BYD Shark 6 Voice Control: Best Commands Every Owner Should Know

The BYD Shark 6 uses the BYD Assistant voice system, woken with the phrase "Hi BYD", the steering wheel voice button, or the touchscreen icon. It understands natural language, so you can request navigation, climate, media, and phone functions by speaking normally. Confirmed examples from the manual include "Go home", "Play music", "Start DAB+", "Make a call", and "Set the temperature to 23 degrees". Because it reads natural phrasing, you do not need to memorise exact wording.

20 Useful BYD Shark 6 Voice Commands

Category	Example Command
Wake	"Hi BYD"
Navigation	"Go home"
Navigation	"Navigate to [destination]"
Navigation	"Find the nearest petrol station"
Navigation	"Take me to work"
Climate	"Set the temperature to 23 degrees"
Climate	"Turn on the air conditioning"
Climate	"Turn on the driver's seat ventilation"
Climate	"Turn on the windscreen demister"
Climate	"Increase the fan speed"
Media	"Play music"
Media	"Start DAB+"
Media	"Next track"
Media	"Turn up the volume"
Phone	"Make a call"
Phone	"Call [contact name]"
Phone	"Answer the call"
Phone	"Reject the call"
Windows	"Open the driver's window"
Windows	"Close all the windows"

Activating Voice Control: Wake Word Setup

There are three ways to wake the BYD Assistant, and all three work the same way:

• Say the wake word: "Hi BYD"
• Steering wheel button: Press the voice button on the steering wheel briefly
• Touchscreen: Tap the voice assistant icon on the infotainment screen

Once woken, give your command following the prompts on the touchscreen. In a noisy cabin, the steering wheel button is the most reliable way to activate it.

Climate Commands: Temperature, Fan, Defrost

Climate is one of the assistant's strongest areas. The manual confirms commands like setting a specific temperature and turning on seat ventilation.

• "Set the temperature to 23 degrees"
• "Turn on the air conditioning"
• "Turn on the driver's seat ventilation"
• "Turn on the windscreen demister"

Being able to set climate hands-free is genuinely useful on the move, keeping your eyes on the road. 

Navigation Commands: Destinations and POI Search

The assistant handles navigation requests, including saved shortcuts and point-of-interest searches.

• "Go home" (requires a home shortcut location to be set first)
• "Navigate to [destination]"
• "Find the nearest petrol station"

Set your home and work shortcut locations in advance so the simple "Go home" command works instantly.

Media Commands: Play, Skip, Volume

Music and radio respond well to voice. The manual confirms "Play music" and "Start DAB+".

• "Play music"
• "Start DAB+"
• "Next track"
• "Turn up the volume"

Phone Commands: Dial, Answer, Reject

Phone control requires Bluetooth to be connected and your contacts synced to the vehicle.

• "Make a call"
• "Call [contact name]"
• "Answer the call"
• "Reject the call"

With contacts synced, calling by name is far safer than reaching for your phone while driving.

ADAS Commands: A Note on Driver-Assist Settings

Safety-critical driver-assist features such as adaptive cruise control and lane keeping are primarily controlled through the touchscreen ADAS menus rather than by voice. To adjust them, go to the touchscreen, then ADAS, then Driving Assist or Safety Assist.

For a full walkthrough of each system and how to enable or disable it, see our guide to every Shark 6 driver-assistance system and how it works.

Vehicle Commands: Windows, Climate, and Configuration

The assistant can control a range of in-vehicle devices, though the exact functions available depend on your vehicle's configuration. Window control is a common example:

• "Open the driver's window"
• "Close all the windows"

Functions like tailgate operation and door locking may be handled through the My Car vehicle control screen rather than voice, depending on your model. The manual notes vehicle control functions are subject to the actual configuration of the vehicle, so check what your Shark 6 supports.

Tips for Better Voice Recognition in Noisy Cabins

A ute cabin can get noisy with wind, road, and worksite sound. These tips improve recognition:

• Use the steering wheel button instead of the wake word when background noise is high
• Close the windows before speaking to cut wind noise
• Lower the fan speed momentarily if the climate system is roaring
• Speak naturally and clearly, at a normal pace rather than shouting
• Wait for the prompt on the touchscreen before giving your command

Changing the Wake Word Language

The BYD Assistant's recognition language follows your system language setting. To change it, go to the system settings and select your preferred language, which updates how the assistant interprets your commands.

Keeping your software current also improves voice features over time. Our guide on keeping your Shark 6 software up to date explains how OTA updates refine the system.

Common Mistakes Shark 6 Owners Make

• Not setting shortcut locations. "Go home" only works once a home location is saved.
• Forgetting Bluetooth for calls. Phone commands need Bluetooth connected and contacts synced.
• Speaking before the prompt. Wait for the assistant to wake before giving your command.
• Expecting voice to toggle every ADAS feature. Safety systems are mainly set through the touchscreen menus.
• Shouting over cabin noise. Use the steering wheel button and speak normally instead.

The Shark 6's BYD Assistant makes everyday driving safer by keeping your hands on the wheel. Learn the wake word, set your shortcut locations, connect Bluetooth, and lean on natural-language commands for navigation, climate, media, and calls. In noisy conditions, the steering wheel button is your friend.