How do I fix unresponsive Siri and inaccurate Dictation on iPhone?

Hello crisi144,

Thank you for posting your experience with Siri to this Apple (user-to-user) Community!

Re: " Siri and dictation aren’t working correctly. I’m trying to figure it out but not succeeding. Siri won’t even respond to me and dictation is hit or miss. "

Am no expert in this area, yet Apple does provide many helpful articles online that may help troubleshoot.

✽ You can check out any (or all} of those below that you think may help solve the issues

✽ else:

have provided links at the bottom where you could reach out for help from the accessibility experts at Apple.

✽ Siri needs to hear you clearly in order to respond appropriately: You might want to check your microphone is working properly, and is not obstructed by a speck of dirt or wax:

What to do: If the microphones on your iPhone aren't working - Apple Support:

✽ Wondering if your iOS version is up-to-date, as that, (or re-starting your device) will often restore order if something is not working as expected.

{Eg: Restarting will delete temporary files, re-establish connections, and may update recent setting changes etc.)

You can check for updates in Settings > General> Software updates. If an update is available, it is always wise to back-up your iPhone first, if you intend to update your iOS version.

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Re: "I don’t know if it’s a setting or accessibility that I maybe I turned something on or off?"

✽ Apple support have a useful article online : See what to do: If Siri isn't working on your iPhone - Apple Support

✽ Maybe also browse through: Change Siri settings on iPhone - Apple Support to check all is in order.

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✽ Wondering whether you are using General "Keyboard", settings for Dictation,

or

✽ maybe you use "Voice Control" settings for dictation on your iPhone: If so, the video below may have tips:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-ykg3jZ9_k

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Re: " I can’t get Siri to answer me by voice and it won’t show me a transcript of my conversation so I turned o. The bottom to press and talk to Siri. That brings Siri up but the whole response is not good. I rely on Siri a lot and this has me very confused and upset. Usually I can figure out what went wrong but idk this time."

✽ Siri generally learns from you, and gets better at knowing what you want, so, sorry this is not working for you.

You may want to browse through Siri's accessibility settings:

Eg: See: Change Siri accessibility settings on iPhone - Apple Support

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✽ Else: You may want to reach out to Apple's Accessibility Support Team:

How to contact Apple for help with accessibility features - Apple Support

or

✽ Apple's Accessibility Support Website (NB: You can "Get Support" from the link at the bottom of their website:)

Accessibility Support - Official Apple Support

All the best :-}

Go to Settings > Apple Intelligence and Siri or Siri, whichever you see > Talk and Type to Siri > Turn off then turn it back on to any option. You will be asked to read a set of prompts in which Siri will get to better know your voice and respond to it.

I am having the same problem on my brand new iPhone 16 (not Max but I'm seeing the same complaints here and elsewhere), IOS 18. I'm convinced this thing is a lemon. All the Siri and dictation-related options are turned ON. I turn them on and off, and I turn the phone on and off and sometimes that fixes it and sometimes it doesn't.

For example, Siri has been up all day today (not the case yesterday) but dictation has been down all day. There is no time frame when these functions are working consistently and I will be darned if I am going to be turning my phone on and off every hour to get its major functions to work.