Don't know how to use Siri with your Apple TV? We've got you covered with a complete guide to help you start making your life easier with Siri voice commands on your Apple TV. You'll learn which sections and devices you can use it on, how to talk to Siri to make everything flow more smoothly, and how to configure your TV so everything stays just right. Finally, we'll give you a complete and practical guide to tweak your privacy settings.
Where can you use Siri on Apple TV?
The first thing you should be clear about is Which Apple TV devices does Siri have?, as not all models have this useful feature. Currently, you can enjoy Siri on the following devices:
- Apple TV 4K (from the first generation onwards)
- Apple TV HD
Siri availability also depends on your country or region. And, of course, the supported languages. The main Spanish-speaking countries where you can use Siri on Apple TV are Spain, Mexico, Chile, and the United States (in Spanish). It's also available in other countries and regions with different languages, such as Germany, France, Italy, Brazil, Canada, Japan, and the United Kingdom, among others.
To make sure you can use Siri in your area, check your language settings and try activating Siri from the remote control. Remember that Siri must be enabled in the Apple TV settings. and that, depending on the region or language, certain responses or functions may vary.
Getting Started: Activate and Customize Siri on Your Apple TV
Before you start asking Siri for things, you'll want to make sure the assistant is properly set up on your Apple TV. Activating Siri is simple and allows you to personalize the experience. depending on your language needs and preferences.
- Go to Settings and your Apple TV.
- Sign in General > Siri and make sure the feature is turned on.
- To change the language, go to General > Siri Language and select the one you prefer from those available.
Personalization doesn't end there: You can enable transcriptions to see what you say on screen, choose compatible apps to interact with Siri, and even clear your request history if you prefer to maintain your privacy. If you're a 2nd-generation AirPods Pro user, you can enable "Hey Siri" recognition to control it from the headphones themselves, either limiting activation to just AirPods or allowing global control with that command.
Can't use Siri? Some problems and quick fixes
Sometimes you may find that Siri is not responding or not activating as it should. The causes are usually simple: You may be using an incompatible model, have the language set incorrectly, or have accidentally activated the VoiceOver feature, which has nothing to do with Siri.
In order to solve it:
- Check the model and regional compatibilityIf your device or country isn't listed as supported, some features may be disabled.
- Check the language and activation in Settings.
- Disable VoiceOver If your Apple TV is “talking” excessively, navigate to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver.
If after these steps it still doesn't work, there may be a bigger problem and you should consult the Apple support.
How to talk to Siri on Apple TV?
The primary method for interacting with Siri on your Apple TV is by using the Siri Remote, the official (or compatible) remote control. Here's the method:
- Press and hold the Siri button While speaking, say your request and release the button when you finish.
Interesting tipIf you have a HomePod and have integrated it with your Apple TV, you can summon it with your voice (“Hey Siri”) or by pressing and holding the top of the speaker. To get the command to reach the Apple TV, be sure to end your sentence by saying “on TV.” For example: “Play Stranger Things on TV.”
The great thing about Siri on Apple TV is that Responds quickly by showing suggestions, results, or controlling exactly what you asked for, without interrupting or pausing the content you are viewing.Don't expect a spoken response; answers will appear silently on screen so as not to disrupt the experience.
What you can ask Siri: examples and key features
Siri's real utility lies in all the actions you can perform. Some of the most practical and common ones are:
Search for content and apps
Siri allows you to Search for movies, series, and programs using only your voiceYou can refine your search by title, genre, theme, actors, director, age rating, and more. Some examples:
- “Look for action movies”
- “Show me series directed by Pedro Almodóvar”
- “I want to see something for children.”
- “Are there any romantic comedies with Sandra Bullock?”
Siri searches for the most popular and compatible apps based on your region., showing you the best available options. If you have questions about an app, you can ask directly and access it from the screen.
Controlling media and TV playback
One of Siri's strengths is its deep integration with playback. You can control your Apple TV or compatible TVs using voice commands:
- “Pause in the living room” or “Play in the bedroom”
- “Forward 30 seconds” or “Backward two minutes in the chapter”
- “Turn on the living room TV”
- “Turn off the Apple TV in the kitchen.”
If your TV is connected to the Apple Home app, the voice remote expands to include functions like turning on or off, skipping scenes, controlling volume, and navigating between apps, always indicating the room if you have multiple devices.
Set up your TV to control it with Siri from other Apple devices
Many users want to get even more out of Siri by connecting their Apple TV and television to their home network. The key is to add both to the Home app., which will allow you to control them from your iPhone, iPad or HomePod, in addition to the Siri Remote itself.
The process is the following:
- Open Settings on Apple TV and go to AirPlay and HomeKit.
- Assign the device to a room (you can choose an existing one or create a new one).
- Turn on the TV and Open the Home app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Click on “Add accessory” and Scan the QR code that appears on the TV screenIf you don't know how to find this code, check your TV manual or contact the manufacturer.
- Assign a name and room that you prefer, making sure it is easy to remember to control it by voice.
After the setup is complete, You can ask Siri from your iPhone, iPad, or HomePod to play content, switch apps, turn your TV on or off, and more.. Examples of useful commands:
- “Put Money Heist on the living room TV.”
- “Turn off the kitchen TV.”
- “Pause Apple TV in the bedroom”
- “Fast forward 30 seconds on the office TV.”
This method allows you to centralize control of all your home entertainment and take advantage of all the benefits of the Apple ecosystem., making the remote control an almost optional accessory for everyday use.
Siri Privacy and History Management on Apple TV
As a user, it's normal to be concerned about the privacy of what you say to Siri. Apple allows you to manage the history of Siri requests and dictation that are sent to its servers.If you prefer to keep your experience as private as possible, you can delete this history:
- Go to Settings > Siri & Search > Siri & Dictation History.
- Tap the option to delete all history associated with that Apple TV.
This way, you'll have control over what's saved, which is important if you use Siri intensively or share your device with other people.
Extra customization: tailoring Siri to your needs
Apple TV lets you take Siri one step further: You can select the specific apps with which you want to use the “ask Siri” features.This means you can restrict or enable interaction only with the apps you choose. In some cases, you may also need to adjust the permissions of the apps themselves to allow Siri access.
Users with special needs can take advantage of Siri's integration with other accessibility features., tailoring the experience to make navigation and device use as simple and personalized as possible.
What about AirPods and “Hey Siri”?
For users who have second-generation AirPods Pro, there is a feature for the system to “listen” to the command "Hey Siri" directly through the headphones while connected to Apple TV:
- You can configure whether Siri responds only when activation is detected from AirPods, or allow both options, using the remote and by voice.
- This gives you even more versatility to use your voice even when you don't have the remote at hand.
Integration with AirPods and other compatible headphones is especially useful for those who want to watch TV or listen to music without disturbing others, but without giving up voice control!
Mastering Siri on Apple TV is a matter of spending five minutes setting it up and then letting go.The possibilities go far beyond what meets the eye: from controlling your media library and discovering new content to managing your home and staying up-to-date on sports and events. Customize commands, connect your devices, and experiment with different options until you find the combination that best suits your routine. The remote will be just an add-on, as the real experience comes with voice and full integration into the Apple ecosystem.
