Having Siri speak heart rate through Airpods when using Apple watch

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Level 1

4 points

Having Siri speak heart rate through Airpods when using Apple watch

I have an Apple Watch Series 7, Airpods Pro 2, and iPhone 15 Pro.

I am also blind and use Voiceover to interact with my iOS devices.

Problem: When running on a noisy treadmill with my Airpods in Noise Reduction mode, I cannot hear anything on the watch. Thus, although in principle the watch will speak my heart rate if I tap on the right place, this is not accessible when using the Airpods since the watch speaks through the watch and not the iPhone/AirPods.

I tried asking Siri, "what is my heart rate?", but the phone tells me "Sorry, I am unable to provide that information."

It should be possible to ask Siri "What is my heart rate" through the Airpods and hear the ansser through my Airpods without touching anything, but, unfortunately, it does not seem to be possible.

Please provide such a functionality for blind people whose hands might be busy and/or are using Airpods with noise reduction on. Obviously this info is somewhere in the watch/phone ecosystem and it should be available through Siri.

I am open to other suggestions if you have any, including trying to make a shortcut to perform this function. But it seems that the shortcuts app does not provide any actions that are suitable to this task.

Thanks.

--Pete

iPhone 15 Pro, iOS 17

Posted on Oct 3, 2023 7:07 PM

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Answer 1

Oct 5, 2023 2:51 PM in response to ptorpey

Hi ptorpey,

It sounds like you're having an issue with Siri providing your heart rate when using the VoiceOver feature. Based on the information below found in the article here VoiceOver should work with the native workout and health apps.Use Accessibility features on your Apple Watch

"VoiceOver

VoiceOver is a built-in screen reader that lets you know what’s happening on your Apple Watch, and helps you navigate it, even if you can’t see it. VoiceOver supports many languages, and all native apps — such as Mail, Calendar, Maps, and Messages — are built to be VoiceOver compatible."

You may also be able to add a complication to your Apple Watch to make checking your readings with VoiceOver easier. The article here can assist. Monitor your heart rate with Apple Watch - Apple Support

However, for full details and assistance with using VoiceOver with your Workouts or the Health app on your Apple Watch connect with Apple Support directly. The article here and information below can get you connected. Contact - How to Contact Us - Apple

"If you are a customer with a disability and utilize our accessibility features such as VoiceOver or MFi Hearing devices, call (877) 204–3930 for direct access to Apple representatives who are trained in providing support for these services."

Best.

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Answer 2

ptorpey Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 5, 2023 3:07 PM in response to OrigamiFan1

Thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately they do not solve the issue that I described.

I am very familiar with using Voiceover and can interact with my heart rate on the Apple Watch.

The problem is, that when having my phone nearby and my AirPods with noise cancellation connected to the phone, any audio from the watch comes directly out of the watch. Thus, with noise canceling earbuds on, the blind user cannot interact with the watch, only the phone.

I have sent various queries to accessibility@apple.com and their response is to "pass along my suggestion/problem to the appropriate department", and that is the end of the conversation.

Anyway, thanks again.

--Pete

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Having Siri speak heart rate through Airpods when using Apple watch

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