The raise to speak feature on Siri does not work

Have you enabled it in settings?

does it not work consistently - i found it sometimes worked and sometimes didnt - for awhile it would work when i held the phone to my right hear but not my left - have you tried a reset on the iphone?

Also, just to remind the OP, the screen has to be on by sliding to unlock. Many people don't realize this when using raise to speak. The screen can't be locked.

I have been told that in order for the "raise to speak" function to be activated, the phone must sense a twisting motion while you raise it. I've tried this with varied degrees of success. But it does make sense that it would require additional movement in order to avoid unwanted triggering of the function.

Still, quite frustrating and definitely not fool-proof. I hope this is something Apple will address in subsequent updates.

I upgraded to iOS 6 and the raise to speak function that always worked stopped working. I went to the Apple Store in Tigard, OR (Portland) and the genius's phone also did NOT work.

You have to push the home button while you're raising it to light up the screen. It seems Apple may have made this a requirement to conserve battery. I've noticed this ever since the iOS 6 betas were around and it's in the final version too.

After reading these posts, at least with my iPhone 5, it does seem to be a bit tricky. It seems to definiately require a bit of a twisting motion to work and as Tim said, seems most times it requires a push of the home button to get it to work when raised. Not the push and hold for siri type of push, just a refresh the screen type of push. And it seems like it has a timer if you wait too long from that push. Also, I am using an Otterbox Defender case which seems to make it more finicky than when it is without a case on. With no case, sitting, push to light screen and raise to my ear with a slight jerk motion, Siri worked about 90% of the time. In the case it took some getting used to but was about 75% of the time.

At least case solved for me, I thought my proximity sensor was buggered up! Thank you all and especially your tip Tim!

I had the same problem (iPhone 5), but the fix was simple.

Turn off your Bluetooth. Yeah, I know this sounds crazy. Here's why.

When you use Siri with the "Raise to Speak" feature activated (Settings/General/Siri), this enables the proximity sensor that lets the iPhone know it is near your ear, activates Siri, and turns off the display.

However, if you are using a bluetooth headset (like I do), then this sensor is turned off automatically, because you will be speaking thru your bluetooth and not the iPhone to activate Siri and make calls.

To prove this, do the following test.

Make sure "Siri" is on, and "Raise to Speak" is on (Settings/General/Siri).

Turn off your Bluetooth (Settings/Bluetooth).

(TEST) Hold your phone in front of you, and with a natural motion, bring the phone to your ear (as if you are answering a call). Siri will automatically activate, assuming you want to ask it/her a question (very cool feature). And the screen will turn offautomatically.

If you have never used the "Raise to Speak" feature, this feature automatically activates Siri when you raise the phone to your ear (really a cool and helpful feature). It may take a little practice to get used to this. I struggled at first, but soon got the hang of using a natural motion to bring the phone to my ear. Starting with the phone in front of you, the phone should be "almost" parallel to the ground when it gets to your ear. It may take several practice tries to get it, but you will get it, and you will be hooked on this neat little feature.

Ok, with this done, this proves your proximity sensor is funtioning properly.

Now, turn on your Bluetooth (Settings/Bluetooth).

And repeat the same (TEST) above.

This time, Siri should not activate, and the screen should not go off. Why? This is because your voice communications with callers (and Siri), are now going thru your Bluetooth, and not the phone handset. Because of this, their is no need for the proximity sensor, so it is automatically turned off (when Bluetooth is on).

I can only speak for me and my situation, and what worked for me. However, their may be other issues regarding the proximity sensor separate of this that I am not aware of.

I hope this helps you.

Man I love the "Raise to Speak" feature, you will too.

God Bless You All.

Thanks for the post. Unfortunately trying your change did not work

Mine worked a few times then stopped. Now I have a rattling sound when I move my iPhone. I just purchased the phone. I really wanted to use this feature.

Mine worked a few times then stopped. Now I have a rattling sound when I move my iPhone. I just purchased the phone. I really wanted to use this feature

Ok, I've solved this. Gary touched upon this, but it was not clear.

You have to start with the phone in front of you, held parallelto the floor (ie. held flat horizontally), then bring it up to your ear so it's vertical. Your hand must rotate from the horizontal to vertical position of the phone.

If you start with the phone vertically in front of your face, then move it to your ear Siri will NOT activate.

They key is starting with the phone held horizontally. The motion from horizontal to vertical is necessary.

This is illustrated on page 39 of the iPhone User Manual.

Try rebooting the phone after enabling the Raise-to-speak feature.

1) The phone's screen needs to be lit before you lift it to your ear (just press the home button once)

2) Start by holding the phone in front of you in a natural reading position, or, simply hold it parallel to the floor like Frank mentioned

3) lift the phone to your ear as if you were answering a call - with the phone's bottom (home button) close to your mouth while the top of the phone next to your ear (so the phone is natually slanted as it would when you talk on the phone)

4) wait for the double-beep. this can take a second, so don't pull the phone away from your ear too fast!

5) Talk to Siri!