Imagine effortlessly communicating, even when words fail you. Apple’s Live Speech transforms your iPhone or iPad into a powerful voice, breaking down barriers and amplifying inclusivity. Whether navigating speech impairments or cutting through noisy environments, Live Speech lets you type what you want to say and have it spoken aloud during calls or in person. Discover how to unlock this game-changing accessibility feature and experience communication on a whole new level.
Good to know : check these voice control features on your iPhone for hands-free use.
Who Can Use Live Speech
Live Speech is available on the following devices:
- iPhone XS or later
- iPad Air (5th generation)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation) or later
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation) or later
- Mac with Apple silicon
- Apple Watch Series 3 or later
Live Speech also requires your device to run the following software:
- iOS 17 and up
- iPadOS 17 and up
- macOS Sonoma and up (14.0)
- watchOS 10 or later
Enable Live Speech on Your Device
To use Live Speech during calls, you’ll first have to enable it on your device.
Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. Navigate toAccessibilityand tap to open the menu.
Find theSpeechsection and tap onLive Speech.
Toggle on theLive Speechoption at the top.
Want to turbocharge your Live Speech during calls? Unlock the secret weapon: Guided Access.
For that, go back to theAccessibilitymenu and find theGeneralsection. TapGuided Access.
At the top, flip the “Guided Access” switch to “on.” Doing so unlocks a hidden menu of features, including the all-important “Accessibility Shortcut” – make sure this is activated too!
Tip : learn how to fix cellular data not working on iPhone and iPad.
Activate Live Speech During Calls
Unleash your voice! Triple-click the side or home button on your iPhone to instantly conjure the Live Speech magic. Use it on regular calls or elevate your FaceTime game – it’s your voice, amplified.
When you do that, a menu will pop up from the bottom. SelectLive Speech.
Unleash your iPhone’s inner voice! With the new Live Speech feature, you can now type any phrase and have your iPhone speak it aloud during a call. Simply craft your message, then tap “Speak” to let your phone do the talking.
Missed the message? HitRedoand hear it again, crystal clear.
Alternatively, you can press theStopbutton to have your iPhone cease speaking.
You can immediately delete the text by pressing the trash can icon and quickly writing another phrase.
Changing Voice & Language for Live Speech
Want Live Speech to speak a different language? It’s a snap! Just dive intoSettings, thenAccessibility, and finally,Live Speechto pick your preferred tongue.
Look at theVoicessection and select one in your preferred language.
Unlock multilingual voices! First, add a keyboard for your desired language under Settings > General > Keyboard > Add New Keyboard. Once installed, language-specific voices will become available.
Want Live Speech to sound a little less…you? Give your digital voice a makeover! Simply tap your current default voice (probably that familiar Siri Voice 4) and explore a whole new vocal identity for your calls.
Curious about the sound of your new voice? Give each option a listen by tapping thePlaybutton. When you discover the perfect tone, snag it for your library by hittingDownload.
Fine-tune voices to your liking! Adjust speed and pitch, explore unique timbres, and manipulate sentence pauses. (Even more voice-sculpting options await with select voices.)
FYI : need to exit a situation quickly? Here’s how to get rescued by a fake phone call.
Using Your Own Voice in Live Speech
Tired of robotic voices? Unleash your own! Live Speech letsyourvoice do the talking.
Navigate toSettings ->Accessiblityand look forPersonal Voicein theSpeechsection.
Tap onCreate a Personal Voiceat the top.
Press theContinuebutton on the next two screens to initiate the process of creating your personal voice.
Choose your language.
Name your voice and pressContinue.
Is your space serenely quiet? Now, your iPhone will intelligently sense the calm, giving you the green light to begin.
Unleash your digital voice! In just 15 minutes, by uttering 150 carefully chosen phrases, you can create a personalized voice. Speak naturally, as if chatting with a friend, and watch your unique soundprint come to life.
Afterward, patience is key. Let your iPhone or iPad complete the process uninterrupted, ensuring it remains connected to a power source.
When everything is ready, you’ll be able to find your voice under theLive Speech ->Voices.
Adding Phrases to Live Speech
Tired of retyping your favorite catchphrases or those long, specific names? Unleash the power of Live Speech and add them to your personalized library! Say goodbye to repetitive typing and hello to effortless communication.
To add a new phrase, go toSettings ->Accesibility ->Live Speechand selectPhrases.
You can create a new phrase category by pressing the+button in the right corner.
Name the category and choose an icon for it.
Back on thePhrasesscreen, tap on the new category (Savedis available by default).
Press on the+button in the upper right corner.
Type your phrase in the top field and then pressSave.
Want to spice up your incall communication? While using Live Speech, tap the discreet arrow nestled beside theKeyboardicon to unlock a world of quick phrases. Say more with a single tap!
“Your phrase vault awaits! Find the category harboring your desired phrase. Unleash its power with a single tap, and let your iPhone give it voice.”
To add a new phrase in the same category, tap the+Phrasebutton underneath the existing items.
Or, for a quicker route, swipe right to uncover the “+Category” button and unlock a cascade of new phrases to enrich your conversations.
Unleash the power of text shortcuts in Live Speech! Type quickly and efficiently using custom abbreviations. Just remember, while words flow freely, emojis and special characters are still finding their voice in this feature.
Unlock a hidden superpower of your iPhone: recording and transcribing calls! Discover how to capture important conversations and transform them into searchable text.
Speaking of superpowers, are you prepared for the unexpected? Learn how to activate Emergency SOS on your iPhone – it could save your life.
Thanks for reading How to Make Your iPhone Speak for You During Calls with Live Speech
