Siri, Apple Intelligence, and search
Allow Siri When Locked
Most people call this whether Siri works without unlocking the phone.
This decides whether Siri responds and reads information aloud from a locked iPhone.
This setting is present on your iPhone.
- We have this path on file but have not yet confirmed it against an official source.
Where to find it - iOS 13 and later
- Settings
- Face ID & Passcode
- Allow Access When Locked
- Siri
What it does
With it on, anyone holding your locked phone can ask Siri to read messages, call a contact or add a reminder. With it off, Siri asks you to unlock first.
What changes
When it is on
Siri works from the Lock Screen.
When it is off
Siri asks you to unlock before doing anything sensitive.
Should you turn it on?
Good reasons to turn it on
- Hands free use while driving without unlocking.
- Quick timers and reminders without touching the phone.
Good reasons to turn it off
- A stranger cannot ask Siri who you are or read your messages.
- It closes a real gap in Lock Screen privacy.
Battery
No real change
Privacy
Helps
Performance
No real change
Cellular data
No real change
Storage
No real change
Out of the box: On.
Where this setting used to live
Apple moves settings between releases. This is every location we have on file.
-
iOS 13 and later
Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Allow Access When Locked > Siri
-
iOS 13 and later
Settings > Touch ID & Passcode > Allow Access When Locked > Siri
Questions people actually ask
- Can someone use Siri on my locked iPhone?
- Yes, unless you turn off Siri under Allow Access When Locked in Face ID and Passcode.
If it is not working
- It sits in the Allow Access When Locked list under Face ID and Passcode.
- Turning it off does not affect Siri once the phone is unlocked.
- Emergency calling is never blocked by this.