Siri response settings once allowed a choice between "Always", "Only when silent mode is off", and "Only with 'Hey Siri'". Settings in ios 16 are "Automatic" and "Prefer spoken response". Automatic doesn't recognize that when Do Not Disturb is on, I don't want a voice response when I use the side button. Is there a new way to handle this?
I also do not care to have Siri speak its responses aloud. Prior to iOS 16 one used to be able to keep Siri from responding aloud through the iPhone speaker by setting the “Hands-Free Only” option in Siri’s preferences. That setting is not present in iOS 16 … the only options are “Automatically” or “Prefer Spoken Responses", neither of which (frustratingly) hush Siri up. Even when the phone is held up to my ear the "on-device intelligence" didn't discern that I prefer not to have my eardrums blasted by the spoken responses.
(SIGH) Another useful setting removed for no (apparent) reason.
BUT, although one cannot mute Siri completely one can make Siri speak so softly as to be practically inaudible.
The trick is to have Siri look up something lengthy (“Siri, what is the Gettysburg address?”) and then have Siri read the entry it returns. WHILE SIRI IS SPEAKING lower the volume using the button on the left side until it is as low as it can go. Now Siri speaks so softly you can’t really hear it.
Other sound levels for the device ... ringer, music playback, and so on ... should be unaffected.
So far this hasn’t affected hearing Siri through my AirPods and hopefully won’t affect CarPlay. For now I’m content. I did report the issue to Apple.
iOS 16 - Disabling Siri Spoken Responses - Apple Community
I also do not care to have Siri speak its responses aloud. Prior to iOS 16 one used to be able to keep Siri from responding aloud through the iPhone speaker by setting the “Hands-Free Only” option in Siri’s preferences. That setting is not present in iOS 16 … the only options are “Automatically” or “Prefer Spoken Responses", neither of which (frustratingly) hush Siri up. Even when the phone is held up to my ear the "on-device intelligence" didn't discern that I prefer not to have my eardrums blasted by the spoken responses.
(SIGH) Another useful setting removed for no (apparent) reason.
BUT, although one cannot mute Siri completely one can make Siri speak so softly as to be practically inaudible.
The trick is to have Siri look up something lengthy (“Siri, what is the Gettysburg address?”) and then have Siri read the entry it returns. WHILE SIRI IS SPEAKING lower the volume using the button on the left side until it is as low as it can go. Now Siri speaks so softly you can’t really hear it.
Other sound levels for the device ... ringer, music playback, and so on ... should be unaffected.
So far this hasn’t affected hearing Siri through my AirPods and hopefully won’t affect CarPlay. For now I’m content. I did report the issue to Apple.
iOS 16 - Disabling Siri Spoken Responses - Apple Community
robwyoung wrote:
Not yet. Where would I do that?
I posted here as I couldn't find any reference to the change in Apple's resources.
Same discovery here. Unacceptable given my situation. Seems the only solution is to mute the device,which creates cascading other problems.
Hopefully there are fixes for this.
Not yet. Where would I do that?
I posted here as I couldn't find any reference to the change in Apple's resources.
Yes I have.
I've now sent feedback, as well. Hoping someone has found a solution.
Thank you ericsiegel01. That worked for me.
siri reponse settings changed in ios 16
