To use Siri from the Lock Screen on an iPhone, turn on Allow Siri When Locked. On iPhones with Apple Intelligence, go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri; on other iPhones, go to Settings > Siri (or Siri & Search on older iOS). Then press and hold the side button (or the Home button on an iPhone 7 and other Home-button models) while the phone is locked, or say “Siri” or “Hey Siri.”
Turning the setting off does the opposite: Siri won’t respond until the iPhone is unlocked, which stops others from using it on your locked phone.
Quick Answer
Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri (or Siri) > turn on Allow Siri When Locked.
Turn On Siri on the Lock Screen
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apple Intelligence & Siri or Siri, depending on your iPhone and iOS version.
- Turn on Allow Siri When Locked.
- Make sure a way to activate Siri is on: Press Side Button for Siri (or Press Home for Siri) and/or Talk to Siri.
There’s also a matching switch in Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode) under Allow Access When Locked. Both must be on.
Use Siri While Locked
- Face ID iPhones: Press and hold the side button.
- Home button iPhones (like iPhone 7): Press and hold the Home button.
- Hands-free: Say “Siri” or “Hey Siri,” if Talk to Siri is on.
What Siri Can Do When Locked
| Usually allowed while locked | Usually requires unlocking |
|---|---|
| Set timers and alarms | Reading your messages aloud in full |
| Ask about weather and facts | Opening most apps |
| Make calls | Viewing photos or personal data |
| Control music playback | Changing many settings |
Privacy Considerations
With Allow Siri When Locked on, anyone holding your phone can make calls or send some messages through Siri. If that concerns you, turn it off and keep Siri available only after unlocking. You can also stop Siri from reading incoming messages; see how to turn off Announce Messages.
On your watch, see how to open recent apps on Apple Watch.
While you’re in Settings, you can also show your battery percentage.
Troubleshooting
- Siri doesn’t respond on the Lock Screen: Check both switches: the one in Siri settings and the one under Face ID & Passcode.
- “Hey Siri” doesn’t work: Turn Talk to Siri off and on to retrain your voice, and keep the phone face up. For earbuds, see Hey Siri not working on AirPods.
- Siri says to unlock first: That request needs access to personal data. Unlock and ask again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I allow Siri when locked?
It’s convenient for hands-free use. Turn it off if you’re worried about someone else using your phone.
Does this affect Siri on my Apple Watch?
No. Apple Watch has its own Siri settings in the Watch app.
Where is the setting on iPhone 7?
On an iPhone 7, go to Settings > Siri & Search and turn on Allow Siri When Locked.
Summary
- Open Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri (or Siri).
- Turn on Allow Siri When Locked.
- Check Allow Access When Locked under Face ID & Passcode.
- Press and hold the side or Home button to use it.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.