Ask Siri to read out and send 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.

• Be sure to check out the most popular Siri dictation commands.

Activate Siri on an iPhone by using one of these options:

1. Say “Hey Siri” followed by your request.
2. Press and hold the Side button (iPhone X and newer) or Home button (iPhone 8 and older) on your iPhone.

(If this doesn't work, learn how to set up Siri on an iPhone).

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 John

Hey Siri, read me new messages from Jane

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.

Replying to and sending new text messages with Siri

To send a message, activate Siri by pressing the side button or home button on older iPhones or by saying “Hey Siri” if you have the feature enabled.

Hey Siri, send a message to Jane

Hey Siri, send a message to dictate phone number

Siri will then ask you to dictate your message. Read our Siri dictation guide for a complete list of dictation commands.‍

What do you want to say?

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

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

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’.

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

To send a message to several people at the same time, just 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.

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