If you want your iPad to read to you, it’s easier than you might think. By enabling a few settings, you can get your iPad to speak text aloud from any document, webpage, or app. Here’s a quick guide on how to do it in just a few steps!
How to Get iPad to Read to You
These steps will guide you through setting up your iPad to read text aloud, making life easier for anyone who prefers listening over reading.
Step 1: Open Settings
Navigate to the “Settings” app on your iPad.
The Settings app is like the command center of your iPad. It’s where you can adjust everything from Wi-Fi connections to display brightness. For now, we’ll be diving into the accessibility features.
Step 2: Go to Accessibility
Scroll down and tap “Accessibility.”
The Accessibility menu is your gateway to making your iPad more user-friendly. From here, you can enable features that assist with vision, hearing, and motor skills.
Step 3: Select Spoken Content
Find and tap on “Spoken Content” within the Accessibility menu.
The Spoken Content section is specifically designed to help with reading text aloud. It’s a treasure trove of settings that can transform your iPad into your personal narrator.
Step 4: Enable Speak Selection
Turn on “Speak Selection” by toggling the switch.
Speak Selection allows you to highlight text and have it read to you. It’s perfect for reading specific passages without turning on full-blown voiceover features.
Step 5: Enable Speak Screen
Toggle the switch to enable “Speak Screen.”
Speak Screen takes things up a notch. With a two-finger swipe from the top of the screen, your iPad will read everything displayed on the screen. This is great for reading entire articles or lengthy documents.
Step 6: Adjust Speaking Rate
Slide the “Speaking Rate” slider to adjust how fast or slow the iPad reads aloud.
Everyone has their own pace for listening. Adjusting the speaking rate ensures the reading speed is just right for you. Too fast and you might miss details; too slow and it might get a bit boring.
Step 7: Enable Highlight Content
Turn on “Highlight Content” if you want the text to be highlighted as it is read.
Highlight Content can be very handy. It visually tracks the words as they are spoken, making it easier to follow along.
After completing these steps, your iPad will be equipped to read text aloud, enhancing your reading experience significantly.
Tips for Getting iPad to Read to You
- Experiment with Voices: You can change the voice and language used for reading. Try different voices to find one you enjoy listening to.
- Use Siri: You can ask Siri to read certain texts to you. Just say “Hey Siri, read this.”
- Try Different Apps: Some apps have built-in reading features, like Kindle or iBooks.
- Use Headphones: To get the best audio experience, especially in noisy environments, use headphones.
- Explore Other Accessibility Features: The Accessibility menu has other helpful features like VoiceOver and Zoom that might be useful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the voice that my iPad uses to read aloud?
Yes, you can change the voice and even the language in the Spoken Content settings. Simply tap “Voices” to explore different options.
Does using Speak Screen drain my battery faster?
Using Speak Screen may use a bit more battery, but it’s not significant. It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your battery usage, though.
Can I get my iPad to read in different languages?
Absolutely! You can add multiple languages in the Voices section under Spoken Content settings. This is useful for multilingual users.
Is there a way to pause or stop the reading?
Yes, you can pause or stop the reading by tapping the speech bubble that appears on the screen when reading is active.
Can I have my iPad read PDFs or eBooks?
Yes, the iPad can read text from PDFs and eBooks. Simply open the file and use Speak Screen or Speak Selection.
Summary
- Open Settings.
- Go to Accessibility.
- Select Spoken Content.
- Enable Speak Selection.
- Enable Speak Screen.
- Adjust Speaking Rate.
- Enable Highlight Content.
Conclusion
Getting your iPad to read to you is a fantastic feature that enhances your reading experience and accessibility. Whether you’re multitasking, giving your eyes a break, or simply enjoying the convenience, this functionality is a game-changer.
By following these simple steps, you can transform your iPad into your personal narrator. Experiment with different voices and settings to find what works best for you. Don’t forget to explore other accessibility features that might further improve your device’s usability.
If you found this guide helpful, why not share it with friends or family who might benefit? Keep exploring the amazing features of your iPad, and happy listening!
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.