Can text messages be read by Airpods?
Airpods have become an essential tech device in people’s daily lives. So much so that we use them all the time. But while they are a fantastic invention, they still confuse some newbie users. That might be because many Airpods users have many questions about the Airpods.
For instance, “Can the Airpods read text messages?” After all, this is still a relatively new technology that not everyone has had the opportunity to explore.
In this article, you will get the answer to the question of reading text messages by Airpods. We will also provide you with other relevant information.
Can my Airpods read text messages?
Yes, your Airpods can read your messages if you turn the feature on. Apple designed the Airpods so that you can use Siri to listen to incoming text messages comfortably.
This text reading feature on Airpods is only available to users of the second generation Airpods and later. So if you use the first-generation Airpods, you can’t access this feature.
How do I enable my Airpods to read my text messages?
Enabling your Airpods to read your text message is an easy task. You should know that “Siri” makes it easy to allow incoming text messages to be read through your Airpods.
As mentioned earlier, you won’t have access to this feature if you use the first-generation Airpods. Also, the device you intend to connect your Airpods to listen to your text messages must be running iOS 15 or later.
To enable your Airpods to read text messages, follow the steps below:
1. Ensure your device is updated to iOS 15 or later
This is the first step to take, as this feature came with the release of iOS 15. So, you must update the iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch you intend to use to iOS 15 or a later version. To see if your device is running iOS 15:
- Go to your Settings.
- Tap on General.
- Tap on the About tab. It will display your iOS version.
If your device is not updated, follow the steps below to update it.
Note: Some Apple devices cannot be updated to iOS 15 or later. For the iPad, an iPad Air 2 or later is recommended. Its operating system is called an iPadOS. However, it still bears version number 15. For iPhones and iPods, they must be running iOS 15.
Go to your Settings app to update devices that support iOS 15 or newer.
- Tap on the General.
- Then select Software update.
- The device will notify you if there is an update available.
- If there is, click on Download and Install it.
- If not, it means your device is up to date with the latest version.
2. Connect your Airpods to your device
For your Airpods to read your message, it must be connected to the device with the message.
How to connect my Airpods to my iPhone or iPad?
- Place your Airpods in a closed case.
- Go to your iPhone or iPad home screen.
- Then open your Airpods charging case close to your iPhone or iPad.
- An Airpods animation will appear on your phone or iPad, then tap connect.
- Follow the onscreen instructions to connect your Airpods to your device.
- Then tap done.
How to connect my Airpods to my iPod touch
- Go to the settings app and turn on the Bluetooth.
- Go back to your home screen.
- Then open your Airpods case with the Airpods inside close to the iPod touch.
- Follow the instructions indicated on your screen.
- Then tap Done.
3. Allow Siri to read incoming messages
It’s a straightforward step to give Siri access to read your incoming messages while on your Airpods.
- Go to Settings on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch and select “Siri & Search.”
- Tap on “Announce Messages with Siri.”
- Toggle the feature on.
- Then under the “Announce messages from” section, toggle on the Messages app so that Siri can announce or read text from the Messages app.
If your device is running on iOS 14 or later:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap on Notifications.
- Select “Announce Messages with Siri.”
- Turn the feature on.
- Then under the “Announce messages from” section, toggle on the Messages app so that Siri can announce or read text from the Messages app.
You can now comfortably listen to incoming messages through your Airpods without telling Siri to read the message to you. Once a message comes in, Siri will play a tone and read the sender’s name and the message.
If the message is too long, it will only read the sender’s name and alert you that you have a message, at which point you can ask Siri to read the long message, or you can open your phone and read it yourself.
Note: The feature works when your device is locked because your phone is presumed to be in your hands while unlocked, negating the need to read a message you can probably see.
How can I customize my Airpods to read specific messages?
You might be expecting an important message from someone while you are busy, so you may want to configure your Airpods to read messages from that particular person. This is how you can do that:
- Go to your Settings on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
- Select Notifications in the Settings App.
- Select Announce Messages with Siri.
- Tap on the Messages button below.
- Select if you want Siri to notify you when you receive a message from your favorites, contact(s), or everyone that messages you.
Can I reply to messages with my Airpods?
Yes, you can reply to messages with your Airpods. All you need to do is follow the steps above to enable the text-reading feature on your Airpods. Then if Siri announces an incoming message, you will need to say “Reply.” This alerts Siri that you would like to reply to that message.
Afterward, say what you wish to reply to the sender, and Siri will type it. Before sending, Siri will wait for your approval in case you change your mind or need to review what has been typed.
You can also adjust the setting for Siri to reply to your messages immediately after you are done speaking.
How to enable Siri to reply to messages automatically from Airpods
- Connect your Airpods to your Apple device.
- Go to Settings on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
- Select Notifications in your Settings App.
- Select “Announce Messages with Siri”
- Then toggle on the “Send replies Without Confirmation” button.
What do I do when my Airpods don’t read my text message?
There are different reasons why your Airpods won’t read your text message. We will list them out and provide solutions to them.
Check your Airpods model
As mentioned earlier, Apple configured all the Airpods models to access this feature apart from the Airpods first generation. This is because you have to double-press the button by the side of the Airpods to activate Siri.
Apple’s first-generation Airpods doesn’t allow you to access Siri by voice. So, it is similar to just going through your phone to read the message.
Check your iOS version
The iOS version on the device you intend to connect your Airpods to also plays a major role in activating this feature. As mentioned before, the feature is available to only iOS devices that are running iOS or iPadOS 15.
You must check and confirm if your operating system is up to the accepted version.
If you passed the two steps mentioned above and your Airpods still won’t read your text messages, then you need to:
Restart your iPhone
Hold your power button until a notification pops up to switch off or restart your phone. Select the Restart. Once your phone comes up, turn on the Announce Message with Siri using the steps outlined earlier.
Disconnect your Airpods
- Go to your list of Connected Devices in the Settings app.
- Search for your Airpods name
- Click on it, then select forget.
Afterward, place your Airpods back into the charging case and reconnect them with the same process listed earlier on how to connect your Airpods to your device.
Frequently Asked Questions about Airpods reading text messages
Can my Airpods read all my messages?
Yes, your Airpods can read all your messages, but there is an exception. If your incoming message is short or of an average length, then your Airpods will announce the sender’s name and read them out for you.
However, if the incoming message is long, Siri will only announce the sender’s name and notify you that you have received a message.
Can my Airpods read messages in English only?
No, Siri can read messages in multiple languages but will only read messages in its set or selected language.
Can my Airpods read messages sent in any language?
No, your Airpods can read messages in selected but not any language. Apple designed Siri with different languages but doesn’t yet have all the languages spoken worldwide integrated especially African ones. However, Siri can read messages in common languages like English, Spanish, French, Chinese, German, etc.
How do I disable my Airpods from reading my text messages?
It’s as simple as when enabling the feature. Follow the same process used to enable the feature, but toggle off “Announce messages with Siri” instead of toggling it on.
Wrap up
Airpods have lots of amazing features that make tasks simpler when we are busy, like reading text messages to us. This article explained the process you need to enable this feature on your Airpods. It also answered other questions relating to Airpods reading text messages.
If you have any questions about the topic, kindly leave them in the comments below. Thanks for reading.
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