How to Make Siri Speak Text: A Comprehensive Guide

The ability to have Siri read text aloud is a game-changer for accessibility, multitasking, and even just taking a break from staring at your screen. There are several methods to achieve this, each with its own set of advantages. Let’s break down how to make Siri speak text on your Apple devices:

1. Using Speak Screen: This is perhaps the most robust and versatile method. Navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content. Enable Speak Screen. Once enabled, simply swipe down with two fingers from the top of the screen. Siri will then read all visible text on the screen aloud. You’ll also get a small controller allowing you to pause, play, adjust speed, and skip forward or backward.

2. Using Speak Selection: This allows you to select specific text you want Siri to read. In Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content, enable Speak Selection. Now, when you select text anywhere on your device, a “Speak” option will appear in the contextual menu. Tap “Speak,” and Siri will read the selected text.

3. Using Shortcuts: You can create custom Siri Shortcuts to read text. Open the Shortcuts app, create a new shortcut, and search for the “Speak Text” action. You can then configure this shortcut to take input from the clipboard or other sources. This method is more advanced but provides great flexibility. You can trigger these shortcuts using Siri voice commands or add them to your home screen.

4. Using Voice Control: While primarily designed for controlling your device with your voice, Voice Control can also be used to read text. Enable Voice Control in Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control. Once enabled, you can say commands like “Read this” or “Read the email” to have Siri read the relevant text.

5. Using Safari’s Reader View: For web pages in Safari, use Reader View (the icon that looks like lines on the left side of the address bar). Sometimes this cleans up the webpage’s text for easier reading and allows the Speak Screen or Speak Selection features to function more consistently.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Siri Speaking Text

H3 1. Why isn’t “Speak” showing up when I select text?

Ensure that Speak Selection is enabled in Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content. If it’s already enabled, try restarting your device. Sometimes a simple reboot can resolve unexpected software glitches. Also, ensure that the text you are trying to select is selectable. Some images or elements within apps might appear as text but aren’t actually selectable.

H3 2. How do I change Siri’s voice and speaking rate?

You can adjust the voice and speaking rate in Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content. Look for the “Voices” and “Speaking Rate” options. Within “Voices,” you can choose different languages and dialects. The Speaking Rate slider allows you to adjust how fast or slow Siri speaks. Experiment to find a voice and speed that suits your preferences.

H3 3. Can Siri read text in languages other than English?

Yes, Siri can read text in many different languages. To change the language Siri uses, go to Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content > Voices. Choose the language you want Siri to use. You might need to download the voice pack for that language.

H3 4. Is it possible to make Siri read text from an image?

Out of the box, Siri itself cannot directly read text from an image. However, you can use the Live Text feature (available on newer iPhones and iPads). Live Text allows you to select text within an image. Once you select the text, you can use the Speak Selection feature to have Siri read it. Alternatively, you can use third-party apps that perform Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to extract text from images and then have Siri read the extracted text.

H3 5. How can I make Siri read an entire article on a website?

The best way to read an entire article on a website is to use Safari’s Reader View in conjunction with Speak Screen. First, open the article in Safari and activate Reader View (if available). Then, swipe down with two fingers from the top of the screen to activate Speak Screen. Siri will then read the entire article aloud.

H3 6. Does Speak Screen work on all apps?

Speak Screen should work on most apps that display text. However, some apps might not be fully compatible, especially if they use custom text rendering techniques. If Speak Screen isn’t working in a particular app, try using Speak Selection instead or contact the app developer to report the issue.

H3 7. Can I use Speak Screen in a quiet environment without disturbing others?

Yes, you can use Speak Screen with headphones or earbuds. Siri’s voice will be routed through your connected audio device, allowing you to listen privately.

H3 8. How do I stop Speak Screen once it’s started?

There are several ways to stop Speak Screen:

• Tap the pause button in the Speak Screen controller.
• Swipe up on the Speak Screen controller to close it.
• Say “Hey Siri, stop reading.” (If “Hey Siri” is enabled).
• Press the volume buttons repeatedly until the volume is muted.

H3 9. How do I customize the Speak Screen controller?

The Speak Screen controller is not highly customizable in terms of its appearance or functionality. However, you can adjust its position on the screen by dragging it around. Apple might introduce more customization options in future iOS updates.

H3 10. What is the difference between Speak Screen and VoiceOver?

Speak Screen is designed to read the text that is currently visible on the screen. VoiceOver, on the other hand, is a comprehensive screen reader designed for users who are blind or have low vision. VoiceOver provides detailed descriptions of everything on the screen, including images, buttons, and other interface elements. VoiceOver is a more complex and feature-rich accessibility tool than Speak Screen.

H3 11. Can I create a Siri Shortcut to read text from a specific app?

Yes, you can create a Siri Shortcut to read text from a specific app. You would need to use the “Get Text from Input” action in the Shortcuts app, combined with actions to identify the app and extract the relevant text. This requires some scripting knowledge and familiarity with the Shortcuts app’s capabilities. This is an advanced use case, but offers the most flexibility.

H3 12. Is there a way to highlight the text as Siri reads it aloud?

Unfortunately, there is no built-in feature in iOS to highlight the text as Siri reads it aloud with Speak Screen or Speak Selection. Some third-party reading apps might offer this functionality, but it is not a standard feature of the operating system. This is a commonly requested feature, and Apple may add it in a future update. For now, relying on your visual focus alongside Siri’s reading is the primary method.