How to change how you hear directions in Maps on iPhone

You can customize how turn-by-turn directions are spoken by changing their volume, voice, language, and interaction with your other audio.

You can change the default volume, or hear a different language or voice, and you can preview each voice before you choose one. Directions that start somewhere other than My Location show a Steps button, though, and aren’t spoken.

Here’s how to change how you hear directions in Maps on iPhone.

Note: Turn-by-turn spoken directions only work when your iPhone is connected to the internet and Precise Location is turned on.

Cellular data rates may apply.

Spoken turn-by-turn directions aren’t available in all countries or regions.

Change the volume for spoken directions

1. Open the Maps app on your iPhone.
2. Get driving, cycling, or walking directions, then tap Go.

   Note: When directions start in a location other than My Location, you see a Steps button instead of Go, and no directions are spoken.

3. Tap the Audio Control button on the map (for example, the Unmuted button) and then choose an option.

To change the default volume, go to the Settings app , tap Apps, then tap Maps.

Tap Spoken Directions, then choose an option below Voice Volume.

Hear a different language or voice for spoken directions

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Siri and then change any of the following:
   • Language: Tap Language and tap a language to select it as your primary Siri language.
   • Voice: Tap Voice and tap to hear the different options.

Change how directions and other audio interact

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Apps, then tap Maps.
3. Tap Spoken Directions and then do any of the following:
   • Pause spoken word media for steps in the directions: Turn on Directions Pause Spoken Audio.

     When this feature is on, media like podcasts and audiobooks automatically pause as each step is spoken.

   • Play steps in the directions over the car speakers: Turn on Directions on Radio. (Supported cars only.)

Wake the display for steps in the directions

Your iPhone may go to sleep if there’s a long stretch of time in your route when nothing happens.

To see your progress, you can set the iPhone display to turn on.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Apps, then tap Maps.
3. Tap Spoken Directions and then turn on Directions Wake Device.

When you start with a location other than My Location, a Steps button appears instead of Go, and no directions are spoken.