Change Siri preferences on Mac

Enable Ask Siri

Use Siri to do everyday tasks, get quick answers, and more. To stop using Siri, deselect the checkbox. (Siri continues to learn from and make suggestions in apps.)

If you ask Siri something when the checkbox isn’t selected, you’re prompted to enable Siri. You must be connected to the internet to use Siri.

Listen for “Hey Siri” (available on some Mac models)

Listen for “Hey Siri” on AirPods (available when you pair AirPods that support Hey Siri)

Select the checkbox to be able to say “Hey Siri” to start using Siri, instead of clicking the Siri icon or using a keyboard shortcut. To stop using Hey Siri, deselect the checkbox.

This option is only available if your Mac or paired AirPods support Hey Siri.

If you turn off Ask Siri and then turn it on again later, you may need to set up Hey Siri again.

Allow Siri when locked

(available when Listen for “Hey Siri” is turned on)

Use Siri even if your Mac is locked or in sleep. Just say “Hey Siri,” then make your request. Depending on your request, you may need to unlock your Mac.

Keyboard Shortcut

The default shortcut to ask Siri is to press and hold the Command key and the Space bar at the same time.

To create your own shortcut, click the Keyboard Shortcut pop-up menu, choose Customize, then press the keys you want to use. For example, you could press Option-Z.

Language

Choose the language and dialect that you want to use to ask Siri; Siri will use the same language and dialect to speak to you. Siri is not available in all languages or countries or regions.

Siri Voice

Choose a gender (and sometimes dialect) for Siri. Some languages may not have an alternate gender or dialect.

Voice Feedback

Turn voice feedback (spoken responses) from Siri on or off. If you turn feedback off, the response from Siri is shown in the Siri window but is not spoken.

Siri History

Delete Siri requests and dictation interactions you’ve performed on this Mac from Apple servers. See Delete Siri and dictation history.

Show Siri in menu bar

Show the Siri icon in the menu bar—another way to quickly ask Siri.

Siri Suggestions & Privacy

Choose the apps that Siri can learn from and make suggestions in.

About Siri & Privacy

(available when you click Siri Suggestions & Privacy)

Click to learn how Siri sends the things you say and other information such as your name, your contacts, and other data to Apple to understand you better and recognize what you say.