Text-to-speech reads text aloud on your screen so you can listen instead of read

Text-to-speech is built into every major operating system. On Windows and Mac, you highlight the words you want read and press a keyboard shortcut. On iPhone and Android, you turn on a setting that reads aloud anything on your screen — web pages, emails, documents, even social media posts. The voice quality and speed are adjustable on all devices.

You do not need to install anything or pay for a separate program. The feature is already there; you just need to know where to find the switch.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows and Mac both have text-to-speech built in, activated through Settings or System Preferences, and work by highlighting text and using a keyboard shortcut.
  • iPhone has a feature called Speak Screen that reads aloud anything on your display, turned on in Settings under Accessibility.
  • Android devices use Select to Speak, which reads highlighted text, or TalkBack, which reads your entire screen aloud continuously.
  • You can adjust voice speed and choose between male and female voices on all devices, and these settings stay the same once you set them.

How to enable text-to-speech on Windows 10 and 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then click the Settings app. Go to Accessibility on the left side, then click Text-to-speech. You will see a section called "Text-to-speech voice" with a dropdown menu showing the current voice.

To use text-to-speech, open any document, email, or web page. Highlight the text you want read aloud by clicking and dragging your mouse over it. Right-click the highlighted text and look for an option that says "Read aloud" or "Speak". If you do not see it, you may need to enable it first: go back to Settings > Accessibility > Text-to-speech and make sure the toggle for "Read aloud" is turned on.

To change the voice speed, go to Settings > Accessibility > Text-to-speech and adjust the slider under "Voice speed". You can also choose a different voice from the dropdown menu — Windows offers several male and female voices.

How to enable text-to-speech on Mac

Open System Preferences by clicking the Apple menu in the top left corner and selecting System Preferences. Click Accessibility, then click Speech in the left sidebar. You will see an option that says "Speak selected text when the key is pressed". Check that box.

Next to it, you will see a field that says "Keyboard shortcut". The default is usually Option + Esc, but you can change it to any combination you prefer. Write down or remember the shortcut you choose.

To use it, open any document or web page. Highlight the text you want read aloud by clicking and dragging. Press your keyboard shortcut (Option + Esc by default). The text will play through your speakers. To change the voice or speed, stay in System Preferences > Accessibility > Speech and use the dropdown menus under "System voice" and the slider under "Speaking rate".

How to enable Speak Screen on iPhone

Open Settings and scroll down to Accessibility. Tap Speech, then toggle on "Speak Screen". You will see a new option appear called "Speaking Rate" — adjust this slider to make the voice faster or slower.

Once it is turned on, swipe down from the top of your screen with two fingers (use two fingers, not one) on any page — a web page, email, Notes app, Messages, anywhere there is text. A playback bar will appear at the top with a play button. Tap the play button and the text on your screen will be read aloud. You can pause, skip forward, or skip backward using the controls in that bar.

To choose a different voice, go back to Settings > Accessibility > Speech and tap "Voices". You will see options for different accents and genders. Select the one you prefer.

How to enable Select to Speak on Android

Open Settings and go to Accessibility. Scroll down and tap Select to Speak. Toggle it on. A blue circle icon will now appear on your screen when you are using your phone.

To use it, tap the blue circle, then tap and hold the text you want read aloud. Release your finger and the text will play through your speaker. You can adjust the speaking speed by going back to Settings > Accessibility > Select to Speak and moving the "Speech rate" slider.

If you want text-to-speech to read your entire screen aloud automatically instead of just selected text, use TalkBack instead: go to Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack and toggle it on. TalkBack reads everything you touch, which takes more getting used to but is powerful for continuous reading.

Adjusting voice speed and choosing a different voice

Every device lets you slow down or speed up the voice. On Windows and Mac, this is in the same Settings or System Preferences menu where you turned on text-to-speech. On iPhone, it is in Settings > Accessibility > Speech > Speaking Rate. On Android, it is in Settings > Accessibility > Select to Speak > Speech rate.

You can also choose between male and female voices, and on some devices, different accents. These settings stay the same once you set them, so you only have to adjust them once. If you find the default voice too fast or too slow, start with the middle of the slider and adjust from there.

What to do if text-to-speech is not working

First, check that the feature is actually turned on. Go back to the Settings menu where you enabled it and confirm the toggle is switched to on. On Windows, make sure "Read aloud" is enabled in Settings > Accessibility > Text-to-speech.

Second, check your volume. Make sure your device volume is not muted and is turned up loud enough to hear. On Windows and Mac, check the volume icon in the system tray or menu bar. On iPhone and Android, use the physical volume buttons on the side of the phone.

Third, try restarting the app or browser you are using. Close it completely and open it again. If text-to-speech still does not work, restart your device — turn it off and back on. This fixes most temporary glitches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use text-to-speech while doing other things on my phone?

Yes. On iPhone, once you start Speak Screen, you can lock your phone or switch to another app and the reading will continue. On Android with Select to Speak, the same is true — the text will keep playing even if you switch apps. With TalkBack, you can navigate and interact with your phone while it reads to you.

Does text-to-speech work on websites and social media?

Yes. On all devices, text-to-speech reads the text that appears on your screen, whether it is a website, email, social media post, or document. The only exception is images with text inside them — the voice cannot read text that is part of a picture.

Can I read a different voice that sounds more natural?

The voices that come with your device are the main options without paying for third-party apps. Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android all offer multiple built-in voices at no cost. If you want additional voices, some apps in the app store offer them, but the built-in voices are usually enough for most people.

What if I want text-to-speech to read everything automatically without me selecting text?

On iPhone, Speak Screen requires you to swipe with two fingers each time. If you want continuous reading, use the Accessibility feature called "Speak Selection" or look into third-party apps. On Android, TalkBack reads your entire screen aloud automatically as you navigate — it is more powerful but takes practice to learn.

Does using text-to-speech drain my battery faster?

Text-to-speech uses a small amount of processing power and battery, but the drain is minimal — similar to playing music or a video. You will not notice a significant difference in battery life from turning it on.