How to Disable Siri Permanently on macOS Sierra (10.12.6)?
Siri, Apple's intelligent assistant, is a convenient tool for many macOS users. However, some users may find it intrusive or unnecessary. If you're one of these users and you're running macOS Sierra (10.12.6), you might be looking for a way to permanently disable Siri. Fortunately, there are several methods you can use to achieve this.
Disabling Siri Through System Preferences
The most straightforward way to disable Siri is through the System Preferences application. Here's how to do it:
- Open System Preferences: Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen and select "System Preferences."
- Navigate to Siri: In the System Preferences window, click on "Siri."
- Uncheck "Enable Ask Siri": Look for the "Enable Ask Siri" option and uncheck the box next to it.
- Confirm: You'll see a confirmation message asking if you're sure you want to disable Siri. Click "Disable" to confirm.
This will immediately disable Siri on your macOS Sierra device. You will no longer be able to activate Siri using the keyboard shortcut, the "Hey Siri" command, or the Siri icon in the menu bar.
Disabling Siri Through Terminal
For more control over Siri, you can use the Terminal application to modify its settings. This method requires you to have some familiarity with command-line interface (CLI) commands.
- Open Terminal: Open the Terminal application, either by searching for it using Spotlight or by navigating to "Applications > Utilities > Terminal."
- Enter the Command: In the Terminal window, type the following command and press Enter:
defaults write com.apple.Siri disableSiri -bool YES
- Restart Your Mac: After entering the command, restart your Mac to ensure the changes take effect.
This command will disable Siri by setting the disableSiri
preference to YES
in the Siri configuration file.
Disabling Siri for Specific Users
If you want to disable Siri only for specific users on your macOS Sierra device, you can modify the user settings. Here's how:
- Open User Accounts: Go to "System Preferences > Users & Groups."
- Select User: Click on the user account for whom you want to disable Siri.
- Disable Siri: In the "Login Items" tab, uncheck the box next to "Siri."
- Log Out and Back In: Log out of the user account and then log back in for the changes to take effect.
This will disable Siri for the selected user account, while other users on the same device can still use Siri.
Alternative Methods for Disabling Siri
If you prefer a more permanent solution or if the methods above don't work for you, there are a few other options you can try:
- Delete the Siri application: While it's not recommended, you can delete the Siri application located in the "Applications" folder. However, this will also delete all your Siri settings and data.
- Use a third-party application: Some third-party applications, like "NoSiri," can help you disable Siri more permanently. However, these applications may require root access and may not be compatible with all macOS versions.
Final Thoughts
Disabling Siri on macOS Sierra (10.12.6) is a straightforward process, but it's important to choose the method that best suits your needs. Whether you're disabling Siri temporarily or permanently, the methods discussed above should help you regain control over your macOS device and avoid unwanted interactions with Siri. Remember to back up your device before making any significant changes to your system configuration.