Remove Siri from Touch Bar? Yes, Here’s How

Yes, you can remove the Siri button from the Touch Bar on a MacBook Pro. The Siri key is a system control that Apple does not allow you to delete entirely, but you can hide it from the Control Strip and replace it with a different function or a space, so it no longer appears on the bar. This article explains exactly how to do that, what the Touch Bar’s Control Strip is, and how to customize it to your liking.

What Is the Touch Bar Control Strip?

The Touch Bar is the thin OLED strip above the keyboard on MacBook Pro models from 2016 through 2020 (and some earlier 15-inch models). It replaces the traditional function keys (F1–F12, Esc) and adapts to whatever app you are using. At the right end of the Touch Bar is the Control Strip—a set of system buttons that are always visible, including brightness, volume, mute, and Siri. Apple includes Siri there by default because it is a system function, but unlike app-specific buttons, the Control Strip is user-configurable.

You can add, remove, or reorder buttons in the Control Strip, with one exception: the Esc key (on models that have it) cannot be removed. The Siri button, however, can be removed from the Control Strip. Removing it does not disable Siri itself—you can still activate Siri with a keyboard shortcut or by saying “Hey Siri” if enabled.

How to Remove the Siri Button from the Touch Bar

The process is straightforward and takes less than a minute. Here are the steps for macOS Ventura and later (the steps are nearly identical on older versions):

1. Open System Settings (or System Preferences on macOS Monterey and earlier). You can find it in the Apple menu (top-left corner) or by searching with Spotlight (Cmd+Space).
2. Click Keyboard in the sidebar.
3. Click the Customize Control Strip… button (or “Customize Touch Bar…” on older macOS). The Touch Bar will change to a customization mode, showing a palette of available buttons at the bottom and the current Control Strip at the top.
4. Find the Siri button on the Control Strip (it has a Siri icon, a colorful swirl). Drag it off the Touch Bar and drop it anywhere outside the bar—it will disappear with a poof animation.
5. If you want to add something else in its place, drag a button from the bottom palette (like a screen lock or a “Now Playing” button) onto the spot where Siri was.
6. Click Done at the bottom of the Touch Bar or press the Esc key on the Touch Bar to exit customization.

That’s it. The Siri button is gone from the Control Strip. If you ever want it back, repeat the steps and drag Siri from the palette back onto the bar.

What If You Want Siri Completely Gone?

Removing the button only hides it—it does not disable Siri. If you want to turn off Siri entirely (so it cannot be activated by accident), you need to disable Siri in system settings:

• Go to System Settings > Siri & Spotlight.
• Toggle off Ask Siri.
• You can also uncheck “Show Siri in Menu Bar” if you don’t want the menu bar icon.

Disabling Siri will also remove the Siri button from the Touch Bar automatically, but it also stops all Siri features, including dictation shortcuts that rely on Siri. If you still want dictation, you can enable it separately in Keyboard > Dictation.

Common Problems and Fixes

Sometimes the Siri button reappears or the customization doesn’t stick. Here are a few common issues and how to solve them:

• Siri button comes back after restart: This can happen if you have a third-party app that resets the Control Strip, or if you restored from a backup. Simply repeat the customization steps after the restart.
• Can’t drag the Siri button: Make sure you are in customization mode (the Touch Bar should show a palette of buttons). If it doesn’t, click “Customize Control Strip…” again. On some older macOS versions, you may need to click and hold the Siri button for a second before dragging.
• Touch Bar not responding: If the Touch Bar is frozen or unresponsive, restart your Mac. If that doesn’t work, reset the NVRAM (on Intel models) by shutting down, then holding Option+Command+P+R during startup.
• Customizations are reset by an app: Some apps (like BetterTouchTool) can override the Control Strip. If you use such an app, check its settings to ensure it isn’t forcing a layout.

Alternatives: Replacing Siri with Something Useful

Once you remove Siri, you can use that space for a button you actually use. Here are some common choices:

• Screen Lock: Locks your Mac immediately—handy if you step away often.
• Do Not Disturb: Toggles Focus mode quickly.
• Now Playing: Shows music controls (play/pause, next/previous) right in the Control Strip.
• Calculator: Opens the Calculator app.
• Sleep: Puts the Mac to sleep instantly.

To add any of these, enter customization mode and drag the button from the palette onto the spot where Siri was. You can also drag buttons to reorder them—for example, put brightness next to volume.

What About the Esc Key? (And Other System Buttons)

On Touch Bar models, the Esc key is a virtual button at the far left. Apple does not allow you to remove Esc, but you can hide it in some apps by selecting “Expanded Control Strip” in the Touch Bar settings. However, you cannot remove the system buttons like brightness, volume, or mute entirely—only Siri and a few others (like the “Now Playing” button) can be removed. The reason is that Apple considers those essential system functions, and removing them could leave you without a way to adjust them if the Touch Bar misbehaves.

If you want a full function-key row (F1–F12) instead of the Control Strip, you can hold the Fn key to temporarily show them, or change the default behavior in System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard > “Touch Bar shows” to “F1, F2, etc. Keys”. That will replace the Control Strip with function keys, but you lose the quick access to brightness and volume—unless you hold Fn.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will removing the Siri button disable Siri?

No. Removing the button only hides it from the Touch Bar. Siri remains active and can be triggered by holding Command+Space (if set), saying “Hey Siri” (if enabled), or clicking the menu bar icon if you have it.

Can I remove the Siri button on older macOS versions?

Yes, the customization feature has been available since macOS Sierra (10.12) when the Touch Bar was introduced. The steps are the same, though the settings are in System Preferences instead of System Settings.

Why does the Siri button keep coming back?

This usually happens after a macOS update or if you restore from a backup. Updates can reset the Control Strip to default. You can also check if you have a third-party app that manages the Touch Bar and is overriding your custom layout.

Can I add a custom shortcut to the Touch Bar instead of Siri?

Yes, you can add any app or a shortcut you create with the Shortcuts app (macOS Monterey and later). In customization mode, scroll to the bottom of the palette and look for “Shortcuts” or “Apps” sections. Drag the one you want onto the Control Strip.

What if my Touch Bar doesn’t show the Siri button at all?

That’s fine—it means someone already removed it, or you have a model that doesn’t include Siri in the default Control Strip (unlikely, but possible if the Mac was configured by an administrator). You can add it back by entering customization mode and dragging Siri from the palette.

Does removing Siri affect the “Hey Siri” feature?

No. “Hey Siri” is a separate setting found in System Settings > Siri & Spotlight. Removing the button has no effect on voice activation.

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