Apple’s AirPods have a function that allows Siri to read out users’ text messages as soon as they arrive. While this feature sounds cool, it can be annoying sometimes as it interrupts other activities. Here’s how to turn off AirPods from reading texts.
To disable Siri’s ability to read your texts, tap on the Settings app top open it on your iPhone. A new page will open, displaying the dialogue box “Announce Messages with Siri.” You’ll notice that “Announce messages from” and “Announce messages with Siri” are available because of the green toggle. Ensure that ‘Announce messages using Siri’ is turned off by pressing the toggle.
Following the above steps will help you deactivate this feature and ensure that your Apple AirPods stop reading texts.
How to Stop AirPods from Reading Texts From Your iPhone
There are two ways to disable your AirPods from reading your iPhone’s messages:
- Remove Announcing Messages with Siri from the Control Center via Settings; or
- Turn it off or temporarily disable it
If you never intend to use the Announce Messages feature, you use the first option. Follow these steps to proceed.
- Navigate to Settings
- Open the Control Center and click Announce Messages
- Tap the negative sign (-) next to Announce Messages
Once you remove this from the control center, Siri will never announce incoming messages. On the other hand, you can disable the Announce Messages feature temporarily through the Control Panel on your iPhone. This is the best option if you intend to use the feature later.
To disable this feature temporarily, follow these steps:
- Swipe down from the upper-right corner of the screen to see the control panel
- Tap the Announce Messages icon to turn it off
- Until you switch it back on, it will remain disabled.
You also have the option to deactivate it for a set period. Hold the Announce Messages symbol in your hand until a menu opens. This menu will give you the option to mute announcements from as little as a hour to the entire day. The Announce Messages feature will come on after the period you specified.
How to Stop Texts From Reading Texts From Your Apple Watch
Fortunately, you can also turn off the Announce Messages feature on your Apple Watch via Siri. It operates similarly to iPhone’s Control Center. Here’s how to disable your iPhone’s AirPods from reading texts.
- Swipe up from the bottom of your Apple Watch to open the Control Center
- Then, to switch off the feature hit the Announce Messages with the Siri symbol
Alternatively, you may tap and hold the icon to bring up a menu. The menu lets you disable Announce Messages for an hour or the entire day. When the timer expires, the Announce Messages feature will automatically be activated again.
Why Deactivate the “AirPods Read Texts” Message Option?
Using Announce Messages with Siri, you can have Siri read a text message over any other app you’re engaged in. Siri interrupts podcasts, audiobooks, and music to announce messages that may or may not be relevant at the time. As a result, many users don’t use the feature.
Conclusion
There, you have it! Now you know it’s easy to stop AirPods from reading texts. And what’s great is you can control this feature with either your iPhone or Apple Watch.