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06 Numbers and Powers

How to Turn Off Siri Listening on Apple TV

Card No. 06·6126 · Updated · Standard formula, shown below

This guide shows you how to disable Siri’s always-on listening on your Apple TV, so it no longer responds to the wake phrase “Hey Siri”. You’ll still be able to use Siri by holding the Siri button on the remote. You’ll need your Apple TV remote and access to the Settings app.

What You’ll Need

  • Apple TV (any model with Siri support, 4th generation or later)
  • The Siri Remote (or Apple TV Remote)
  • Your Apple TV must be powered on and showing the home screen

Step-by-Step

  1. From the Apple TV home screen, open the Settings app. Its icon looks like a gear.
  2. Scroll down and select General.
  3. Scroll down and select Siri.
  4. Look for the option labeled Listen for “Hey Siri”. It will have a toggle switch next to it.
  5. Click the toggle to turn it Off. The switch will turn gray, and the text may change to indicate it’s off.
  6. Press the Menu button on your remote a few times to exit Settings. Your change is saved automatically.

After this, saying “Hey Siri” near your Apple TV will do nothing. To use Siri, press and hold the Siri button (the one with the microphone icon) on your remote, then speak your request.

Common Mistakes

  • Turning off Siri entirely: If you toggle off the main Siri switch at the top of the Siri settings page, you disable all Siri features, including the button. Make sure you only turn off “Listen for ‘Hey Siri’”.
  • Looking in the wrong place: Some users search for “Siri” in the main Settings menu, but the option is under General > Siri, not a separate top-level item.
  • Not pressing the toggle correctly: On older Siri Remotes, you may need to click the touch surface to select the toggle, then click again to change it. Simply swiping won’t work.
  • Assuming it’s off after a software update: After a major tvOS update, Siri settings can reset to default. Check this setting again if you notice “Hey Siri” working unexpectedly.

Tips

  • Use the button instead: Holding the Siri button on the remote is often faster and more reliable than voice activation anyway, especially in a noisy room.
  • Check your other devices: Even with this off, your iPhone, iPad, HomePod, or Mac might still respond to “Hey Siri”. If you want to stop all devices from listening, you’ll need to adjust settings on each one.
  • Privacy benefit: Turning off “Hey Siri” means your Apple TV won’t be continuously listening for the wake phrase, which some users prefer for privacy.
  • Re-enable easily: If you change your mind, just go back to Settings > General > Siri and turn “Listen for ‘Hey Siri’” back on.

Troubleshooting

If you followed the steps but “Hey Siri” still works, or you can’t find the setting, try these fixes:

  • Restart your Apple TV: Go to Settings > System > Restart. Sometimes a simple reboot ensures settings are applied.
  • Update tvOS: Go to Settings > System > Software Updates > Update Software. If an update is available, install it. Older versions may have different menu layouts.
  • Check if Siri is enabled at all: In Settings > General > Siri, make sure the main “Siri” toggle is on. If it’s off, the “Listen for ‘Hey Siri’” option may be grayed out or hidden.
  • Reset all settings: As a last resort, go to Settings > System > Reset > Reset All Settings. This won’t erase your apps or data, but it will revert all preferences to defaults. You’ll need to set up Wi-Fi and other preferences again.
  • Contact Apple Support: If none of the above works, there may be a hardware or software issue. Reach out to Apple Support for further help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will turning off “Hey Siri” disable the Siri button on the remote?

No. The Siri button on the remote still works. You just need to press and hold it to activate Siri.

Can I still use “Hey Siri” on my HomePod to control the Apple TV?

Yes. If you have a HomePod, you can still say “Hey Siri” to it, and it can control the Apple TV (like playing a movie or pausing). This setting only affects the Apple TV’s own microphone.

Does turning off “Hey Siri” improve privacy?

It reduces the amount of time the Apple TV is listening for the wake phrase. However, Apple states that Siri doesn’t send audio to servers until it detects “Hey Siri”, so the privacy difference is minimal but still exists for those who prefer not to have any listening enabled.

Will this affect other Siri features like dictation?

No. Dictation (using the on-screen keyboard’s microphone) and the Siri button still work normally.

Why isn’t the “Listen for ‘Hey Siri’” option showing up?

This option only appears if Siri is enabled and your Apple TV supports it. All Apple TV 4th generation and later models support Siri, but check that Siri is on in Settings > General > Siri. If it’s off, turn it on first.

Can I turn off Siri completely?

Yes. In the same Siri settings menu, toggle off the main “Siri” switch. This disables both “Hey Siri” and the Siri button. You can turn it back on anytime.

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