Activating text to speech on your iPhone is a breeze and can be super handy for those times when you’d rather listen than read. It’s a simple process that involves a few taps in your settings, and voila! Your iPhone will read out text for you. Whether you’re looking to have emails, articles, or even books read aloud, this feature has got you covered.
Step by Step Tutorial: Activate Text to Speech on iPhone
Before we dive into the steps, let’s quickly talk about what we’re aiming to achieve here. Activating text to speech on your iPhone allows your device to read out text displayed on the screen. It’s a great accessibility feature for those with visual impairments, or for anyone who wants to consume written content audibly.
Step 1: Open the Settings App
Tap on the ‘Settings’ app on your iPhone home screen to begin.
The ‘Settings’ app is the one with the gear icon. You can usually find it on your home screen, but if you’ve moved it, you can also swipe down on your home screen and use the search bar to find it.
Step 2: Select ‘Accessibility’
Scroll down and tap on ‘Accessibility’ in the settings menu.
‘Accessibility’ is where Apple houses all the settings that make the iPhone easier to use for people with various disabilities. It includes features like VoiceOver, Zoom, and, of course, text to speech.
Step 3: Tap on ‘Spoken Content’
Once you’re in the ‘Accessibility’ menu, look for the option that says ‘Spoken Content’ and tap on it.
‘Spoken Content’ is where you’ll find all the text to speech settings. This is where you can customize how your iPhone reads text out loud.
Step 4: Toggle on ‘Speak Selection’ and/or ‘Speak Screen’
Turn on ‘Speak Selection’ and/or ‘Speak Screen’ by tapping the switches next to them.
‘Speak Selection’ will read aloud text you select with a tap and hold gesture, while ‘Speak Screen’ will read everything on the screen when you swipe down with two fingers from the top of the screen.
After completing these steps, your iPhone will now be able to read text out loud to you. It’s like having your own personal narrator! You can use this feature to have your iPhone read out web pages, emails, and even books. Plus, there’s a range of voices and languages to choose from, so you can customize the experience to suit you.
Tips for Using Text to Speech on iPhone
- Use headphones for a better listening experience, especially in noisy environments.
- Adjust the speaking rate to your preference. You can make the voice speak slower or faster.
- Choose a voice that you find pleasant. There are several options available, including different accents and languages.
- Remember to select text before using ‘Speak Selection.’ Simply tap and hold on the text, then use the blue markers to highlight the desired text.
- Use ‘Speak Screen’ for long-form content. It’s perfect for reading articles or books without having to interact with the screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change the voice for text to speech?
Go to ‘Settings,’ then ‘Accessibility,’ followed by ‘Spoken Content,’ and tap on ‘Voices’ to choose a different voice.
Can I use text to speech for any app?
Most apps that display text will support text to speech, but some apps might have their own settings you’ll need to adjust.
Is text to speech available in other languages?
Yes, you can download additional voices in different languages from the ‘Voices’ menu in the ‘Spoken Content’ settings.
Can I use text to speech when my iPhone is on silent mode?
Yes, text to speech will work even if your iPhone is on silent mode, as long as the volume is up.
Is there a way to pause the text to speech?
Yes, you can pause and resume the text to speech by tapping on the screen during playback.
Summary
- Open the ‘Settings’ app.
- Tap on ‘Accessibility’.
- Select ‘Spoken Content’.
- Enable ‘Speak Selection’ and/or ‘Speak Screen’.
Conclusion
Now you know how to activate text to speech on iPhone, a feature that not only makes life easier but also enriches the way we consume content. Whether you’re multitasking, have difficulty reading small print, or simply want to rest your eyes, text to speech is a valuable tool that’s waiting to be utilized. With the ability to customize voices, languages, and speaking rates, your iPhone can transform into a personal assistant ready to read aloud whatever you throw at it. So go ahead, give those tired eyes a break, and let your iPhone do the talking.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.