Siri has gained a new look with iOS 14 and is now receiving new voices on iOS 14.5.
Jason Cipriani / CNET
Siri is undergoing a renovation. Well, the maximum overhaul that can be given to a personal digital assistant. More specifically, Apple changed Siri’s voice on iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5, which is currently available as a beta version for developers and first users who sign up for the public beta program.
Also included in the next update is the ability to unlock your Face ID-equipped Iphone when using a face mask (you will need to have a Apple Watch to work), along with minor tweaks to apps like Podcasts and Music.
If you have already signed up for the public beta to be able to use the new facial unlock feature, you will have access to the new Siri voices after installing the latest beta update released on March 31. For those who want early access to new features, you can sign up for the beta by visiting beta.apple.com on your iPhone. Make sure you create a backup of your iPhone before diving. The software is unfinished and there are occasional bugs and hiccups. If you want to return to a stable version of iOS 14, you will need to completely wipe and restore your device. Without a backup, you will have to start all over again.
Below, I’ll show you how to access the new Siri voices in the beta, which should be the same process after iOS 14.5 is officially released. That said, Apple frequently changes resources during the beta process. I’ll keep an eye on that and update this post with any new changes.
Ready for a new Siri with sound?
Screenshots by Jason Cipriani / CNET
Where to find Siri’s new voices for iPhone and iPad
According to Apple, the first time you set up a new device, you will be asked which voice you want Siri to use. It is the first time that Apple has not made a female voice the standard for its digital assistant. If you’re like me and don’t plan to buy a new iPhone anytime soon, but want to change Siri’s voice after installing iOS 14.5, here’s where you can find the option.
Open the Definitions application, then go to Siri and Search > Siri Voice. In the Voice section, you will find four different options. Voice 2 and Voice 3 are new, but to my ear all four seem more natural and realistic.
Touch each voice to hear a preview. Switching to a new voice will require your iPhone or iPad to download the files needed to make the switch. You will see Downloading… with a loading animation on each voice as you select it. Once the download is complete, your device will start using that voice going forward.
My choice of the new group is Voice 3. It is a fun change from the standard female Siri voice that I have used all these years.
The new voices are currently available in English, but I would be surprised if Apple wasn’t working on adding more languages, perhaps with iOS 15, which should be announced in WWDC in June. In the meantime, be sure to absorb as much information as possible about iOS 14. We have lots of tips and tricks and hidden resources for you to check.