Apple’s built-in text-to-speech (TTS) technology empowers your iPhone or iPad to vocalize digital texts, offering unparalleled multitasking flexibility. This feature supports multiple languages, enhancing its versatility for users who need speech-to-text functionality in different linguistic contexts.
This feature allows users to have emails and other articles read aloud, whether during a daily commute or while cooking dinner.
In this article
- Key Takeaways
- What is Text-to-Speech (TTS)?
- Understanding iPhone’s Text-to-Speech
- Activating TTS on Your iPhone
- Typing Feedback and Read Aloud
- Free Third-Party TTS Apps for iPhone
- Troubleshooting Common TTS Issues
- Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
This blog post will guide you through enabling, customizing and utilizing TTS on an iPhone or iPad for an optimal spoken experience.
Key Takeaways
- Discover the transformative power of text-to-speech (TTS) on your iPhone and learn to activate, customize and utilize its myriad features.
- Explore free third-party apps for alternatives or supplements to TTS.
- Troubleshoot common issues with insights on restarting the device, reviewing settings and exploring different apps. The app makes it easy to activate TTS features by simply tapping to start the dictation mode.
What is Text-to-Speech (TTS)?
Text-to-speech (TTS) is a remarkable technology that transforms written text into spoken words, making it easier for users to consume information without reading it themselves. This feature is widely used in various applications, such as eLearning platforms, audiobooks and language learning software. On the iPhone, TTS is known as Speak Screen, a feature that can read aloud text displayed on your screen, including articles, emails and text messages. By simply tapping the screen, you can have your iPhone read aloud any digital text, providing a hands-free way to stay informed and entertained.
Understanding iPhone’s Text-to-Speech
The iPhone boasts an accessibility feature — Text-to-Speech (TTS) — which vocalizes digital text.
This tool is invaluable for individuals with vision, hearing, or learning disabilities. It allows them to listen while typing, read web pages aloud and more. The Spoken Content settings are in the Vision section of the Accessibility menu.
It’s a handy tool for college students wishing to hear their notes on the go and support for children with reading difficulties like dyslexia.
Activating TTS on Your iPhone
Enabling TTS involves activating the Spoken Content options, toggling Speak Selection and Screen Reading functions and customizing voice type and speaking speed. A stable internet connection is essential for proper functionality and recognition accuracy of TTS features.
This guide will elaborate on these processes further.
Accessing Spoken Content Settings
From your home screen, open the Settings app and navigate to Accessibility. Select Spoken Content to adjust a range of Text-To-Speech features on your iPhone or iPad.
This menu offers comprehensive control over how spoken content is experienced on Apple devices.
Enabling Speak Selection and Speak Screen
Activating Speak Selection and Speak Screen is straightforward. Switch both options ‘on’ from the Spoken Content settings menu. Speak Selection vocalizes highlighted text, whereas Speak Screen reads all content displayed on your screen simultaneously.
Customizing Voice and Speaking Rate
To tailor your TTS journey, modify the Voice and Speaking Rate using the speech controller located in Spoken Content settings. Select a voice that suits your preference and adjust the slider to find your ideal speaking rate.
Utilizing iPhone’s Built-in TTS Features
The iPhone now offers a range of TTS settings to enhance your experience. Features like Speak Selection, Speak Screen and Typing Feedback are crafted to refine the interaction with speech technology, offering unique functions to maximize user benefits.
Safari Reader Mode
Safari’s Reader Mode is a remarkable feature that allows users to listen to web articles without additional tools or applications. To activate it, tap its icon in the address bar and customize the content.
Typing Feedback and Read Aloud
Typing Feedback is invaluable for those who want auditory confirmation while typing on their iPhones. This function can speak each character or word as you type, helping you catch errors or typos in real time. To enable Typing Feedback, navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content, and toggle on the “Typing Feedback” switch. You can customize this feature further by adjusting the speaking rate and choosing whether to speak words or individual characters.
Read Aloud is another powerful tool that allows your iPhone to vocalize selected text or the entire screen. To use Read Aloud, select the text you want to hear and tap “Speak” in the context menu. Alternatively, you can swipe down with two fingers from the top of the screen to activate Speak Screen, which will read aloud everything displayed on your screen. You can also adjust the speech speed and opt to highlight content as it’s read aloud, making it easier to follow along. These features ensure that you can consume digital content in a way that suits your needs, whether you’re reading an article, an email, or a text message.
Free Third-Party TTS Apps for iPhone
Several free third-party apps are available in the App Store as alternative or supplementary TTS tools. Applications like Voice Dream Reader and NaturalReader offer diverse customization options for individual needs.
Troubleshooting Common TTS Issues
If your iPhone’s TTS system isn’t functioning as expected, this guide will help you resolve common issues and restore functionality.
Rebooting your device, verifying all the spoken content settings for TTS are configured correctly and reinstalling or trying another app can often resolve the issues.
Summary
The Text-to-Speech feature on iPhones opens up the realms of convenience and enhanced accessibility.
It’s time to leverage your iPhone’s potent text-to-speech function and immerse yourself in text messaging, websites and more versatility through Text-To-Speech. Break free and interact digitally with greater convenience and accessibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the iPhone have TTS?
Yes, the iPhone features built-in Text-to-Speech capabilities, offering customizable settings for user convenience.
Can the iPhone convert speech to text?
Absolutely. The iPhone efficiently converts voice to text, allowing users to type or employ its Voice-Dictation technology, giving them control over their work.
How do I use talk text on my iPhone?
Press the microphone button in its screen’s bottom right corner and say what you want. Hit the little white keyboard icon when finished.
How do I get rid of TTS on my iPhone?
To turn off Text to Speech, open Settings, tap Accessibility and turn off VoiceOver.
Can TTS read web articles in Safari?
Yes. Safari offers a convenient built-in Text-to-Speech option, allowing users to listen to web articles directly.
Comments
I have disability and need help with my text
If you’re looking for speech-to-text converters, this blog post is a good starting point: https://www.voices.com/blog/free-speech-to-text-converters/