How to Ensure Apple Intelligence Uses DuckDuckGo Over Google

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If you’re using an iPhone 16 Pro Max with iOS 18.3.1 and prefer DuckDuckGo as your search engine instead of Google, you might be frustrated to find that Siri and Apple AI still default to Google for search queries. Let’s explore how you can effectively set DuckDuckGo as your primary search engine and get Siri to use it instead.

Step 1: Set DuckDuckGo as Your Default Search Engine

1. Open Settings: Start by tapping on the "Settings" app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll to Safari: Find and tap on the "Safari" option.
3. Select Search Engine: Look for the "Search Engine" option and tap it.
4. Choose DuckDuckGo: You’ll see a list of search engines. Select "DuckDuckGo" to set it as your default search engine.

Step 2: Adjust Siri and Apple AI Settings

While setting DuckDuckGo as your default search engine for Safari is a great start, Siri might not always respect that choice if it uses its own algorithms. Follow these steps to help Siri align with your preferences:

1. Open Settings: Again, go to the "Settings" app.
2. Navigate to Siri & Search: Scroll down and tap on "Siri & Search".
3. Toggle Off Suggestions: Here, you can toggle off options related to Apple’s suggestions and AI integration to potentially minimize the number of searches performed through Google.
4. Try to Use Safari for Queries: Instead of asking Siri directly for search queries, consider asking it to open Safari so you can search using DuckDuckGo directly.

Step 3: Provide Feedback to Apple

If you’re still experiencing issues, consider providing feedback directly to Apple. Here’s how:

1. Visit Apple Feedback Page: Go to Apple’s official feedback page on your browser.
2. Select Product: Choose "iPhone" then specify the issue related to Siri and DuckDuckGo.
3. Submit Your Feedback: Include details on how Siri’s use of Google conflicts with your preferences for privacy and your use of DuckDuckGo.

Additional Tips

• Disable Siri Suggestions: To stop Siri from pulling information from the web, disable Siri suggestions in "Settings" > "Siri & Search".
• Explore Other Privacy-Focused Apps: If the integration still isn’t satisfying, consider using privacy-focused browsers or apps that support DuckDuckGo natively.

By following these steps and making the necessary adjustments in your settings, you can help steer Siri away from Google and ensure a smoother experience with DuckDuckGo. While it may take some trial and error, your preference for privacy can lead to a more personalized Siri experience tailored to your needs.

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