How to Use Siri on an iPad: A Complete Guide

Siri, Apple's iconic voice-activated virtual assistant, is built into every Apple device, from iPhones and Apple Watches to MacBooks and iPads. Whether you’ve just unboxed a new device or you’re looking for new ways to use Siri, this guide will show you exactly how to talk to Siri on an iPad. From turning the feature on to understanding her capabilities and making the most of voice control on your Apple tablet.

What Is Siri?

Siri is Apple’s virtual assistant software that can respond to voice commands, answer questions, and perform tasks across all Apple operating systems, including iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS. First introduced with the iPhone 4s in 2011, Siri has evolved into a deeply integrated tool for everyday productivity and convenience. 

The assistant understands natural language, learns user preferences over time, and adapts to different accents and dialects. On your iPad Pro, Siri becomes a hands-free helper capable of managing your schedule, setting reminders, sending messages, and much more.

What Can Siri Do on an iPad?

On the iPad, Siri is more than just a voice search engine. You can ask Siri to dial calls, send text messages, check the weather, schedule calendar events, or set reminders. It can also open apps, adjust your iPad settings, and translate languages in real-time. Siri can also fetch sports scores, stream your favorite music, navigate with Apple Maps, or give you quick facts from the web. 

If you're using an iPad with cellular capabilities, Siri can perform even more tasks without being tethered to Wi-Fi. The assistant also integrates with compatible third-party apps like ride-sharing platforms, payment apps, and messaging services, allowing you to take full advantage of your iPad without lifting a finger.

How Siri Works on an iPad

Behind Siri’s seamless interaction is a powerful combination of speech recognition and natural language processing. When you speak, Siri converts your voice into text using speech recognition software. That data is then sent to Apple’s servers, where Siri applies advanced natural language processing algorithms to determine your intent. This is no small feat as Siri must decipher different speech patterns, slang, and phrasing while processing accents and tone. Apple’s ongoing investment in artificial intelligence and machine learning ensures that Siri becomes more accurate and intuitive over time.

Entity extraction is another key element in this process. It helps Siri zero in on the most important parts of your request, such as names, dates, or tasks, and then execute the appropriate action. Despite all this complexity, Siri typically delivers her responses in just a few seconds, offering the illusion of an effortless, instant conversation.

Related: iPads and AI: What the Future Holds for iPadOS

 

How to Turn Siri On and Off on Your iPad

If you’re setting up Siri on your iPad Pro for the first time or just want to make sure it’s enabled, follow these steps:

• Open your iPad’s Settings app.

• On the left-hand menu, tap Siri & Search.

• Toggle on the following options to enable Siri:

• Listen for "Hey Siri"

• Press Home for Siri (or Top Button if you’re using a newer iPad Pro)

• Allow Siri When Locked.

Keep in mind that Siri requires an active internet connection to function. If your iPad is in Airplane Mode or not connected to Wi-Fi, Siri won’t be able to process your requests. You can still use basic offline dictation in certain apps, but the full capabilities of Siri won’t be available without connectivity.

You can also customize Siri’s voice. Under the same settings panel, navigate to Siri Voice and choose between a male or female voice and regional accents like American, British, or Australian, depending on your preference.

Siri can be used even when your iPad is locked. Though it won’t launch apps from the lock screen, it can still set reminders, manage your calendar, or check basic information. This feature can be handy when you’re on the go and want to stay hands-free.

Using the “Hey Siri” Feature

One of the most convenient ways to interact with Siri on your iPad is through the “Hey Siri” feature. This allows you to activate Siri using only your voice, without pressing any buttons. To enable this, return to the Siri & Search settings menu and make sure "Listen for “Hey Siri” is toggled on. Your iPad will guide you through a brief voice training setup, helping Siri learn your unique speaking style. 

If you're using an older iPad model, it may need to be plugged into a power source for "Hey Siri" to function. However, if you have a 9.7-inch iPad Pro or newer, you can activate Siri with your voice anytime, even without being connected to a charger. Starting with iOS 17, you have the option to simply say "Siri" to activate the function.

How to Talk to Siri on an iPad Pro

To activate Siri manually, press and hold the Home button (or the Top Button on newer iPads without a Home button) for a few seconds. You’ll hear a subtle chime and a waveform animation will appear on your screen, indicating that Siri is ready to listen. Simply speak your request, and Siri will respond accordingly.

If you’re using "Hey Siri," you don’t need to touch your iPad at all. Just say the activation phrase followed by your question or command. You’ll see the same animation and can proceed as you would with a manual activation. If Siri didn’t catch what you said or if you want to follow up with another question, simply speak again while the animation is visible. Siri will keep the conversation going without requiring you to start over.

Using Siri for Everyday Tasks

You can use Siri to create and manage reminders, check your calendar appointments, control your smart home devices, or find information online without opening your browser. It can read incoming messages, make FaceTime calls, and even control your music with commands like “Play my workout playlist” or “Skip this song.”

For users who rely on productivity tools, Siri can help send emails, launch apps, or search files stored in your iCloud Drive. Her integration with apps like Notes, Reminders, and Safari makes it easy to accomplish more in less time. If you use third-party apps for messaging, ride-sharing, or productivity, check their settings to see if they support Siri shortcuts.

Make the Most of Siri with the Right iPad Setup

Using Siri becomes even more effective when your iPad is protected and propped at the right angle. ZUGU offers premium iPad covers compatible with all current iPad models, including the iPad Pro 11-inch and iPad Pro 12.9-inch. Our cases feature adjustable stands that let you position your device perfectly for voice activation, video calls, or browsing without needing to hold the iPad.