Siri now remembers that it’s you speaking when iPhone is locked. [Photo by Jess Bailey Designs.]
A new AirPods accessibility feature for iPhone has created a ensure way to use advanced Siri commands without unlocking your iPhone. Here’s how to use it.
In iOS 17, Apple has introduced a Siri authentication feature for AirPods which tackles a long-standing issue faced particularly by those with mobility or visual impairments. AirPods now enables these users to control Siri and access various iPhone functions without the need to physically engage with their device.
The issue of unlocking the iPhone to authenticate commands was originally brought to light by a quadriplegic user, Colin Hughes. As he has pointed out, executing Siri commands used to necessitate the iPhone to be unlocked each time, posing a challenge for users who found it difficult to continuously unlock their device.
This new feature allows an iPhone to recognize and authenticate Siri requests through AirPods when they are in range. The key is that once your AirPods are in while the iPhone is unlocked, the device remains authenticated even if the iPhone then locks. This lasts as long as the AirPods stay in range or until the audio output device is changed.
This Siri authentication method is a demonstration of Apple’s commitment to accessibility, since allows users with mobility or visual impairments to engage with their devices more easily. However, its convenience and ease of use has also improved the Siri encounter for everyone else.
