Siri will not read text messages in my car unless I unlock the phone.

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Level 1

31 points

Siri will not read text messages in my car unless I unlock the phone.

I have an iPhone 14 pro, running iOS 17.1.2. Siri will read my text messages when the phone is locked, unless I’m in the car! Which of course is when I need it most. If I’m in the car it tells me “you have to unlock your iPhone first“

This is true for several features that normally respond when the phone is locked, however not when I’m using it through my car. This includes the weather app.

I have tried the fixes that are already mentioned in this community. My settings for notifications are turned to always. And all the notifications are turned on to allow when screen is locked. Is there anything else someone can think of to fix this.

this is one of the things I hate about Face ID. The old phones I could just reach in my purse and tap my finger on the button and go ahead with whatever it needed. However with the advent of Face ID it just doesn’t work. It almost never recognizes my face in the car, and it requires me to take my eyes off the road

iPhone 14 Pro

Posted on Dec 18, 2023 2:11 PM

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Answer 1

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,357 points

Dec 18, 2023 2:26 PM in response to sebeth

Is it possible that you have a Focus set for while you are driving? Do you use CarPlay?

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Answer 2

Mar 29, 2024 5:19 AM in response to sebeth

SOLVED - I had this same issue when I went from iPhone 8 to a 14 that used Face ID instead of thumbprint on the home button.

Go to Settings > Notifications > Show Previews…turn that to “Always”. Mine was set to “only when unlocked”.

That worked for me. Now I can just say “Siri read my messages” and she does it. Hope it works for you.

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Answer 3

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,357 points

Dec 24, 2023 11:21 AM in response to sebeth

I had never heard of Siri Eyes Free, so I Googled this. It appears it is a feature of Nissan automobiles. I suggest that you check with your Nissan dealer to check if there is a setting that you need to change in the vehicle to have Siri read your texts.

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Answer 4

sebeth Author

Level 1

31 points

Dec 20, 2023 11:41 AM in response to sebeth

Amended, December 20, 2023:

Siri will no longer read text messages without unlocking the screen at all. Up until yesterday it would read the text messages with the screen locked, but not if I was in my car. What the heck is going on Apple!

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Answer 5

sebeth Author

Level 1

31 points

Dec 24, 2023 2:36 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

You will have to Google further. It’s actually available on a number of the vehicles. It used to work perfectly, it is only recently that I started having problems. It worked perfectly in my Jeep for years.

From IPhone user guide:

With Siri Eyes Free (available in select cars), use your voice to control features of your iPhone without looking at or touching iPhone. To connect iPhone to your car, use Bluetooth® (refer to the user guide that came with your car if you need to). To activate Siri, press and hold the voice command button on your steering wheel until you hear the Siri tone, then make a request.

From JD Powers:

Pros and Cons of Siri Eyes Free

Benefits of using Siri Eyes Free include:

Easy to set up and use. Simply establish a Bluetooth connection.

Access Siri with ease with the simple push of a steering wheel button and using your voice.

Siri Eyes Free is multi-function, from sending and receiving messages to getting directions.

No drain on the battery. Because the app uses the car's built-in display, it doesn't need to run on the phone's battery as regular Siri does.

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Answer 6

sebeth Author

Level 1

31 points

Dec 19, 2023 9:59 AM in response to ChrisJ4203

Good suggestion, but no I do not have any focus set at this time. I’m not using CarPlay this is going through Siri Eyes Free

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Siri will not read text messages in my car unless I unlock the phone.

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