VoiceOver issue on iPhone 15: Unable to enter passcode and access Siri

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Level 1

5 points

VoiceOver issue on iPhone 15: Unable to enter passcode and access Siri

The screen goes black. I've rebooted multiple times, which was an ordeal in itself, and when it comes back on, it just talks. Apparently, voice over is on and I don't know how. (I was actually on a phone call when this all started happening). I've not found much info on this type of problem and what I did find was totally unhelpful.

I tried double tapping the screen with 3 fingers to Zoom out. Does nothing.

I clicked the side button 3 times to see if I could bring up the Accessibility menu. Nothing.

Saying "Hey Siri" does nothing.

Siri is useless now, which is odd because even when my phone is "locked" I can access Siri. As a matter of fact, the passcode screen says "Enter passcode to unlock Siri" ???

When I do enter my 6-digit passcode, nothing happens; it just announces the numbers I press. So, I figured out I must enter each number twice in order for the passcode to be accepted and the field to light up. Again, after I successfully enter my CORRECT code, nothing happens. Again, rebooting does nothing.

Can't turn off voice over if you can't get to accessibility.

Can't tell Siri to disable Voice Over because Siri is unavailable/locked.

Can't access Siri without unlocking the phone.

Can't unlock phone because passcode cannot be entered/accepted.

I got help from a professional IT tech friend who couldn't figure out what to do, either. We worked on this for more than an hour to no avail.

BTW I am definitely entering the right code--I've had it for years and when we both entered the same 6-digit code on my iPad, it works fine. I just got this phone from Verizon brand new about a year ago and seriously regret leaving my iPhone 8 that NEVER gave me any problems.

Does anyone know what I'm talking about or experienced this before? I don't know how or why. This feels like a soft/hardware malfunction?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: My iPhone 15 talks every time I touch anything. I cannot enter passcode to unlock, and Siri is unavailable.

Posted on Sep 11, 2025 12:10 AM

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Answer 1

Sep 11, 2025 07:35 AM in response to DMurfJr

With Voiceover on you must do each action twice. To enter your passcode tap each digit twice.

Then go to Settings/Accessibility and turn it off.

Here’s more details→iOS: Understanding Siri and VoiceOver voices

And→Turn on and practice VoiceOver on iPhone - Apple Support

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Answer 2

DMurfJr Author

Level 1

5 points

Sep 11, 2025 12:31 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

Yes. thank you! I figured out that I had to enter it twice; the passcode field would light up but still kept telling me the passcode was incorrect. I did notice, however, that each time I entered the passcode twice, although it was accepted, the initial number always stayed highlighted. It wouldn't highlight the number I was pressing at the time; it just kept the initially number highlighted. My friend and I figured this may be the problem but wasn't sure.

I powered down the device and kept it off for a few minutes. This time when it restarted, and I entered each number twice, the number I would enter would FINALLY highlight and this time when it accepted my passcode and I was able to turn off Voice Over. Thanks again!

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