Yes, we can change Siri’s name. “Néstor, send a message to…” is a perfectly viable request with the right setup. No more Siri or Hey Siri. Let’s talk about how the Voice Shortcuts feature in iOS 18 allows us to make this change.
Jarvis, turn on the lights
Voice Shortcuts completely transform the way we interact with Siri, adapting the assistant to our own preferences and needs. For example, we could set it up so that when we say “Take a screenshot,” a screenshot is captured automatically. At the same time, it lets us change how we address Siri.
Setting up a Voice Shortcut to personalize Siri’s name is actually very simple. The best part is that this doesn’t replace Siri’s name—it just adds a new option. So, once we’ve set it up, we can still call our assistant “Siri” if we prefer. How do we do it? Here are the steps:
- Open the Settings app on our iPhone.
- Go to the Accessibility section.
- Select Voice Shortcuts.
- Tap on Set Up Voice Shortcut.
- Continue and choose Siri from the end of the list — making sure not to confuse it with “Ask Siri.”
- Enter the new name we want to use.
- Say the chosen name or phrase out loud three times, allowing the system to adjust to our voice.
- Finish by tapping Continue.
How to use the new Siri command
When activating Siri with the new command, we need to make a brief pause between saying the name and giving the request, so Siri has time to activate before hearing the command. Other than that, the assistant is ready for anything we need.
It’s important to note, though, that this name won’t sync across devices—so if we want it on multiple devices, we’ll need to set it up individually, following the same steps.
Of course, Voice Shortcuts go far beyond just renaming Siri. From launching apps to adjusting system settings—like turning up the volume or opening Control Center—this feature is highly effective. Effective and fully customizable for hands-free interaction with our devices.
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