Apple’s new iOS 18 beta update introduces Vocal Shortcuts, which allows users to customize Siri. With this feature, users can use a custom wake-up word of their choice to activate Siri. For example, instead of “Hey Siri”, you can wake Siri with a word like “Selin”. This new feature aims to provide alternative ways to access system features, especially for users with disabilities.
Apple’s iOS 18 gives Siri the ability to define a custom wake word
Using the Vocal Shortcuts feature, it’s quite simple to define a new wake-up word for Siri. Open the Settings app, go to Accessibility and click on Vocal Shortcuts. Select “Set Up Vocal Shortcuts” and then select “Siri” (not Siri Request). From here, type in the new name you want to use to activate Siri, for example “Selin”.
Once you have set your new name, you can say it to activate Siri on your iPhone. However, this feature only works on iPhone and doesn’t sync with other devices, such as HomePods, so you’ll still need to use the “Hey Siri” command on those devices.
According to posts on Reddit, when activating Siri with Vocal Shortcuts, you have to wait a short while before giving a command. Instead of saying one sentence at a time, such as “Hey Siri, what time is it?”, you must first say the wake word, wait, and then give the command. This delay may reduce the likelihood of this feature being preferred for continuous use. However, you will still be able to activate Siri with the command “Hey Siri”.
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Vocal Shortcuts is not limited to activating Siri. With voice commands, you can run any shortcut, trigger apps, take screenshots, change the volume, scroll the page, activate Control Center, and more. Instead of voice commands, you can also pair these shortcuts with a custom voice.
The Vocal Shortcuts feature Apple introduced with iOS 18 aims to make Siri and other system features more personalized and accessible to users. This feature provides a great convenience especially for disabled users, while offering a fun and useful experience for other users. Defining a special wake-up word for Siri can further enrich users’ iPhone experience.
