How to Speed things up with Siri

1 Smart file search

Siri understands various modifiers when you’re asking it to find files or folders. For instance, say “Show me files I opened today” if you want to narrow down your search to just the most recent results.

2 Find a specific file

Similarly, if you know the name of the file you’re after, Siri can handle that. Say “Find the Pages document named ‘Application’” to return that file. Siri will show a list if there are multiple matching results.

3 Add to Reminders

The Reminders app can be used to store more than just text. To be reminded of a web page, or a message in Mail that you’re reading, say “Remind me about this at 7pm” to attach a link to that item to a timed reminder.

4 Note it down

The quickest way to add a new note is to get Siri to do it. Say “Create a new note called ‘Meeting agenda’”, for example, then add some text by saying “Add new business card designs to my ‘Meeting agenda’ note”.

5 Save the date

Creating an event in Calendar can be fiddly, but not if you use Siri. The phrase “Add a meeting at 9am tomorrow to my calendar” is a quick way to get it done. Siri understands natural language, and is location–aware, too.

6 Rain or shine

Speaking of location–awareness, say “Will I need an umbrella today?” and Siri will use your Mac’s location to look up the weather forecast, giving you a quick way to check before leaving the house.

7 Work it out

Saving your work address in Contacts can give rise to some useful Siri prompts. Say “Remind me to speak to Jane when I get to work” to add a reminder that will give you a buzz when you get to the office.

8 Sing your heart out

Heard an earworm that you don’t know the name of? “Play the song that goes ‘and after all, you’re my wonderwall’” searches the Apple Music database to find the song whose lyrics match, then plays it.