Speaking aloud to voice assistants in quiet offices, crowded commutes, or public libraries is often awkward or impractical. While Apple’s voice assistant has long supported voice queries, iOS 18 completely re-engineers silent text interaction with Type to Siri. On devices powered by Apple Intelligence, Type to Siri transforms from a hidden accessibility switch into a first-class, lightning-fast input method triggered with an intuitive double-tap gesture on the bottom of the screen.
What Is Type to Siri in iOS 18?
In previous versions of iOS, enabling Type to Siri was an all-or-nothing toggle buried inside Accessibility settings that permanently replaced voice activation whenever you pressed the Side button. With iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence, Apple introduced a flexible hybrid model:
- Instant Double-Tap Activation: You can summon the Type to Siri keyboard at any moment simply by double-tapping the bottom indicator bar of your screen, while holding the Side button or saying “Siri” continues to handle spoken voice commands normally.
- Glowing Edge-to-Edge Interface: Type to Siri features a refined visual interface where the entire perimeter of your iPhone display illuminates with an animated chromatic glow, floating a compact text box directly above your keyboard.
- Contextual & App Awareness: Type to Siri maintains context across queries. You can ask “What’s the weather in London?” followed immediately by typing “What about tomorrow?” and Siri understands the subject seamlessly.
- Universal Availability: If your device does not support Apple Intelligence, standard Type to Siri remains fully functional through Accessibility preferences.
How to Enable and Use Type to Siri on Apple Intelligence Devices
On iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPhone 16 models running iOS 18.1 or later with Apple Intelligence enabled, Type to Siri is active by default. Here is how to configure and trigger it:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Navigate to Apple Intelligence & Siri.
- Tap Talk & Type to Siri.
- Ensure Type to Siri is toggled to On.
- To invoke it from any application or home screen, double-tap the home indicator bar at the very bottom edge of your screen.
- The screen edges will radiate with the signature Apple Intelligence gradient glow, and a minimalist text input pill will slide into view with your keyboard ready.
- Type your prompt (for example, “Set a 20-minute laundry timer” or “Convert 50 GBP to EUR”) and tap the upward arrow or Go button.
- Siri presents the answer as a compact, non-intrusive card at the top of your display.
How to Enable Type to Siri on Older or Non-Apple Intelligence iPhones
If you are using an iPhone model that does not support Apple Intelligence (such as an iPhone 13, 14, or standard iPhone 15), you can still utilise Type to Siri via Accessibility settings:
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap Accessibility.
- Under the General section, select Siri.
- Toggle Type to Siri to On.
- Now, whenever you press and hold the physical Side button, your iPhone launches a text composition field instead of listening for your voice.
Sample Type to Siri Workflows for Daily Efficiency
Because typing allows for complex and nuanced queries without verbal hesitation, Type to Siri excels across practical daily routines:
- Silent Alarm and Timer Configuration: Type “Wake me up at 6:45 AM tomorrow” or “Start a 45-minute countdown” in quiet environments without speaking aloud.
- Fast Device Setting Toggles: Type “Turn on Low Power Mode”, “Disable Bluetooth”, or “Enable Do Not Disturb until tomorrow morning” to skip digging through deep Settings menus.
- Unit Conversions and Math: Type “150 kmh in mph” or “Divide 240 by 6” for instantaneous numeric answers.
- Natural Language App Navigation: Type “Show me photos from Edinburgh last July” to open the Photos app filtered directly to the requested album.
Managing Typing Suggestions and History
As you type, Siri displays dynamic predictive autocomplete pills above the keyboard based on your frequent actions and current on-screen context. Tapping a suggestion executes the action immediately, reducing typing time to just a couple of taps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still use voice commands when Type to Siri is enabled?
Yes. On Apple Intelligence devices, double-tapping the bottom bar triggers Type to Siri, while saying “Siri” or holding the Side button still responds to spoken voice commands. On older devices with Accessibility Type to Siri enabled, voice input can still be triggered hands-free using the “Hey Siri” voice trigger.
Does Type to Siri require an active internet connection?
Many basic requests—such as launching apps, setting timers, configuring alarms, and toggling device settings—process entirely on-device via Apple’s local neural engine without requiring Wi-Fi or cellular data.
Can I dismiss Type to Siri without sending a query?
Yes. Simply swipe down on the text pill or tap anywhere in the blurred background area above the keyboard to dismiss the interface instantly.