How to Fix Siri with Apple Intelligence After iOS 26 Update & Car Bluetooth

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If your Siri stopped working with Bluetooth in your car after updating to the latest iOS, you’re not alone. Many people with similar setups have run into this issue, especially if your car doesn’t have Apple CarPlay. Here’s a simple guide to help troubleshoot and hopefully fix the problem.

First, understand that before the update, you could press and hold the voice command button on your steering wheel to activate Siri directly through Bluetooth. This allowed you to control music, get directions, and send messages hands-free. But now, that feature isn’t working as it used to, and activating Siri seems to only work once after you start your car. After that, pressing the button doesn’t do anything. Also, trying to activate Siri through “Hey Siri” or the home button now makes your phone call itself, not activate Bluetooth voice commands.

If this sounds familiar, here are some steps to try and fix the problem:

Restart Your Devices: Turn off your phone and your car, then restart both. Sometimes a simple restart can reset Bluetooth connections and fix glitches.

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Re-Pair Your Phone and Car: Delete the Bluetooth pairing between your phone and your car. To do this, go into your phone’s Bluetooth settings and “Forget” the car. Then, remove your phone from the car’s saved devices if possible. After that, pair them again from scratch. Make sure to follow the pairing instructions provided with your car and iPhone.
Check Siri Settings: Go to Settings > Siri & Search on your iPhone. Make sure “Listen for ‘Hey Siri,'” “Press Home for Siri,” or “Press Side Button for Siri” are all enabled, depending on your device. Also, ensure that Siri is turned on and working properly.
Toggle Bluetooth and Siri Off and On: Turn off Bluetooth and Siri, then turn them back on. Sometimes this refreshes the connections.
Update Your Car’s Software: Check if your car has any firmware updates available. Visit your Mini dealership or the manufacturer’s website to see if a software update could help fix your Bluetooth issues.
Reset Network Settings: If nothing else works, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Keep in mind this will erase saved Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth pairings, so you’ll need to set them up again afterwards.
Test the Voice Button: After trying these steps, see if pressing and holding the voice button on your steering wheel now triggers Siri again. If it still doesn’t work, it may be an issue that requires an update from Apple or your car manufacturer.

If you’ve tried everything and it still isn’t working, you might need to contact Apple Support or your car manufacturer for further assistance. Keep an eye on software updates from both Apple and Mini, as they often release patches for these kinds of issues.

Dealing with tech troubles like this can be frustrating, but hopefully, one of these steps will help you regain hands-free control and make your driving safer and more enjoyable again.