How to Stop AirPods From Reading Texts

Apple never fails to introduce new, wonderfully helpful technology and features. But Siri’s text-reading feature may have been a swing and a miss for the tech giant. If Siri’s constant interruptions bother you, it’s time to take action and stop your AirPods from reading texts.

Ok, it is helpful! You don’t have to pick up your phone or glance at your Apple Watch to see a message. Siri interrupts your music or podcast to read it to you. For many, the feature is annoying. Perhaps you don’t care to read a text right now; maybe you’re just getting to the pivotal part of your favorite podcast. No matter your reasons, we’ll walk you through the steps to stop your AirPods from reading texts.

How to Stop AirPods From Reading Texts

The AirPod text reading feature is a new addition to Apple’s flagship wireless headphone models. You’ll only get to hear your texts on new models of AirPods (Gen 2+, the AirPods Pro, and Max) and iOS 15 or newer.

If you don’t follow Apple’s Keynotes, the feature may be unexpected, suddenly interrupting your media with texts. But, it only takes a few steps to disable the feature. You can also tailor the Announce Notifications features to meet your needs. For example, perhaps you want to hear Facebook Messenger texts but not iPhone ones.

The following steps will help you achieve the peace you seek while customizing the feature to give you what you do want.

Step 1: Open Settings

Because your AirPods don’t have their own control center, you’ll use your phone’s Settings. Unlock your iPhone and tap on the Settings App. Or, go to the app library by swiping to the left and tapping on the Settings App there.

Step 2: Tap on Notifications

You’ll see a list of options like Wi-Fi or Sounds & Haptics. But we need to enter the Notification settings to stop your AirPods from reading texts.

Scroll down and tap on Notifications.

Step 3: Tap Announce Notifications

The Apple feature that encourages your AirPods to read every message sent to your phone is the Announce Notifications feature.

Tap on Announce Notifications on this page to access the text reading selection. You’ll find the option under the SIRI heading.

Step 4: Toggle the Headphones Switch

Now you will see many options. You can entirely disable the Announce Notifications feature by tapping the switch in the upper right corner. Disabling this switch means your AirPods and vehicle will no longer read your texts.

You can stop your AirPods from reading texts by switching off the toggle switch next to Headphones. Doing this means your car will still read the texts, but your AirPods or third-party headsets won’t.

You can also disable the text reading notifications per app. For example, tap on Facebook Messenger to turn on or off the Announce Notifications function. Scroll down the Announce Notification page and tap on any apps you want to change.

Lastly, you can select Time Sensitive and Direct Messages or All Notifications when you tap on apps on the Announce Notifications page. Perhaps you don’t want your AirPods to read app notifications (like updating your app or sales pitches), but you do want to hear your messages. Scroll through the app list and check the Announce settings you like.

Here is a quick, step-by-step video for further reference:

How to Stop AirPods from Reading Texts in the Control Center

One of Apple’s more useful iOS features is the Control Center. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, this is the menu that appears when you pull down from the upper left part of your screen.

This menu lets you quickly adjust the screen brightness, access your Wi-Fi settings, or activate a flashlight. But you can enable the Announce Notification button here too. When you enable the button in your Control Center, you’ll find it much easier to toggle the feature off and on when you need it.

If you use the function frequently but not all the time, follow these steps to add it to your Control Center.

Step 1: Open Your Settings

We’ll need to add the Announce Notifications icon to your Control Center because it isn’t there by default. The iOS Settings App is the central command hub for your AirPods and your iPhone or iPad.

Tap the Settings App on your phone’s home screen or open it in the App Library.

Step 2: Tap Control Center

After opening Settings, scroll to the third section and look for Control Center. The option is located right under General. Tap Control Center to access more options.

Step 3: Tap the Green + Icon Next to Announce Notifications

Now you’ll see a list of apps and features with red minus signs. Below that is a list of apps with green plus signs. Locate Announce Notifications. Then, tap the green plus (+) icon to the left.

Step 4: Enable and Disable Text Reading in the Control Panel

Now, anytime you want peace and quiet, pull down from the upper left of your screen and tap the Announce Notification icon. But do keep in mind when you disable the Announce Notifications feature from the Control Center, it turns back on the following day.

Siri, Stop Reading My Texts

Siri is a wonderful AI assistant. She can quickly set a timer for you or send a text. Just put your AirPods in your ear and say, “Hey Siri!” to wake her up! But, like most AI helpers, she can be a little too helpful.

If you’ve grown tired of Siri’s constant interruptions, follow the steps above to disable the text-reading feature on your AirPods. Then, you can listen to your music without interruption.

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The image featured at the top of this post is ©Fadhli Adnan/Shutterstock.com.