How can I stop Siri making calls?

Question

Level 1

6 points

How can I stop Siri making calls?

Is there any way to remove Siri’s dialling capability?

I often use voice control when I’m listening to music or podcasts. I listen to my iPhone 16 pro max on airpods (2 IIRC). I listen when I’m driving and when I’m doing gardening work (usually brush-cutting). Particularly when I’m gardening, I don’t have a hand free - I’m wearing a face shield, safety glasses, gloves, a harness etc.

When I try to fast forward or skip, most of the time it works, but once in a while she calls someone.

”Hey Siri, fast forward”

”Calling Steve M”

or she seems to choose from two or three other contacts. Sometimes she asks for confirmation, other times she just goes right for it, and I have to scramble to take off gloves etc, grab my phone out of a pocket and hang up. This is not just unwanted, it’s embarrassing. Some contacts are friends in different time zones, and some are tradespeople or work contacts. Twice recently I’ve had to explain to a roofer that I didn’t mean to call him.

I don’t want Siri to be able to call anyone, ever. I don’t need that feature and I don’t use it. I’ve got “Voice Dial” disabled in “Face ID and Passcode” but it hasn’t made a difference.

How can I take away her ability to do this?

iPhone 16 Pro Max, iOS 26

Posted on Dec 21, 2025 3:21 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 21, 2025 4:04 AM in response to davidhicks

Siri never initiates a cellular voice call on its own. Even if Siri misinterprets part of a conversation as a request to call “Mr. X,” the person it dials will typically be someone you’ve recently spoken with—not a random contact you’ve never engaged with. Siri does not place calls to unfamiliar names in your contact list without your interaction. With that in mind, the most reliable safeguard remains locking your iPhone.

Settings → Siri & Search → Ask Siri → Turn off “Allow Siri When Locked.”

Please keep the iPhone screen locked when not in use.

If Voice Control is turned on, your iPhone may dial a number accidentally if you say a number that is similar to a contact's name. To turn off Voice Control, go to Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control and toggle the switch to the off position.
If your iPhone is connected to a car stereo via Bluetooth, the stereo may be programmed to automatically dial the last number that was called on certain conditions. To check this, consult your car stereo's manual.
Some cars or car accessories come equipped with motion or proximity sensors that can trigger certain actions, including automatic dialing from the recent call list when your iPhone connects to the car's Bluetooth system. Here's how it might work:
1. Motion detection: Some cars have motion sensors that detect when the car is in motion. When the sensor detects movement (e.g., when you start driving), it can trigger specific functions or actions in the car's infotainment system, including initiating a call from your iPhone's recent call list.
2. Proximity detection: Additionally, some cars have proximity sensors that can detect when your iPhone is in close proximity to the car's Bluetooth system. When your iPhone comes within range of the car's Bluetooth signal, the car's system might automatically establish a connection and perform preconfigured actions like redialing the last number.

To disable this feature or adjust its settings, you may need to explore the car's infotainment system settings or consult the car's user manual to find information about controlling automatic dialing or other features related to Bluetooth connections.

It's worth noting that the presence and functionality of these sensors can vary depending on the car's make, model, and year of manufacture. Also, the way they interact with your iPhone and its settings may vary. If you're unsure about how to manage these settings, it's a good idea to check the car's manual or consult with the car manufacturer or dealership for specific guidance.

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Answer 2

davidhicks Author

Level 1

6 points

Dec 21, 2025 5:43 AM in response to SravanKrA

> Even if Siri misinterprets part of a conversation as a request to call “Mr. X,” the person it dials will typically be someone you’ve recently spoken with—not a random contact you’ve never engaged with.

Not what’s happening at here. I barely remember who Steve M is, best guess someone I worked with over ten years ago, before I even owned an iPhone. The roofer is someone I spoke to *once* eight months ago.

> Settings → Siri & Search → Ask Siri → Turn off “Allow Siri When Locked.”

Is that going to allow me to continue to fast forward podcasts with voice control when my phone’s in my pocket and I’m listening on AirPods? Or is this the “baby out with the bath water” option that makes her completely unresponsive when the phone is locked? That’s a significant irritation and loss of functionality if I then need to unlock or use a physical control to skip forward, or send a WhatsApp message or whatever else.

voice control is already off
It happens more when I’m out of the car using my AirPods than when I’m in the car, and it’s never been the last number, just Steve M or a couple of others. And it’s always been in response to me saying “hey siri, fast forward”.
See 2

I need a way to stop her making calls, it’s clear she misunderstands me sometimes, I don’t expect the tech to be 100% perfect on that front.

But I do expect to be able to control a failure cases like this

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