Siri reading your messages aloud through your AirPods can be a helpful hands-free feature, but it can also be an unwelcome interruption. Whether you’re in a meeting, trying to focus on a podcast, or simply prefer your privacy, having your notifications broadcast into your ears isn’t always ideal. Fortunately, taking control of this feature is simple.
This guide provides a fast and easy walkthrough to stop Siri from announcing notifications on your AirPods. We will cover how to disable it entirely, customize it for specific apps, and troubleshoot common issues, giving you complete control over your listening experience.
Why Siri Announces Notifications on AirPods
The feature at the heart of this is called “Announce Notifications.” Apple designed it to provide a seamless, hands-free experience, allowing you to stay updated without ever needing to look at your iPhone or iPad. When enabled, Siri identifies incoming notifications from apps like Messages and Phone, and then reads them aloud through your connected headphones.
This functionality is supported on several Apple and Beats devices, including:
- AirPods (2nd generation and later)
- AirPods Pro (all generations)
- AirPods Max
- Powerbeats Pro
- Beats Fit Pro
For many, this is a game-changer during workouts, commutes, or while cooking, as it keeps them connected without interruption. However, for others, the constant announcements can be disruptive, especially when they come from chatty group messages or non-urgent app alerts. The feature can also raise privacy concerns if you’re with others who might overhear what Siri is saying.
How to Stop Siri from Announcing Notifications
You have granular control over this feature. You can turn it off completely, allow it for only a few select apps, or simply adjust its behavior for your AirPods. Here’s how to do it.
Quick Steps for iPhone/iPad Users
The fastest way to manage this setting is through your device’s Control Center.
- Wear your AirPods and make sure they are connected to your iPhone or iPad.
- Open Control Center (swipe down from the top-right corner on newer devices, or up from the bottom on older models).
- Press and hold the volume slider, which should show an icon of your AirPods.
- In the expanded menu, tap the Announce Notifications icon (a bell with sound waves) at the bottom.
- Tapping this icon toggles the feature On or Off.
This method provides a quick way to manage the feature on the fly without digging through settings.
How to Disable Announce Notifications for Specific Apps
Perhaps you want to hear text messages but don’t need alerts from your email or a news app. You can customize which apps are allowed to have Siri announce their notifications.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Go to Notifications.
- Under the “Siri” section, tap on Announce Notifications.
- Scroll down to the “Announce Notifications From” list. Here, you will see a list of all your apps that support this feature.
- Tap on an app to manage its settings. You can either turn off the Announce Notifications toggle for that app completely or choose to only announce Time Sensitive Notifications.
This approach gives you the perfect balance, letting you silence noisy apps while still getting important updates from others.
How to Turn Off Announce Notifications Entirely
If you decide you don’t want any notifications announced, you can disable the feature system-wide.
- Open the Settings app.
- Navigate to Notifications > Announce Notifications.
- At the very top of the screen, turn off the toggle for Announce Notifications.
This single switch will prevent Siri from reading out any notifications from any app through your headphones.
Adjusting Siri’s Behavior for AirPods
You can also adjust this feature specifically through your AirPods’ settings, which is useful if you use multiple pairs of headphones.
- Ensure your AirPods are connected.
- Open Settings and tap on the name of your AirPods, which should appear near the top of the main settings menu.
- Scroll down and tap on Announce Notifications.
- From here, you can toggle the feature on or off. You can also enable Reply without Confirmation, which lets you respond to messages immediately after Siri reads them without waiting for a confirmation step.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes settings don’t behave as expected. Here are solutions to a few common problems users encounter with the Announce Notifications feature.
Siri Still Announces Notifications After Turning It Off
If you’ve disabled the feature but Siri is still chiming in, a few things could be happening. First, double-check that you turned it off in Settings > Notifications > Announce Notifications. If you only toggled it from the Control Center, the setting may have been re-enabled. A simple device restart can also fix software glitches. Finally, check your Focus Mode settings, as certain modes can have their own notification rules that might override the general setting.
