Using the Sound Recognition feature with iOS 17 can be extremely helpful, especially for individuals with hearing impairments or those who need to be alerted about specific sounds in their environment. This feature allows your device to listen for certain sounds, like alarms, door knocks, or animals, and notify you when these are detected. Here’s how to set it up:
Quick Guide
- Open Settings: Go to the Settings app .
- Access Accessibility Features: Tap on "Accessibility."
- Enable Sound Recognition: Select "Sound Recognition," then toggle it on.
- Choose Sounds to Detect: Set which specific sounds you want your device to listen for.
Detailed Step-by-Step Walkthrough
Step 1: Open Settings
- Tap on the Settings icon on your home screen. This is the gear-shaped icon typically located on your first page of apps or in a folder you’ve designated for system apps.
Step 2: Access Accessibility Features
- Scroll down the Settings menu until you find “Accessibility.” Tap on it. This section contains various adjustments that make your device easier to use based on different accessibility needs.
Step 3: Enable Sound Recognition
- In the Accessibility menu, scroll down to find “Sound Recognition.” Tap on it.
- You will see a toggle switch next to Sound Recognition. Flip this switch to the ON position to activate the feature.
- Note: Enabling this feature may affect battery life as it uses local, on-device listening to detect sounds.
Step 4: Choose Sounds to Detect
- After enabling Sound Recognition, tap on “Sounds” to view a list of sounds that your device can be set to recognise.
- You’ll see options like Smoke Alarm, Sirens, Shouting, Baby Crying, Door Knock, Doorbell, and more.
- Toggle the switches next to each sound you want your device to listen for. When selected, your device will continuously listen for these sounds and notify you when they are detected.
Additional Configuration
- Notifications: Ensure your notification settings are configured to allow alerts from Sound Recognition. Go to Settings > Notifications to adjust these settings.
- Use with Do Not Disturb: You can set Sound Recognition to still alert you even when Do Not Disturb is enabled. This is useful for night-time or when you do not want to be disturbed by other notifications but still need to be alerted to important sounds.
Sound Recognition on iOS 17 can be a valuable tool for safety and awareness, providing peace of mind that you won’t miss important alerts or environmental cues. This feature enhances accessibility for users with hearing impairments, making the iPhone or iPad more inclusive and helpful in everyday situations.