2018 MacBook Pro Models With Touch Bar Support 'Hey Siri' - MacRumors
Skip to Content

2018 MacBook Pro Models With Touch Bar Support 'Hey Siri'

by

Apple has confirmed that its new 2018 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar models feature support for hands-free "Hey Siri."

macbook pro hey siri
From its website, emphasis ours:

Featured on the 13- and 15‑inch models with Touch Bar, the Apple T2 chip includes a Secure Enclave coprocessor that provides the foundation for secure boot and encrypted storage capabilities. It also consolidates many discrete controllers, including the system management controller, audio controller, and SSD controller, into one. And the Apple T2 chip brings a familiar voice to MacBook Pro — Hey Siri is always ready to open apps, find documents, play music, or answer your questions.

This means 2018 MacBook Pro users can say "Hey Siri," instead of clicking on the Siri icon in the macOS menu bar or tapping on the Siri button on the Touch Bar, to activate Apple's virtual assistant on the desktop.

The functionality is enabled by the Apple T2 chip, first introduced in the iMac Pro and now included in the new MacBook Pros.

The T2 chip integrates several previously separate components, including the system management controller, image signal processor, audio controller, and SSD controller, for expanded capabilities on the new MacBook Pro.

For instance, the T2 chip's image signal processor works with the FaceTime HD camera to enable enhanced tone mapping, improved exposure control, and face detection-based auto exposure and auto white balance. On the MacBook Pro, the chip also authenticates and secures Touch ID and Apple Pay.

The T2 chip also features a Secure Enclave coprocessor for secure boot and encrypted storage capabilities.

It's unclear if the iMac Pro will eventually support "Hey Siri" too.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

Top Rated Comments

101 months ago
“FaceTime HD” camera... 720p in 2018
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gsapienza Avatar
101 months ago
THIS!!! I hate when I am in my car and my watch, iPhone and iPad all start responding. I then whisper hoping only one hears me.
Uh this is already a thing. Even with a house with an Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad and HomePod; only one ever responds. And it is pretty smart about it. If I am just speaking out loud, the HomePod will respond. If I have my wrist raised, the Apple Watch will respond
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tzm41 Avatar
101 months ago
The only times I have activated Siri on my Mac is hitting the fn key by mistake.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kycophpd Avatar
101 months ago
I hope they add a Continuity feature soon to prevent multiple devices from activating to a “Hey Siri” request.
THIS!!! I hate when I am in my car and my watch, iPhone and iPad all start responding. I then whisper hoping only one hears me.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Icaras Avatar
101 months ago
THIS!!! I hate when I am in my car and my watch, iPhone and iPad all start responding. I then whisper hoping only one hears me.
What are you talking about? As others have already mentioned, Apple has already accounted for this. I forget if it was Eddie or Craig that mentioned it an interview, but only one of your devices will ever respond to Hey Siri because of intelligent awareness. I would make sure all your devices are signed into the same iCloud account.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
101 months ago
I hope they add a Continuity feature soon to prevent multiple devices from activating to a “Hey Siri” request.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.4 Adds Two New Features to CarPlay

Tuesday March 24, 2026 1:55 pm PDT by
iOS 26.4 was released today, and it includes a couple of new features for CarPlay: an Ambient Music widget and support for voice-based chatbot apps. To update your iPhone 11 or newer to iOS 26.4, open the Settings app and tap on General → Software Update. CarPlay will automatically offer the new features so long as the iPhone connected to your vehicle is running iOS 26.4 or later....
Apple Business hero

Apple Unveils 'Apple Business' All-in-One Platform

Tuesday March 24, 2026 8:53 am PDT by
Apple today announced Apple Business, a new all-in-one platform that unifies device management, productivity tools, and customer outreach features. The service is designed to be a consolidated replacement for several of Apple's existing business-focused offerings, including Apple Business Essentials, Apple Business Manager, and Apple Business Connect. It provides organizations with a single...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Tuesday March 24, 2026 12:31 pm PDT by
Apple today released new firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and the AirPods 4. The firmware has a version number of 8B39, up from 8B34 on the AirPods Pro 3, 8B28 on the AirPods Pro 2, and 8B21 on the AirPods 4. There is no word on what's included in the firmware, but Apple has a support document with limited notes. Most updates are limited to bug fixes and performance...