Adding reminders via Siri AI when iPhone is locked

I’ve just added Siri AI under iOS 27. I habitually add reminders to a shopping list through my AirPods while my phone is in my pocket. Since migrating over to Siri AI I can’t update my reminders when the phone is locked. Very frustrating to lose access to such a basic feature when moving to something we’ve been told is a more advanced model.

iPhone 16 Pro, iOS 27

Posted on Sep 18, 2026 10:15 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 19, 2026 9:20 AM

CogBrat84 wrote:
None of these options are available to me, I’ve reverted to Siri classic until I can get confirmation that this new version is at least as good as what came before.

Sorry, it seems like the user you replied to just relied on an AI response to provide their answer and did not actually test on a device. You are correct there is no such Setting of Siri & Apple Intelligence or Siri & Search on iOS 27 and there is no option for Personal Requests in that location either.


On my device using Siri AI, I am able to add items to my Shopping List using my AirPods when the phone is locked and I have not found any Setting that would be different where it would not work for you. I also have not found anyway to prevent the ability to add items to the Shopping List through the AirPods when the phone is Locked. One other thing I can recommend is to make sure your AirPods are using the latest Firmware version as mine is showing 9A348. Check the Support Article here to see if you are on the latest version and the steps to update.

About firmware updates for AirPods - Apple Support


Another thing that may be worth trying is to retrain your voice by going to Requests in the Siri Settings and turn it off, then back on. I am using the iPhone 17e and see that you and another user have the iPhone 16 Pro, where I would not expect that the iPhone 17 or greater to be a requirement and it is not documented that is the case. To get an answer from Apple for what you are experiencing, I could only recommend to contact them directly or if you have an Apple Store nearby, schedule an appointment where you can show them exactly how it is working on your device.


It would be nice to get some kind of answer from Apple why it can be working for some with Siri AI on a locked phone using AirPods and not others.

15 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 19, 2026 9:20 AM in response to CogBrat84

CogBrat84 wrote:
None of these options are available to me, I’ve reverted to Siri classic until I can get confirmation that this new version is at least as good as what came before.

Sorry, it seems like the user you replied to just relied on an AI response to provide their answer and did not actually test on a device. You are correct there is no such Setting of Siri & Apple Intelligence or Siri & Search on iOS 27 and there is no option for Personal Requests in that location either.


On my device using Siri AI, I am able to add items to my Shopping List using my AirPods when the phone is locked and I have not found any Setting that would be different where it would not work for you. I also have not found anyway to prevent the ability to add items to the Shopping List through the AirPods when the phone is Locked. One other thing I can recommend is to make sure your AirPods are using the latest Firmware version as mine is showing 9A348. Check the Support Article here to see if you are on the latest version and the steps to update.

About firmware updates for AirPods - Apple Support


Another thing that may be worth trying is to retrain your voice by going to Requests in the Siri Settings and turn it off, then back on. I am using the iPhone 17e and see that you and another user have the iPhone 16 Pro, where I would not expect that the iPhone 17 or greater to be a requirement and it is not documented that is the case. To get an answer from Apple for what you are experiencing, I could only recommend to contact them directly or if you have an Apple Store nearby, schedule an appointment where you can show them exactly how it is working on your device.


It would be nice to get some kind of answer from Apple why it can be working for some with Siri AI on a locked phone using AirPods and not others.

Sep 20, 2026 12:56 PM in response to jtice

jtice wrote:
Same issue.

As in you cannot do it using paired AirPods like the OP in the post you replied too, or are you attempting to add items to the Shopping List using just your phone when the screen is locked?