Notifications Not Announced When You Want Them
On the flip side, if you want notifications announced but Siri is silent, first ensure the feature is enabled for the specific app in Settings > Notifications > Announce Notifications. Also, confirm that your device is locked and the screen is off, as Siri will not announce notifications if you are actively using your iPhone or iPad. Lastly, check that your AirPods are securely connected via Bluetooth.
AirPods Not Showing in Announce Notifications Settings
If your AirPods or other compatible headphones aren’t appearing as an option, it’s likely a connection issue. Make sure your headphones are charged and connected to your device in the Bluetooth settings. If they are connected but still not showing, try “forgetting” the device in the Bluetooth menu and then re-pairing it. This often resolves any communication errors between the devices.
Benefits of Customizing Siri’s Notification Settings
Tailoring how Siri interacts with you isn’t just about stopping an annoyance; it’s about creating a more productive and pleasant user experience.
Improved Focus and Reduced Distractions
Constant notifications can shatter your concentration. By disabling announcements or limiting them to only essential apps like Phone and Messages, you can create a distraction-free bubble. This is especially valuable during work, study sessions, or any activity that requires deep focus.
Enhanced Privacy
Having your personal messages read aloud, even if only you can hear them, can feel invasive. In a quiet office or on public transport, you never know who might be able to overhear. Disabling Announce Notifications ensures your private communications remain private.
Tailored Experience for Different Scenarios
The beauty of customization is its flexibility. You might want all notifications announced during a run, but none during a business meeting. Using Focus Modes, you can create profiles for different situations. For example, a “Workout” Focus could allow all notifications, while a “Work” Focus could silence everything but calls from your boss.
Quick Comparison Table: Announce Notifications Settings
|
Setting |
What It Does |
Best For |
How to Enable/Disable |
|---|---|---|---|
|
System-Wide Toggle |
Turns the feature on or off for all apps at once. |
Users who want a simple, all-or-nothing solution. |
Settings > Notifications > Announce Notifications |
|
Per-App Toggle |
Allows you to choose which apps can announce notifications. |
Users who want to hear from key apps but silence others. |
Settings > Notifications > Announce Notifications > [App Name] |
|
Control Center Toggle |
Quickly enables or disables the feature temporarily. |
On-the-fly adjustments without digging into settings. |
Control Center > Long-press Volume > Announce Notifications Icon |
|
Reply without Confirmation |
Lets you respond to messages instantly after they are read. |
Power users who want maximum hands-free efficiency. |
Settings > [Your AirPods Name] > Announce Notifications |
FAQs About Siri and AirPod Notifications
How do I turn off Siri completely on AirPods?
To prevent Siri from activating when you press and hold on your AirPods, go to Settings > [Your AirPods Name] and change the Press and Hold action to “Noise Control” or “Off.” This will not disable Siri on your iPhone, only its activation from your AirPods.
Can I customize which contacts Siri announces?
No, you cannot currently choose to have Siri announce notifications only from specific contacts within an app like Messages. The control is at the app level, not the contact level.
Why does Siri announce notifications even when my phone is on silent?
The silent switch on your iPhone only mutes the phone’s external speakers. The Announce Notifications feature operates independently through your headphones. To stop these announcements, you must disable the feature in your settings.
How do I enable Announce Notifications for specific apps?
Go to Settings > Notifications > Announce Notifications. Make sure the main toggle is on, then scroll down and ensure the toggle for each desired app is also enabled.
Are there any third-party apps to manage AirPod notifications?
No, the management of Siri’s Announce Notifications feature is built directly into iOS and iPadOS. There are no third-party apps that can control this core system function.
Now you have full control over how and when Siri announces notifications through your AirPods. Have these tips helped you find the perfect balance between staying connected and staying focused? Let us know your favorite setup in the comments below. For more practical tech tips and guides, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter