upsetting you so, tell Apple what you think here --> Feedback - iPhone - Apple