  • As verified, you can certainly add items to the Shopping List with the phone locked when using AirPods and Siri AI. If you are unable to do that, then please confirm that is what you are trying to do.
  • If you mean you cannot add item directly to the phone when the screen is locked using Siri AI, then you are correct it will need to be unlocked first. Since the iPhone does not have Voice Recognition to identify the user, the Reminders app is now considered Personal Information when using Siri AI, just like Messages and Contacts that will not allow access without authentication. The only device that provides Voice Authentication is the HomePods, so no one else other than you can add items to your Shopping List there either, or make calls or send messages. You can do it with paired AirPods and connected Bluetooth vehicle for a Hands-Free operation using those devices. You can certainly send Feedback to Apple here:

Feedback - iPhone - Apple


Sep 20, 2026 12:25 PM in response to CogBrat84

Same issue. I spent like 45 minutes with Tech Support, trying to figure out what the deal was, and finally, she found in documentation somewhere Siri access to Reminders from the lock screen was disabled. But she also misinformed me that it’s not possible to revert to Classic Siri, and I just realized that it is by reading this thread.


Adding items to my lists was one of the most useful things Siri did. It’s nuts that they disabled that in the course of upgrading to a more powerful Siri. I have reverted to classic and I will not use Siri AI unless/until they get this mistake fixed. Everyone should complain.

Sep 19, 2026 8:00 AM in response to CogBrat84

I have the same problem with an iPhone 16 Pro.

I used to be able to just add items to a list from across the house, now it always asks me to unlock my iPhone first.


I have tried every possible solutions that I found on the web (and asking Siri) but nothing worked. This makes Siri essentially useless.


I can't believe that with all the resources they have they do such a sloppy job.

Sep 20, 2026 12:34 PM in response to mehrab84

100% Truth.

when you talk to Apple support they continue to tell you to tap Siri & Apple Intelligence or Siri & Search. They get mad when you tell them those options aren’t available. Only Siri appears in the settings.

I get frustrated with them and just close out the chat or hang up on them.

if nobody has noticed Apple has started Outsourcing Support. When I call I can barely understand what they are saying and I request US Support and then they hand up on me.

Sep 20, 2026 1:02 PM in response to Hoo63

Hoo63 wrote:
Siri & Apple Intelligence or Siri & Search isn’t available in iOS 27. Just Siri.
Third from the bottom.
https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/45087e91-2d47-448d-82fd-eb9c97d5dc7b

Yes, that has been addressed. Apparently the user you replied to just used an AI response and did not test on an actual device to confirm the information they provided was accurate. One of the many problems on relying solely on AI, it is only as good as the data used for training.

Sep 21, 2026 1:17 PM in response to CogBrat84

CogBrat84 wrote: "...until I can get confirmation that this new version is at least as good as what came before."

CogBrat ~ This thorough, thoughtful multi-part review may provide confirmation:


Siri AI – "Siri AI is a breath of fresh air in the AI landscape right now"


The New Siri – "The new Siri is a much smarter, more capable, and nicer Siri than before"


Siri as a General Assistant – "I believe pervasive, reliable on-screen awareness has the potential to reshape how we think of Siri. It takes a while to accept that Siri can be this good and versatile: I still struggle sometimes to remember that, when looking at Reminders, I can say “mark the second one as done”, or that I can look at a calendar event and say “email the participants that I’ll be 10 minutes late”, and Siri will draft a message with Mail about it. I think others will go through a similar “reset phase” as they figure out that Siri is actually pretty great for this stuff now"


The SIri App – "I’ve come to appreciate Siri AI for what it is – a much better, smarter Siri"


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Sep 18, 2026 1:50 PM in response to CogBrat84

Ensure your phone recognizes your voice as an authenticated owner through your AirPods.

  • Go to Settings > Siri & Apple Intelligence (or Siri & Search).
  • Tap Personal Requests.
  • Ensure Personal Requests is turned on for your AirPods, and check if Require Authentication can be set to Never for basic tasks. (Note: If this option is grayed out or fails due to iOS 27 restrictions, proceed to the options below). 


2. Check "Allow Siri When Locked"

Make sure the baseline lock screen permission didn't get flipped off during your migration.

  • Open Settings > Face ID & Passcode.
  • Scroll down to the Allow Access When Locked section.
  • Ensure Siri is set to on here

Adding reminders via Siri AI when iPhone is locked

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