Among the many exciting new features baked into Apple’s recent iOS 10 software update, Siri has become a whole lot smarter than she’s ever been before. Not only can you now talk to Siri in a more natural, conversational tone of voice, but Apple’s highly-acclaimed personal voice assistant has been more deeply implemented in iOS 10. For instance, Siri has amassed a new wealth of contextually-based, natural language capabilities, allowing users to speak to her as they would a friend or acquaintance. And she responds more accurately, too, so you can get more done in less time than it’s ever taken before.
Check out our exclusive list of the top 25 Siri commands in iOS 10, and learn all about how Siri can help you like you never thought possible:
1. Send a Text Message the Natural Way: Now you can send text messages using your natural speaking voice. For instance, you could tell Siri, “shoot a text message to my mom saying [insert what you want to say here]”, and she’ll take care of it for you.
2. Order a Ride From Uber or Lyft: Need an Uber or Lyft somewhere? As long as the apps are installed and you’re logged in, Siri can order a ride for you via the service of your preference.
3. Search For Pictures on Pinterest: Looking for a specific picture, based on a specific topic, on Pinterest? Just ask Siri for help, and she’ll show you exactly what you want to see.
4. Search For Apps Using The Roll: ‘The Roll’ is a great 3rd party app, similar to Apple’s Photos, that allows you to store your location-based images for easy viewing and access. And, in this instance, you can now use Siri to locate and present specific images taken at certain times. For instance, ask Siri to find “the best photo” taken at “[such and such event] last Summer.”
5. Send Money To Someone: If you’ve ever used the Square Cash or Venmo apps to send money to your friends or family, then doing so just got a whole lot easier in iOS 10. Just ask Siri to send the precise dollar amount, to whom, and she’ll take care of everything.
6. Place a VoIP Call: Need to call your family, friends, or boss at work? You can now ask Siri to place those calls for you, using several different VoIP apps, including Viber, WeTalk, Skype, and others.
7. Send a Message Using WhatsApp: Using the popular social networking/communications app, WhatsApp, you can now send a message to your contacts using the sound of your voice. For example, try saying, “Hey Siri, using WhatsApp, send a message to Michael saying I’m on my way.”
8. Send a Message Using LinkedIn: Using Siri via the popular social/business networking site, LinkedIn, you can also send a message to specific contacts within your network. For instance, try saying, “Hey Siri, send a message using LinkedIn to Patrick saying ‘congratulations on the new job’.”
9. Use Siri with Apple’s CarPlay: Whether you’re trying to set a reminder, place a phone call, or change the song, Apple’s Siri/CarPlay integration in iOS 10 is sure to make your commute much more enjoyable. For example, if you’d like to place a call to someone, just ask Siri to do it for you over speaker.
10. Better Contextual Predictions Using QuickType: We’ve all used Apple’s QuickType to compose messages before, right? But did you know that in iOS 10, Siri can now help you be more accurate, based on her ability to retrieve saved data — such as calendar entries — from other apps? Try sending a message, for example, saying, “Hey Siri, send a text message to Chris saying I’ll be there when my dental appointment is over,” and Siri will automatically be able to retrieve the exact time your appointment ends, so long as it’s scheduled on your calendar.
11. Quickly Access Suggested Apps: Siri knows more, even if you’re not directly talking to her, in iOS 10. For example, the iOS keyboard might suggest certain apps when you’re typing the name of them in text messages, and so, in that instance, Siri will then present you with additional details about that app.
12. Quickly Access Suggested Locations: 3rd party app developers can now send location information directly to the Maps app in iOS 10. So, for argument sake, when you have a specific, eligible app downloaded, you’ll be able to access certain tidbits of information pertaining to that app directly from Siri via the Maps app.
13. Schedule a Calendar Event: In iOS 10, you can now use Siri (who will in turn use specific details found within message or email threads) to schedule Calendar events on specific days and times. For example, if you’ve spoken roughly with your friend Matilda about getting coffee on April 29th at 2:15 pm, and that time slot is already occupied by another event, Siri will let you know as you’re communicating with her about scheduling that event.
14. Multilingual Typing: Trying to communicate in two different languages within the same sentence? Siri now makes it easier than ever before to do it! Gone are the days when you’d have to switch between multiple keyboards; now you can simply ask Siri to send a message in Spanish/English, or any other combination of languages available on the iOS platform, for that matter (there’s a ton of them!)
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15. Ask Siri to Beatbox For You: While not new to iOS 10, specifically, you can always get a good laugh out of Siri by asking her to beatbox for you. Make sure you’ve got your volume turned up, and then simply ask Siri to “beatbox” — you won’t be disappointed!
16. “Hey Siri” Commands: On newer iPhones and iPads, such as the 6s, 7, and iPad Pro, users have the option to enable “Hey Siri” commands. So wherever you are in the room (within a reasonable distance from your iPhone), you could simply say “Hey Siri” to activate a plethora of unique, app specific commands.
17. Call Someone Hands-Free Using Siri: Supposing the “Hey Siri” feature is enabled, you can always ask Siri to place a call. For instance, “call mom on speaker,” and Siri will place the call for you via the connected audio output source.
18. Ask Siri to Remind You About Something Later: Where ‘something’ can essentially be anything… Just ask Siri, for example, to remind you about a webpage you’re looking at, or about an email you recently received, by saying “Siri, remind me about ‘this’ later’,” and you’ll be reminded at a later time. You can see a step by step guide on how to set a reminder on your iphone by using Siri and other commands here.
19. Ask Siri To Tell You a Bedtime Story: Just say it! You know you want to 🙂 “Siri, tell me a bedtime story, please,” and what she’ll say in response is pure gold.
20. Control HomeKit devices: If you have any HomeKit devices connected to your HomeKit app in iOS 10, you’ll be able to ask Siri to control those devices. For instance, ask Siri to “turn off the kitchen lights.” And assuming those lights are registered in your iOS 10 HomeKit app, Siri will be able to shut them off (or turn them on) by the sound of your voice.
21. Change The Name Siri Refers to You By: Have you always dreamed that your name was something other than what it is? Perhaps Hercules, or Batman, or maybe even Honey Muffin? Whatever suits your fancy, you can ask Siri to call you by that name. By default, Siri will refer to you by your real name, but you can always change it by simply telling her the name you’d like to be called, and then confirming.
22. Add an Item to Your Shopping List: Heading to the grocery store but forgot to add something (say, sausages, for instance) to your shopping list? Just ask Siri to add it for you! No typing, no rummaging for lists in the Notes app. Just ask Siri to “add [insert the item here] to your grocery list”, and so long as you’ve titled the list accordingly, it will be done.
23. Advanced Natural Voice Dictation: Have you ever used Siri to type out your messages or emails for you? Try emphasizing your specific requests while doing this, such as “add a comma,” “hashtag,” “copyright sign,” or certain emojis, such as “wink face,” for example, and watch as your spoken words become intricately poignant, grammatically correct statements.
24. Quickly Settle an Argument With Your Friends: Even get into an argument with your friends that requires a bit of fact checking? Why, just ask Siri for the answer! She knows a lot more than you think, and can easily provide specific answers to questions like “who starred in [such and such] film? Or who wrote [this or that] song?
25. Speaking of Songs… Play a Song in iTunes/Apple Music: Most of you likely know this trick already, but just in case you’ve been on the outs, you can always ask Siri to play a specific track in your iTunes library, or look up and play a particular song in Apple Music, so long as said song be available.
What’s your favorite Siri trick in iOS 10? Let us know in the comments!