See What It's Like Using Siri on a Mac in macOS Sierra

With macOS Sierra, the latest version of the Mac operating system, Siri is available on Macs for the first time. Siri on the Mac can perform many of the same functions available on iOS, like answering simple queries, looking up information, sending messages, opening apps, and more, plus there are Mac-specific functions.

As can be seen in our hands-on video showing off Siri on the Mac, Siri is able to search through files to help you quickly locate content with commands like "Find me the documents I opened last week" or "Where are the files John sent me on Tuesday?"


Siri is accessed through the menu bar, a dock icon, or a keyboard command, and the Siri results, displayed in individual windows, can be pinned to the Today section of the Notification Center or added to documents and files.

Pinned results are kept updated, so it's a great way to keep tabs on a sports game or a particular Twitter search right in the Notification Center, and it can be used to do things like insert a map into an email invitation or search for an image to add to a document.

macOS Sierra and Siri for Mac are are only available to developers right now, but Apple plans to offer a public beta in July. The operating system will be released for free to all Mac users in the fall.

In case you missed them, make sure to check out our seven minute WWDC 2016 video, which features a quick rundown on all of the new iOS, macOS Sierra, tvOS, and watchOS features Apple introduced this week, our video highlighting iOS 10's overhauled Lock screen, a video on the new features in the Photos app, and our video covering the iOS 10 features coming to Messages.

Make sure to stay tuned to MacRumors, because we've got more in-depth software videos in the works.

Related Forum: macOS Sierra

Popular Stories

airpods 4 blue

Apple Finally Explains How to Install New Firmware on Your AirPods

Monday January 27, 2025 11:17 am PST by
Apple regularly releases new firmware for the AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max, but the company has historically provided limited information on how to initiate an update. That changed today, and Apple updated its AirPods firmware support page with more specific instructions. Prior to today, here's what Apple said on the subject: Firmware updates are delivered automatically while your...
iOS 18

iOS 18.3 Available as Soon as Today With These New Features

Monday January 27, 2025 6:35 am PST by
Update: Apple has released iOS 18.3. In its press release unveiling a new Black Unity Sport Loop for the Apple Watch today, Apple confirmed that iOS 18.3 is "upcoming." According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple Stores are being instructed to update the software on demo devices today, so iOS 18.3 should be released either today or within the next few days. Below, we recap everything new...
iPhone 17 Pro Dual Tone Horizontal 1

iPhone 17 Pro Launching This Year With These 8 New Features

Tuesday January 28, 2025 11:48 am PST by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. iPhone 17 Pro concept based on rumors Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of January 2025: More aluminum: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models ...
tvOS 18 Thumb 3

Apple Releases tvOS 18.3

Monday January 27, 2025 10:00 am PST by
Apple today released tvOS 18.3, the newest version of the tvOS 18 operating system that came out in September. tvOS 18.3 comes more than a month after Apple released tvOS 18.2, and it is available for the Apple TV 4K and the Apple TV HD models. tvOS 18.3 can be downloaded using the Settings app on the ‌Apple TV‌. Open up Settings and go to System > Software Update to get the new software....
iOS 18

Apple Releases iOS 18.3 With Visual Intelligence and Notification Summary Improvements

Monday January 27, 2025 10:04 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3, the third major updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 software that came out last year. iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3 come six weeks after Apple released iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Apple has also released iPadOS 17.7.4 for...
M6 MacBook Pro Feature 1

5 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's MacBook Pro

Monday January 27, 2025 4:25 am PST by
Apple in October 2024 overhauled its 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, adding M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips, Thunderbolt 5 ports on higher-end models, display changes, and more. That's quite a lot of updates in one go, but if you think this means a further major refresh for the MacBook Pro is now several years away, think again. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said he expects only a small...
ipad january sale

Amazon's New iPad Sale Has Up to $300 Off M4 iPad Pro, M2 iPad Air, and iPad Mini 7

Tuesday January 28, 2025 7:32 am PST by
Today we're tracking a few iPad discounts on Amazon, including the new iPad mini 7, M2 iPad Air, and M4 iPad Pro. These deals include multiple all-time low prices on Apple's tablets, matching the prices we tracked over the holiday season in many cases. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us...

Top Rated Comments

Kaibelf Avatar
113 months ago
The most "exciting" feature, which is Siri according to Apple, still remains the most useless and boring feature to me. Especially on a Mac.

It's slow, not all that smart, and requires data to work.

Siri might become useful when she reaches the level of the assistant in the movie "Her". But until then, it's nothing but a nuisance and a gimmick.
Let's all just stop development until Your Majesty decides it's okay for us to catch up with your amazing tastes. Thanks so much for guiding the unwashed masses.
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
appleofmy"i" Avatar
113 months ago
Been loving the videos. Thanks guys!
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sniffies Avatar
113 months ago
The most "exciting" feature, which is Siri according to Apple, still remains the most useless and boring feature to me. Especially on a Mac.

It's slow, not all that smart, and requires data to work.

Siri might become useful when she reaches the level of the assistant in the movie "Her". But until then, it's nothing but a gimmick.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
now i see it Avatar
113 months ago
Hey Siri: Why is your RAM soldered to your motherboard?



Attachment Image
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
3square Avatar
113 months ago
i just wish there was the "Hey Siri" option as the phone.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mcfrazieriv Avatar
113 months ago
Siri, please go away.

Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)