How to Ask Siri to Send, Read and Reply to Text Messages

Using Siri to send a text message to a single contact or multiple recipients in your address book is quick and straightforward. It’s possible to have a conversation with someone via text message without having to touch your iPhone screen.

Siri can send new messages and read replies to you. If your phone is locked, Siri will ask you to unlock it before sending a message. This security measure prevents anyone from sending messages using your device.

You can also send messages with an Apple Watch, HomePod, and even from your Mac.

In this article, we’ll show you how to:

  1. Send a message using Siri.
  2. Send a message to more than one person at the same time.
  3. Ask Siri to read out text messages.
  4. Ask Siri to reply to messages.
  5. Use third-party apps to send messages.

How to send a new text message with Siri

First, activate Siri on your device using one of these methods.

iPhone/iPad

  • Press and hold the Side/Home button until Siri appears.
  • By saying “Hey Siri”.

Read more about how to set up and use Siri on your iPhone.

Apple Watch

  • By saying “Hey Siri”.
  • By pressing and holding the Digital Crown.
  • By using Raise to Speak.

Read more about how to set up and use Siri on your Apple Watch.

HomePod

  • By saying “Hey Siri”.

Read more about how to set up and use Siri on your HomePod.

Mac

  • Say “Hey Siri”.
  • Press the Siri button.
  • Use a keyboard shortcut.
  • Use Type to Siri.

Read more about how to set up and use Siri on your Mac.

AirPods

  • AirPods: (1st generation) Double-tap either of your AirPods to activate Siri, then make your request.
  • AirPods: (2nd generation) Double-tap either of your AirPods to activate Siri, then make your request.
  • AirPods Pro: Press the Force Sensor on either of your AirPods to activate Siri, then make your request.

Once Siri is listening, send a message by saying a contact’s name or phone number:

Hey Siri, send a message to Jason.

Hey Siri, send a message to ‘dictate phone number’.

Siri will then ask you what you want to say.

Send a message using Siri
Send a message using Siri

You can also include the message and recipient’s details in the same phrase:

Hey Siri, message Jason ‘I’m running 10 minutes late’.

Say a contacts and the message at the same time
Say a contacts and the message at the same time

From iOS 16, you can now dictate emoji in a message; just say:

Hey Siri, tell Jason I’m nearly there smiley face emoji.

You can dictate emoji in a message
You can dictate emoji in a message

There’s a lot you can do with Siri and dictation; take a look at our Siri Dictation Guide for a complete list of dictation commands.‍

Once you’ve finished dictating, Siri will then confirm the message back to you and ask what you’d like to do next:

Send it.

Cancel it.

Review it.

Change it.

Speak the option of your choice. Once the message is completed, Siri will ask you if you want to send it. To deliver the message immediately, say “Yes”.

Send messages automatically in OS 16

iOS 16 introduced an Automatic Message sending feature. When enabled, Siri will no longer ask you if you are sure before sending a message.

To turn this on, go to:

  • Settings > Siri & Search.
  • Scroll down and tap on Automatically Send Messages.
  • Toggle to on.
Enable Automatically Send Messages
Enable Automatically Send Messages

How to send a message to more than one person at the same time

To send a message to several contacts at the same time, say their names when making your request:

Hey Siri, send a message to Jane Smith and John Smith.

Siri will automatically group the recipients and ask you to dictate the message.

How to ask Siri to read text messages

Siri can read out the messages you receive. You can either request to hear your most recently received message or ask for the last message sent by a specific contact.

Hey Siri, read my last message.

Hey Siri, read my last message from Jason.

Hey Siri, read me new messages from Jane.

If you want to hear a message read out again, say:

Hey Siri, read it again.

How to reply to a message with Siri

Once Siri has read out the message, it will ask you if you would like to reply. Say “Yes” or “No” depending on your preference, then dictate your message.

You can respond by saying ‘reply’ or ’tell’; Siri will understand both commands:

Hey Siri, reply ‘I can’t wait to see you’.

Hey Siri, tell them I’m going to be late.

If you decide to reply at a later time, you can speak your message:

Hey Siri, reply ‘yes, I’m on my way’.

Siri will reply to the last message you received or to the message you are currently looking at. Siri will confirm the message and recipient is correct before sending it. If Siri can’t find a contact to reply to, Siri will ask for a name.

How to respond to messages in other ways

You can reply to a message by asking Siri to call or FaceTime the contact. As before, Siri will figure out whom to call by checking who your most recent message was from or who’d message you’re reading.

Hey Siri, call him.

Hey Siri, FaceTime her.

Send a message using a third-party app

You can send a message using another service if you specify which app you want to use when making your request.

Hey Siri, text Jane ‘I’m running 10 minutes late‘ on WhatsApp.

Whether you’re using an iPhone, Apple Watch, or HomePod, Siri can be a great way to send and reply to messages. It’s straightforward to use and an excellent alternative for those looking for something more convenient than using onscreen keyboards.

Want to discover more about using Siri, Apple’s popular virtual assistant? We’ve written a helpful collection of tutorials full of techniques for using apps, dictation, using Siri Shortcuts, and a comprehensive beginner’s guide to activating and using Siri.