Siri on the Mac goes even deeper into your software than it does on iPhone and iPad. It can search for files, check your system settings, and understands contextual language, so you can ask one question and follow it up with a related one right after.
Click the Siri icon in the menu bar (or use the Touch Bar). If your Mac supports it, say “Hey Siri.” Your portable computer must be open to use Hey Siri. If Siri doesn’t respond, open Siri preferences and make sure Listen for “Hey Siri” is turned on. You can also use Hey Siri when your supported Mac. Since Siri was released in beta form in 2011, it has spread from the iPhone 4s to a range of devices, including iPads and even Macs as of macOS Sierra. But while Apple's virtual Assistant can be. May 15, 2020 Remove or replace the Touch Bar Siri button Move your mouse down, off your screen and INTO the touch bar. This will highlight each menu item. Highlight the Siri button, click, and drag the Siri button upward and out of the Touch Bar.
How to enable Siri on the Mac
When you first set up your Mac or update it to a new version of macOS, you will be asked if you want to use Siri on the Mac. If you didn't enable it at that time, you can do so manually at any time from System Preferences.
How to enable 'Type to Siri' on the Mac
In macOS High Sierra and later, you can type your search query to Siri instead of having to ask it out loud. So if you're in a meeting and trying to find that spreadsheet your boss just asked you for, you can ask Siri to find it for you without having to interrupt what's being said.
How to use a keyboard shortcut to activate Siri
You can click on Siri in your app Dock or the Menu bar at the top of the screen. But if you prefer keyboard shortcuts, you're in luck — Siri likes them, too.
When you have a keyboard shortcut assigned, you can simply press and hold the two assigned keys until Siri pops up.
How to use Siri on Mac with AirPods or supported Beats headphones
If you have your AirPods or a pair of Beats headphones that support voice-activated Siri (currently only the Powerbeats Pro), you can call on Siri for help.
How to pin Siri results to Notification Center
All of your Siri search results can be pinned right into Notification Center. This can be very helpful if you are keeping track of documents for work — or you simply want to add pictures of Oscar Isaac to your Today view.
The Siri search results will be pinned to the Today view of your Notification Center. To remove it, hover over the search section in Notification Center and click on the X.
Here are some things that Siri can do on the MacSiri can search for files
Siri has access to the files and documents on your computer. You can search for files based on date, and even narrow the search in a second query.
You can also search for emails, contact information, calendar events, directions, Notes, and more.
Siri can tell you more about your Mac
Siri also has access to your System Preferences, storage information, and more. If you need your serial number or want to know how much storage you have, Siri is on the case.
Currently, Siri doesn't seem to be able to tell you your screen size, display resolution, or how old it is.
Siri can search your Photos library
Siri can dig through your tens-of-thousands of pictures in Photos to find specific content, like your cat, food, or the lake. You can also search for pictures based on location and date.
If it is indexed in the Photos app, Siri can find it.
Siri can also search for images on the web
You are not relegated to pictures in your Photos library: You can search the entire online universe for whatever images you want. You just have to add 'on the web,' so Siri doesn't try looking in your Photos app for it.
You can drag and drop any photo from a search query into any document, which is great for creating presentations.
![]() Siri can adjust your Mac's settings
Siri can control many of your Mac's settings, like screen brightness, volume controls, Wi-Fi settings, and more.
Siri can open your apps
Siri can open any app on your Mac, including third-party programs. Just say, 'Open [name of app]', and you'll be whisked away to your app of choice.
Siri can keep you in touch
If you want to send a message in Messages, Siri can do more than just open the app: It can also dictate and send the message for you. Just say, 'Send a Message' and then dictate the message you want to send.
Siri also works with FaceTime. Ask Siri to 'FaceTime [name] and it will connect you automatically.
Siri can give you the score
Did you know Siri is a sports fan? Go ahead. Ask it which team will win the next big game. You can ask Siri for the schedule of upcoming games, the current standings of a league, the team roster of tomorrow's match, and player stats. Siri knows about football, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, and, as of macOS 10.2.4, cricket. Here's what Siri knows about sports:
For each of those sports, Siri can provide:
If you want to know about a sports team, game, or league, just say, 'When do the West Indies play next?' or 'Who won the A's game last night?'
Siri will jam out to your tunes with you
Siri has access to Apple Music and your music library. If you want to hear a specific song or album, or just want to relax to any genre of music, Siri can help.
Thanks to Shazam integration, Siri can also tell you what song is playing so you don't have to open iTunes to find out. Because Siri has access to your system settings, it can adjust the volume, pause, skip, and replay songs.
As of macOS High Sierra, when you're using Apple Music, Siri learns your style and can create custom playlists based on what you like. For example, it can create the perfect playlist for your weekend backyard BBQ or workout. It also answers music trivia like identifying members of a band, or what was the first album an artist put out.
Siri can help you plan your evening
With support from Safari, Maps, and Find My Friends, Siri on the Mac can actually plan your evening for you. Ask about movies playing nearby, including their current rating; find out if there are any restaurants where you can book a table; and with Find My Friends enabled, you can even find out if your crew is putting one back at the local pub.
Set Smart Reminders with Siri
You don't have to get specific when asking Siri to set reminders for you: Since the Reminders app works with dates, times, and locations, you can get notified in a number of ways.
Siri also has an uncanny ability to recognize the app you're using thanks to its machine learning algorithms and can set reminders based on what you are doing currently.
Siri can control your HomeKit accessories
With the arrival of macOS Mojave and the Home app for macOS, Siri on the Mac has gained the ability to control your HomeKit scenes and accessories, just like it can on your iPhone or iPad. This includes everything from lights to thermostats.
Ask Siri anything
Siri has a wealth of knowledge built into its ever-increasing intelligence. It knows a lot about sports, music, geography, astronomy, and more. If Siri doesn't know the answer outright, it can find more information for you with a quick search of the web. You can ask Siri anything — and the more you ask, the more Apple will (anonymously) learn about what users need from Siri.
Have a question about Siri on the Mac? Let us know in the comments.
Updated March 2019: Added steps for adding Siri voice-activation on Mac when using supported headphones.
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