How to Change Siri's Voice and Accent

Don't like the way Siri sounds? Change it!

by
Daniel Nations
Daniel Nations
Writer
Daniel Nations has been a tech journalist since 1994. His work has appeared in Computer Currents, The Examiner, The Spruce, and other publications.
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Daniel Nations
Updated on April 29, 2021

What to Know

  • Change Siri's voice by going to Settings > Siri & Search > Siri Voice.
  • Choose from American, Australian, British, Indian, Irish, and South African male and female voices.
  • As of iOS 14.5, Siri no longer has a default voice. iPhone and iPad users can pick one while setting up their device for the first time.

This article explains how to change Siri's voice and accent on devices running iOS 9 and later, and iPad OS 13 and later.

How to Choose a New Accent or Gender for Siri

With the iOS 14.5 update, Apple eliminated a default voice option for Siri. Instead, iPhone and iPad users can pick from a number of diverse options when they set up their device for the first time. After that initial setup, they can change how Siri sounds in the Settings app. Here's how:

  1. Open Settings on your iPad.

    Settings icon on iPad
     Lifewire

  2. Tap Siri & Search.

    Siri & Search icon in Settings screen on iOS
     Lifewire

  3. Tap Siri Voice.

    Siri Voice option in Siri & Search screen on iOS
     Lifewire

  4. The Siri Voice screen shows all the options for Siri's voice. It currently supports four voices with American, Australian, British, Indian, Irish, and South African accents.

    Apple adds new voices periodically. For example, Apple added an Indian voice for English speakers beginning with iOS 13 and iPadOS 13.

    Siri's voice settings in iPadOS

  5. To preview the Siri voices, tap an accent or gender option. Siri will say, "I'm Siri, your virtual assistant" in the voice and accent chosen.

After you choose a new Siri accent, the iPad downloads a file for the voice.

How to Change Siri's Language

You can choose another language for Siri, which is great if you want to keep up your Spanish skills or use French.

To change Siri's language, go to the main Siri page (tap the Siri & Search link at the top of the screen) and choose Language. There are dozens of languages to choose from, including Chinese (Mandarin), Spanish, Russian, and Italian along with regional versions of most of them.

The Language option on the Siri & Search screen on iOS
 Lifewire

Siri also listens for commands in these languages, so you need to speak Russian to get an accurate Russian reply.

Other Changes to Make to Siri

While in the Siri settings, you can also customize when and how you activate the digital assistant. Use these settings if you're concerned about privacy or don't plan to use Siri often.

Option sliders on Siri & Search settings on iOS
 Lifewire

Don't Allow Siri When Your Device Is Locked

By default, you can activate Siri when your iPhone or iPad is locked, which is convenient. But it also lets anyone who picks up your device activate Siri. It won't launch apps without signing in, but it can place phone calls, set reminders, and show upcoming scheduled meetings.

Turn off 'Listen for Hey, Siri'

"Hey, Siri" is great when you're in the car or at the computer and don't want to take the time to press the iPhone Home button. But it also means your device is constantly listening to you. This voice recording isn't sent to Apple, but it can use up battery power, so if you don't use "Hey, Siri," turn it off.

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