iOS 11 lets you text requests to Siri instead of talk

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Sorry, Alexa: Siri still the most widespread AI assistant
iOS finally has a command line.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Talking to Siri can be a bit embarrassing when you’re in crowded public spaces, but with iOS 11, Apple is finally allowing users to submit questions to the digital assistant via text.

Apple didn’t mention the new feature during its WWDC 2017 keynote, however it’s already become one of our favorite additions in the new beta because it gives iPhone and iPad owners the closest thing yet to a command line.

To enable the feature, follow these steps:

1 – Open the iOS Settings app
2 – Go to General >> Accessibility >> Siri
3 – Toggle the switch for ‘Type to Siri’

Now instead of communicating to the iPhone user via the speaker, Siri will instead show a text entry box when you long press the home button.

Siri text input

With the text input screen open, you can type out any commands or requests that you have for Siri. If you made a typo, you can even go back and edit your text.

The answers are then displayed like normal in text and with Siri’s voice coming out of the speaker. Should you ever get tired of typing out your questions to Siri, you can toggle the setting back off by going through the Settings app.

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