How To: Apple Intelligence Guides Siri to Insert Names Without Saying Them

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If you find that Siri automatically adds a person’s name into voice responses, and it’s happening with some contacts but not others, it can be frustrating. Here’s how you can fix this issue so Siri responds more naturally without inserting names when you don’t want it to.

First, check your contact details. Sometimes, Siri picks up information from your contacts that might include their name or other details. Make sure the contact’s first and last name are filled out correctly, and remove any extra fields that might be causing Siri to reference the person in a special way.

Next, go to your iPhone’s settings. Tap on “Siri & Search.” Then, look for options related to how Siri addresses people. Unfortunately, there isn’t a specific toggle to stop Siri from using the person’s name in responses, but you can try customizing the way Siri responds.

One effective method is to edit a contact’s “Nickname” field. If you change or remove the nickname stored for that contact, Siri might stop automatically inserting their name into responses. To do this:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Find and select the contact.
3. Tap “Edit” in the top right corner.
4. Scroll down to “Add Field.”
5. Select “Nickname” and either delete the nickname or change it to a generic term.
6. Save your changes.

Another tip is to make your voice commands as straightforward as possible. For instance, instead of saying, “Hey Siri, ask John how his day was,” try simply, “Hey Siri, how’s John.”

Lastly, if Siri still inserts the person’s name regardless of your adjustments, resetting Siri might help. To do this:

1. Go to “Settings” > “Siri & Search.”
2. Turn off “Listen for ‘Hey Siri'” and/or “Press Home Button” (or Side Button).
3. Restart your phone.
4. Turn Siri back on and set it up again.

By adjusting contact details and resetting Siri, you should notice a more consistent response from Siri without unwanted name insertions. Remember, Siri’s behavior is partly based on how contacts are stored, so keeping that info tidy is key to getting the responses you want.