Since updating my Apple Watch 8 to 9.5 (and my iPhone 14 to 16.5) the watch no longer responds to 'Hey Siri'.
Is anyone else having this problem? Can anyone suggest a solution or cause? I've turned both iPhone and watch off and on, turned Siri off and on and generally done (I think) everything suggested here or on the internet, but to no avail.
Ok lets get serious. it could be a corrupt iOS installation, This will diagnose it.
-Unpair and erase the Watch (a) - see resources below.
-Backup the iphone (b)
-Restore iphone to factory settings (c). You should end up with the Hello screen on the iphone.
-Set up the iphone as new without restoring the backup. (d)
-Install no extra software, no social media, nothing else. (aka "vanilla minimal")
-Pair the Watch to the iphone (e)
Try Siri again
Only when that test is over can you repeat the three actions (a) to unpair, (c) to wipe then (d) to set up the phone but restoring the backup this time. then (e) to pair the Watch again
Scenario 1. If Siri works (vanilla minimal) then it proves it is software on the iPhone causing it.
In that case you have two choices.
1.You could export as much data as possible such as un-sync’d photos and documents out of the phone to a place of safety such as iCloud before repeating the restore and set up as new process, (a) (c) (d) (e) then build up the phone again from scratch. Obviously no security or VPN software.
Or
2.You could systematically uninstall software and any profiles until the battery will last a full day,
Scenario 2. If Siri works after both setups - ie with minimal software and with the restored backup then it suggests it was a simple corrupt iOS installation. You have fixed it - great news!
Scenario 3. Siri doesnt work in either state.
No idea at all .
Resources you need: (Allow a couple of hours for each session)
(a) Unpair and erase your Apple Watch – Apple Support (UK)
(b) How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support
(c) Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support
(d) Set up your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
(e) Set up your Apple Watch – Apple Support (UK)
Ok lets get serious. it could be a corrupt iOS installation, This will diagnose it.
-Unpair and erase the Watch (a) - see resources below.
-Backup the iphone (b)
-Restore iphone to factory settings (c). You should end up with the Hello screen on the iphone.
-Set up the iphone as new without restoring the backup. (d)
-Install no extra software, no social media, nothing else. (aka "vanilla minimal")
-Pair the Watch to the iphone (e)
Try Siri again
Only when that test is over can you repeat the three actions (a) to unpair, (c) to wipe then (d) to set up the phone but restoring the backup this time. then (e) to pair the Watch again
Scenario 1. If Siri works (vanilla minimal) then it proves it is software on the iPhone causing it.
In that case you have two choices.
1.You could export as much data as possible such as un-sync’d photos and documents out of the phone to a place of safety such as iCloud before repeating the restore and set up as new process, (a) (c) (d) (e) then build up the phone again from scratch. Obviously no security or VPN software.
Or
2.You could systematically uninstall software and any profiles until the battery will last a full day,
Scenario 2. If Siri works after both setups - ie with minimal software and with the restored backup then it suggests it was a simple corrupt iOS installation. You have fixed it - great news!
Scenario 3. Siri doesnt work in either state.
No idea at all .
Resources you need: (Allow a couple of hours for each session)
(a) Unpair and erase your Apple Watch – Apple Support (UK)
(b) How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support
(c) Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support
(d) Set up your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
(e) Set up your Apple Watch – Apple Support (UK)
LD150 gave you some great options to try.
Try this if you haven't already:
Turn off Hey Siri on your watch.
Then Force Restart your watch, by pressing and holding BOTH the power and digital crown buttons. Keep holding them both until you see the Apple Logo (can take several seconds). Once you see the Apple Logo, let go and your watch will restart. Sign back in when prompted, then turn Hey Siri back on. See if it works. Also note that for Hey Siri to work, you need to be connected to a network. Are you?
Rhubarb13 wrote:
Just on the watch?
I unpaired my watch from my iPhone and paired it with my wife's iPhone, but the same problem persists.
Phone, and it goes from both.
Maybe your mic is blocked or faulty. Can you call your wife using the Watch?
If nothing LD150 or me advised is helping, it would make sense to schedule an appointment at your Apple Store Genius Bar and let Apple test your watch in person.
Is the volume all the way up in Settings > Sounds & Haptics?
Siri volume is adjusted separately in Watch settings, Siri, Siri Responses, Volume
When all settings seem OK but behaviour is not then there is a sequence of remedies you can try
Apple Watch basic diagnostics - Apple Community
If you don't want to try a vanilla iphone, try uninstalling Shazam.
Nope, none of these things worked and I've tried them all, spending ages on the phone with Apple support to no avail. I've also discovered that Shazam will not work on the watch. These things worked before the update(s) to 16.5 and 9.5 which is very suspicious.
Thanks for all of that. I've tried most of these things already without success. Not sure if I've enough of my life left to spend all that time to try to fix something which worked immediately before an update but doesn't work now. After all, these things are supposed to improve your life, not haunt it! Might wander in to the Apple Store and see if someone there has any ideas.
Yes. Even triple checked.:-) I get that sinking feeling that it's all in the updates since Siri (and Shazam) both worked before the updates but don't work now. I think the updates have done something to the microphone.
LD150 wrote:
I wish I could stop Siri joining into conversations - this morning I was Facetiming my son and she chipped-in saying "yeah, that's what I think"
LOL......Siri joins my calls sometimes too. I just tell her to shut up and stop listening!
Works for me. Out of ideas if none of that works
Thanks very much anyway. Even Apple Support couldn't fix it!
No 'Hey Siri' on watch after update
