In iOS 18, Apple introduced a Vocal Shortcuts accessibility feature. Now that iOS 18 is available in beta, users have discovered that this feature can be used to give Siri a new wake word.
With Vocal Shortcuts, you can create a custom phrase for Siri to execute shortcuts and perform “complex tasks,” including setting an alternative wake word for “Hey Siri.”
To set up a Vocal Shortcut, open the Settings app, navigate to Accessibility, and scroll to Vocal Shortcuts. Select “Set Up Vocal Shortcuts” and choose “Siri” (not Siri Request). Enter the new activation phrase you prefer, like “Computer.”
After setting the new name, you can use it to activate Siri on your iPhone. However, this change is limited to the iPhone and does not sync with other devices like HomePod, so you’ll still need to use “Siri” for those.
As noted on Reddit, if you set this up, you need to pause after saying the wake word before giving a command. Unlike with “Hey Siri,” where you can say a full phrase like “Hey Siri, what time is it?” without pausing, the Vocal Shortcut requires you to say the wake word, wait for Siri to activate, and then give your command.
Due to this delay, most people might not want to use this option permanently. However, Siri will still respond to “Hey Siri” as well as the new shortcut.
Vocal Shortcuts allow you to set voice commands for any shortcut, and you can also create triggers for apps and system features like taking a screenshot, adjusting volume, scrolling, or activating Control Center. Additionally, Vocal Shortcuts can be paired with a custom sound instead of speech, offering a valuable accessibility option for those who need alternative ways to activate system features.