Can I use Vocal Shortcuts when iPhone is locked?

hi will the iphone process the vocal shortcuts if the screen is locked

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 14

Posted on Jan 21, 2025 9:43 PM

Similar questions

Accessibility: VoiceOver activated, iPhone needs passcode, result confusion A friend called me to say they were completely stuck with their iPhone. When I looked it was on the passcode screen (after a restart - so bio recognition was inactive as well) with the six dots compressed in size. Every time she touched a key the phone spoke into her ear (she had a connected hearing aid). Siri would not help because it required the passcode as well before it would activate. It took me quite a while to work out what was going on. My friend had inadvertently enabled VoiceOver which meant that normal screen operations did not function (since VoiceOver seems to be designed for situations where you cannot see the screen). I found out later that there is a support page for the special VoiceOver gestures, but at the time I was faced with a situation whereby I could not find a way to enter a passcode. Somehow I finally worked out that the way to enter the passcode, say 123456, was to click once on the digit '1' to give it focus, then double-click on that digit to register it, and then repeat that for the other passcode digits, all the time the Voice telling you what you are doing and occasionally adding in 'JKL' and 'DEF' for good measure. This took a while i can tell you, but once done I could ask Siri to turn off VoiceOver and all was normal again. Alternatively you can navigate to Settings/Accessibility/VoiceOver. To do it this way remember to follow the single/double click routine, which takes some getting used to. VoiceOver is incredibly valuable for those who need it but is confusing if you activate it without realising it. Also I am not sure why the normal gestures are disabled. I hope this helps someone!!
1710 1
Voice Control issue on iPad mini Voice control doesn’t respond to commands and can’t get it to type the passcode, therefore can’t turn it off in settings. [Re-Titled by Moderator]
660 1
How can I disable VoiceOver when iPad screen is locked? Turn off voice over on iPad mini when screen is locked [Re-Titled by Moderator]
586 1

3 replies

brbo

Level 8

42,687 points

Feb 2, 2025 11:15 PM in response to huzefatv

Re: will the iphone process the vocal shortcuts if the screen is locked

For iOS 18 and above: Yes. Seems it will.

*May be wise to use less common words or phrases to avoid accidentally triggering a vocal shortcut.)

This third-pary (non-Apple) online article:

Eg: says:

"The action is triggered even if your iPhone is locked so you can use vocal shortcuts to complete complex tasks without even touching or unlocking the device".

huzefatv Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 3, 2025 12:52 AM in response to brbo

thank u so much

brbo

Level 8

42,687 points

Feb 3, 2025 3:42 PM in response to huzefatv

Thank you kindly for replying, and for letting us know we are appreciated! Cheers :-)

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Can I use Vocal Shortcuts when iPhone is locked?