Siri Not Working on iPhone XS After iOS 12.1.4? Here’s How to Fix It

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If Siri suddenly stopped responding or can’t hear your voice after updating to iOS 12.1.4, you’re not alone. While Apple’s voice assistant is usually reliable, system updates can sometimes glitch core features like Siri. Here’s how to troubleshoot and get Siri working again on your iPhone XS.

1. Make Sure Siri Is Set Up Properly

After a major iOS update, settings may reset. Double-check that Siri is enabled and set to recognize your voice:

  1. Go to Settings > Siri & Search.
  2. Make sure these are turned ON:
    • Listen for “Hey Siri”
    • Press Side Button for Siri
    • Allow Siri When Locked
  3. If you haven’t already, set up Siri by following the on-screen voice training prompts.

Test Siri by saying, “Hey Siri” or holding the Side button for a couple of seconds.

2. Refresh Siri

If Siri was already enabled but not working, try toggling it off and back on:

  1. Go to Settings > Siri & Search.
  2. Turn off Listen for “Hey Siri”.
  3. Wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.
  4. Follow prompts to re-train Siri with your voice.

This often fixes unresponsive behavior post-update.

3. Reboot Your iPhone

A simple restart can fix a lot of post-update glitches:

  • Hold the Side button + Volume Up or Down, then slide to power off.
  • Wait 30 seconds.
  • Hold the Side button again to power on.

Try using Siri after your phone reboots.

4. Check Screen Time & Restrictions

If Siri is blocked in Screen Time, it won’t respond even if enabled.

  1. Go to Settings > Screen Time.
  2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps.
  3. Make sure Siri & Dictation is enabled.

You can also temporarily turn off all restrictions to test Siri.

5. Reset All Settings

If the problem is caused by conflicting or corrupted settings:

  1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.
  2. Tap Reset All Settings.
  3. Enter your passcode and confirm.

This will reset preferences like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Siri settings without deleting your data.

6. Factory Reset as Last Resort

If nothing else works, a full reset may be needed to clear deeper bugs:

⚠️ Back up your data first via iCloud or iTunes.

  1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
  2. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
  3. Follow the prompts to restore your iPhone to factory settings.

Set up your iPhone as new and test Siri before restoring any backups.

Still Not Working?

  • Try other voice features. If Dictation also fails, your microphone could be the issue.
  • Use the Voice Memos app to test if your mic is working.
  • If Siri still won’t respond, contact Apple Support or visit a Genius Bar. It may be a hardware issue or a deeper iOS bug.

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