Bose's voice control article for the QC Ultra Headphones, QC Ultra Earbuds and Ultra Open Earbuds is about Siri changing modes. Say Hey Siri or use the voice assistant shortcut if enabled, then a command: Change my Bose Immersive Audio, or Change my Bose Immersive Audio to Still, Motion or Off, or Change my Bose Mode to Quiet, Aware, Immersion, Stereo or a custom mode name. Siri confirms that the Bose setting was changed. If Siri does not respond make sure the iOS device listens for Hey Siri and allows Siri when locked.
The microphone used depends on how you summon Siri: Hey Siri uses your phone's microphone, while the shortcut button uses the headset microphone. The function needs Apple's Shortcuts app, which must not be uninstalled or offloaded. Bose also has a voice assistant availability by country and language article. For calls and playback the voice shortcut on the headphones triggers your phone's assistant. If it stops working, check the Shortcuts app, Siri settings, reconnect the headphones and update the firmware at btu.bose.com.
Differential
Likely causes of “Bose QuietComfort headphones and earbuds voice assistant or controls are not working”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Hey Siri is off
What separates it Siri does not respond because Hey Siri is switched off
How to confirm Enable Hey Siri and allow it when locked
- 2
The Shortcuts app is missing
What separates it The Bose commands fail because the Shortcuts app is missing
How to confirm Reinstall Shortcuts from the App Store, and try the command again
- 3
The headphones are not connected
What separates it There is no response from the button because the headphones are not connected
How to confirm Reconnect the headphones over Bluetooth, and try the button again
- 4
A region or language limit
What separates it The assistant is unavailable because of a region or language limit
How to confirm Check Bose's availability article, for your country and language
- 5
An outdated firmware
What separates it The voice control misbehaves because the firmware is outdated
How to confirm Update the headphones at btu.bose.com, and then try again
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The phone and the operating system that you use
- Whether Hey Siri or the shortcut button fails
- The country and the language that are set on the phone
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCheck Siri
ReversibleCheck Siri, by enabling Hey Siri, and allowing it when the phone is locked, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Check Shortcuts
ReversibleCheck Shortcuts, and make sure that the app is installed on the phone, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Reconnect
ReversibleReconnect the headphones, by turning Bluetooth off and on, and connecting again, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Try a command
ReversibleTry a command, by saying Change my Bose Mode to Quiet, and see what happens.
Use the shortcut button
ReversibleUse the shortcut button, by enabling it in the Bose app, for the action you want.
Update
ReversibleUpdate the headphones at btu.bose.com, and then try the voice command again, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Start a repair
ReversibleStart a repair, if nothing helps, and contact Bose about the headphones, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Siri commands
- Bose says the Siri process applies to the Ultra Open Earbuds, QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and QuietComfort Ultra Headphones.
- Microphone
- Hey Siri uses your phone's microphone; the shortcut button uses the headset microphone.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the QuietComfort Headphones, QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, QuietComfort Earbuds II.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If Siri works on the phone but never through the headphones after reconnecting, start a repair or replacement with Bose
- !If Siri fails everywhere, contact Apple, since the fault is on the phone
- !If the assistant is unavailable in your region, use the app
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Siri commands for modes and immersive audio, the microphone used and Shortcuts.
Where voice assistants work.
The connection the assistant needs.
The modes Siri can select.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
Which assistant works?+
Bose documents Siri for changing modes and immersive audio.
What can I say?+
Change my Bose Mode to Quiet, Aware, Immersion, Stereo or a custom mode.
Do I need Shortcuts?+
Yes, it is an Apple default app.
Is it available everywhere?+
Bose has a country and language availability article.
Does it work locked?+
Only if Siri is allowed when locked.
Can I set the button?+
Yes, the voice assistant shortcut in the Bose app.
Does Alexa work?+
Bose's soundbar articles cover Alexa; the headphone article covers Siri.
Do I need to reconnect?+
Yes, reconnect the headphones, if the assistant stops responding.