How to type to speak using Live Speech on iPhone

If you’re unable to speak or have lost your speech over time, you can use Live Speech on iPhone to have what you type spoken out loud during in-person conversations and in apps like FaceTime. You can choose from dozens of system voices or use a Personal Voice you create.

You can also save phrases and have them spoken out loud, and allow audio from other apps in calls, too.

Note: Live Speech is not available in all languages.

Have what you type spoken out loud

1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Accessibility and tap Live Speech. Then turn on Live Speech.
3. Triple-click the side button or Home button (depending on your iPhone model). Tap Live Speech (if the Accessibility Shortcut is set up with more than one feature).
4. Tap the Live Speech window, type what you want to have spoken and then tap Speak.

You can also paste copied text into the window, or tap suggested words that appear above the keyboard as you type.

If you’re on a FaceTime call, the other end of the call gets Live Speech. If not, your iPhone outputs Live Speech through its speaker.

Have saved phrases spoken out loud

Live Speech gives you a list of phrases you use often to choose from, and you can sort your phrases into custom categories like school or work.

1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Accessibility and tap Live Speech. Then turn on Live Speech.
3. Tap Phrases and then do any of the following:
   • Create a new category: Tap the Add category button, enter a category name, select an icon, and tap Add Category.
   • Add a new saved phrase: Tap a category, tap the Add phrase button, enter a phrase, and then tap Save.
4. Triple-click the side button or Home button (depending on your iPhone model). Tap Live Speech (if the Accessibility Shortcut is set up with more than one feature).
5. Tap the Phrases window and then do any of the following:
   • Speak a phrase from a saved category: Scroll to the left to select a category, then tap a phrase.
   • Quickly add a new phrase: Tap the Add phrase button in any category, enter a phrase and tap done. Then tap the phrase.
   • Quickly speak a recently used phrase: Tap Recent and then tap a phrase.

To remove a phrase, swipe left on it, then tap Delete.

Allow audio from other apps in calls

If you use apps that assist with speaking and communication, it can help to make audio from apps audible in voice and video calls.

1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Accessibility, tap Audio & Visual, and tap Add Audio in Calls.
3. Turn on Allow Apps to Add Audio in Calls.

With this option on, calls include both audio and microphone input. Muting the microphone silences all audio during a call.