With every iOS update, Apple brings a range of new features, improvements, and, sometimes, unexpected changes. When I upgraded to iOS 18 and iOS 18.1, I noticed something odd with the Speak Screen feature—the voice had reverted to the old, robotic-sounding Siri from 2011! It was jarring and, frankly, unpleasant to listen to. Thankfully, I found a way to restore the natural, smoother Siri voice that we’ve grown accustomed to. If you’re experiencing the same issue, here’s a step-by-step guide to getting the Siri voice you want back for Speak Screen.
Step-by-Step Guide to Changing the Voice of Speak Screen
1. Open the Settings App: Start by navigating to your iPhone’s Settings app.
2. Go to Accessibility: Scroll down and tap on “Accessibility.” This is where all your customization options for accessibility features are located.
3. Select Spoken Content: Within the Accessibility menu, tap on “Spoken Content.” This section allows you to adjust various text-to-speech settings on your device.
4. Tap on Voices: Next, tap on “Voices.” Here, you’ll see a list of all available voices you can choose from.
5. Download Siri Voice 4: If you’re looking to get the familiar, natural Siri voice back, scroll through the list of available voices and find “Siri Voice 4.” Tap on it and download the voice package. Once it’s downloaded, it will automatically be set as your Speak Screen voice.
By following these steps, the Speak Screen feature will no longer use the outdated voice, providing a much more pleasant listening experience.
Bonus Tip: Adding Speak Screen as an Accessibility Shortcut
For those who frequently use Speak Screen, adding it as an accessibility shortcut can make it even easier to activate. You can set it up so that a quick triple-click of your iPhone’s side (or Siri) button will activate Speak Screen instantly. Here’s how to set that up:
1. Open Settings: Go back to your iPhone’s main Settings menu.
2. Go to Accessibility: Scroll down and select “Accessibility.”
3. Scroll Down and Tap on Accessibility Shortcut: This option is usually at the bottom of the Accessibility menu. Tap on it to open the list of available shortcuts.
4. Select Speak Screen: From the list, tap on “Speak Screen” to add it as one of your accessibility shortcuts.
Now, whenever you triple-click the side button, Speak Screen will activate, reading aloud whatever is on your screen using the new voice settings.
Final Thoughts
Adjusting the voice settings for Speak Screen can make a big difference, especially for those who rely on the feature for accessibility or productivity. With iOS 18, it’s clear that Apple made some changes that might not be to everyone’s taste, but thankfully, they also made it easy to adjust back to what works best for you.
If you’ve had the same experience or have other tips about using Speak Screen, feel free to share them in the comments below!
