Where Is Siri on iPhone Apple Remote App

Question

Level 1

89 points

Where Is Siri on iPhone Apple Remote App

I have lost my Apple TV remote (it slipped through the couch pillows right to the carpet and the couch is so heavy that we can't move it). So I am controlling Apple TV with the pictured app on my iPhone. The way my setup works is that I use a Harmony Universal Remote (Logitech) to turn the system (Sony TV, Sony receiver, Apple TV) on and when watching through Apple TV, the sound is controlled by the HUR. So this all works fine but I do miss the voice commands that I had with the Apple Remote. As you can see from my screenshot, the small mic icon that's used for Siri commands is missing. Is there a way to use Siri with the iPhone Apple TV remote app ?

iPhone 11 Pro, iOS 15

Posted on Jul 9, 2022 02:46 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Urquhart1244

Level 10

145,674 points

Jul 10, 2022 02:53 AM in response to ttibsen

the couch is so heavy that we can't move it.

If you lost $60 in there, would that motivate you to get a few people together to move it anyway?

As you can see from my screenshot, the small mic icon that's used for Siri commands is missing. Is there a way to use Siri with the iPhone Apple TV remote app ?

Press-and-hold the right side button on iPhone to Siri functionality, while the software remote is active/up front.

Control Apple TV with iOS or iPadOS Control Center - Apple Support

Reply

Answer 2

Urquhart1244

Level 10

145,674 points

Jul 10, 2022 09:53 AM in response to ttibsen

the Right side of the iPhone has 2 buttons - which one am I supposed to press and hold?

The other right … 😉

The volume buttons and mute switch are on the left, when the screen is facing you. The Sleep/wake button is on the right. That hasn’t changed since iPhone 6, I believe.

attachment/2ae6a092-13b6-40b3-a486-c96c2f4f6508

small mic icon

That mic icon is functional for dictation when text input fields are highlighted, but not for Siri questions and commands. Use Siri dictation on Apple TV - Apple Support

It is a bit finicky through the software remote, but it should confirm dictation activation by showing an audio visualizer line.

Note that Siri on Apple TV requires the correct language and region, or it won’t work. Here’s where you can use Siri - Use Siri on your Apple TV - Apple Support

Also verify that Siri has been activated in Settings﹥General﹥Siri﹥.

Reply

Answer 3

ttibsen Author

Level 1

89 points

Jul 10, 2022 08:59 AM in response to Urquhart1244

Yes - I would consider having my neighbours' help for $60 but I'm not going to throw out my back for the remote, particularly when its superslim design makes it likely that it would find its way between the cushions again.

<< Press-and-hold the right side button on iPhone to Siri functionality >> - the Right side of the iPhone has 2 buttons - which one am I supposed to press and hold? I tried both and neither worked to restore Siri functionality. However -

this dialog box came up when I selected the search window in YouTube and I got all excited since there was the small mic icon which held out the promise that I could use Siri after all but no dice - tapping on the mic symbol didn't get me the use of Siri.

Reply

Answer 4

ttibsen Author

Level 1

89 points

Jul 10, 2022 11:39 AM in response to Urquhart1244

Duh ... ... I am so embarrassed !! That is what happens when I sit at the desktop too long. OK, now that I have taken a walk around the block to clear my overtaxed brain, let's resume our discussion. So let's go back to the situation in which I am trying to give voice commands via Siri while in the Search window of YouTube - this of course assumes that I am using the remote software app on the iPhone. Pressing on the RIGHT (I do absolutely have the correct button this time 🙃) button, does give me the audio visualizer line (I had no idea what that was called so thanks for that bit of info) but it's straight as an arrow and unwavering instead of bouncing up and down all over the place as it used to do when I had the Apple remote. And sure enough, it is not receptive to dictation - meaning that it doesn't transcribe my words into text on the screen. So I guess I'm a bit further along but I still don't have Siri functionality with the iPhone remote.

Also verify that Siri has been activated in Settings﹥General﹥Siri﹥ - I'm sure it has been, since Siri is activated when I say "hey Siri"

Reply

Answer 5

Urquhart1244

Level 10

145,674 points

Jul 10, 2022 02:39 PM in response to ttibsen

it does give me the audio visualizer line […] So I guess I'm a bit further along but I still don't have Siri functionality with the iPhone remote.

We’ll get there. :) But please also try something else than YouTube for text input, to rule out app oddities.

Getting the line means that you have activated the dictation function correctly.

You should see the line reacting while it receives sound input.

Also verify that Siri has been activated in Settings﹥General﹥Siri﹥ - I'm sure it has been, since Siri is activated when I say "hey Siri"

Apple TV doesn’t listen to “Hey Siri”. Your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or HomePod may listen to that phrase, but Apple TV does not. Apple TV wants users to speak with the Siri button on the (physical or software) remote activated.

I meant verification as in: Look up in Settings if it says Siri: On, or Siri: Off. Please don’t assume, but check.

Same for Dictation: that also has an on|off switch in Settings﹥General﹥.

For dictation, keep the button pressed while speaking.

(Same for Siri: press the button, speak, let go of the button.)

Reply

Answer 6

ttibsen Author

Level 1

89 points

Jul 11, 2022 02:22 PM in response to Urquhart1244

so yes, those settings are both on but still, all I get is an unresponsive audio visual line. I give up, I'll get a few people together and move that **** sofa - it's really heavy since it's got reclining chairs built into it at either end. I guess the remote on the iPhone was not meant to be a total replacement for the hardware remote. I enjoy 90% functionality with the iPhone remote so I should be happy with that.

Reply

Answer 7

ttibsen Author

Level 1

89 points

Jul 11, 2022 09:37 AM in response to Urquhart1244

Reply

Answer 8

Jul 10, 2022 08:29 PM in response to ttibsen

you might want to try shortcuts app and create a command automation code to use it

Reply

Answer 9

ttibsen Author

Level 1

89 points

Jul 11, 2022 09:40 AM in response to JeromeJohnson

I don't understand - would this be on top of using the Apple remote app on the iPhone or does it replace it entirely? In either case, I have no idea as to how I would go about doing it.

Reply

Answer 10

Urquhart1244

Level 10

145,674 points

Jul 11, 2022 12:43 PM in response to ttibsen

I’m sorry that I wasn’t clear enough. Please verify the settings for Siri and Dictation on your Apple TV box, in Settings﹥General﹥. That’s a different Siri with different settings and functionality.

Reply

Where Is Siri on iPhone Apple Remote App

Similar questions