Where to find Google's voice settings

Google has a voice — the one that reads your search results aloud, guides you through Google Maps, or answers your questions on Google Assistant. You can change this voice on most devices where Google speaks to you. The exact steps depend on whether you use an Android phone, an iPhone, a computer, or a smart speaker.

The voice you hear is called text-to-speech, which means Google converts written words into spoken words using a recorded or synthesized voice. Google offers multiple voices to choose from, and some devices let you pick a male voice, a female voice, or even accented versions of English. You control this in your device's settings, not in Google's main app.

Start by opening the app or service where you hear Google's voice most often. If you use Google Assistant, open the Google Assistant app. If you use Google Maps, open Maps. If you use Search, you may need to go into your phone's system settings instead. The location of the voice setting changes depending on what you're using.

Key Takeaways

  • Google's voice settings live in different places depending on whether you use Assistant, Maps, Search, or a smart speaker.
  • Android phones let you change the voice through Settings > Accessibility > Text-to-Speech Output, while iPhones use Siri settings instead.
  • Google Assistant on phones and speakers offers multiple voice options, including different genders and accents, all at no cost.
  • Some voices sound more natural than others because Google uses different technology — older voices are simpler, newer ones use machine learning.

Changing the voice on Android phones

On an Android phone, Google's voice lives in your accessibility settings. Open Settings, then scroll down and tap Accessibility. Look for Text-to-Speech Output or Speech — the exact name varies by phone brand and Android version.

Tap that option and you'll see a list of voices. Google usually offers at least three or four choices: a male voice, a female voice, and sometimes variants with different accents or speeds. Tap the voice you want to use. You'll hear a short sample of that voice reading a test sentence. If you like it, that voice becomes your default for Google services that speak to you.

If you use Google Assistant specifically, you can also change its voice by opening the Google Assistant app, tapping your profile picture in the top right, going to Settings, then Assistant Voice. This gives you even more options than the system-wide text-to-speech setting, and some of these voices have names and personalities.

Changing the voice on iPhones

iPhones don't use Google's text-to-speech system the same way Android does — Apple's Siri is the default voice assistant. However, if you use the Google Assistant app on your iPhone, you can still change Google's voice. Open the Google Assistant app, tap your profile picture, go to Settings, then Assistant Voice. Choose the voice you prefer from the list.

For Google Maps on iPhone, the voice that gives you directions is controlled separately. Open Maps, tap your profile picture in the top right, go to Settings, then Navigation Settings. Look for Voice and Sound and choose your preferred voice from the options there.

Changing the voice on Google Home and smart speakers

If you own a Google Home speaker, Google Nest Hub, or another Google smart speaker, you can change the voice it uses to answer your questions. Open the Google Home app on your phone, tap the device you want to change, then tap the settings icon (usually a gear). Scroll down to Assistant Voice and pick a new voice.

Smart speakers often have more voice options than phones do, including voices with different accents and even some celebrity voices on certain devices. The available options depend on your region and the age of your device. Newer speakers get more voice choices than older ones.

Changing the voice on computers

On a Windows computer, Google's voice is controlled through your system settings, not through Google itself. Open Settings, go to Accessibility, then Text-to-Speech. You'll see options for voice, speed, and pitch. Choose the voice you want Google to use when it reads things aloud.

On a Mac, open System Preferences, go to Accessibility, then Spoken Content. You can choose a voice and adjust the speaking rate. If you use the Google Chrome browser, some Google services may also have their own voice settings within the browser itself.

Why some Google voices sound different

Google offers different voices because people have different preferences. Some voices sound more natural and human-like, while others sound more robotic. The difference comes from how the voice was created. Older Google voices were built by recording a real person saying thousands of words and sentences, then stitching those recordings together. Newer voices use machine learning, which means a computer learned to generate speech that sounds natural without needing to record every possible word.

The newest Google voices, like some of the options on Google Assistant, sound smoother and more natural because they were trained on large amounts of speech data. Older voices may sound choppier because they're assembled from pre-recorded pieces. If a voice sounds unnatural to you, try a different one — Google usually has at least two or three options on any device.

What to do if you can't find the voice setting

If you can't locate the voice setting on your device, check whether you're looking in the right place. Voice settings are usually in Accessibility or Sound settings, not in the main Google app. If you use Google Assistant, the voice setting is often in the Assistant app itself, not in your phone's system settings.

Some devices and regions have fewer voice options than others. If you see only one voice available, your device may not support multiple voices yet, or your region may have limited options. Updating your device's software sometimes adds new voices, so check for updates if you want more choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a celebrity voice with Google?

Some Google devices offer celebrity voices, but availability depends on your device and region. Google Home speakers sometimes have special voices available, though these may be limited-time offerings. Check your device's voice settings to see what's currently available in your area.

Will changing Google's voice affect other apps?

It depends on the setting you change. If you change your phone's system-wide text-to-speech voice, other apps that use text-to-speech may also use that voice. If you change the voice only in the Google Assistant app, it affects only Google Assistant. Check which setting you're changing to understand what it will affect.

Can I change the speed of Google's voice?

Yes. In most text-to-speech settings, you'll find a slider for speaking speed or rate. You can make Google speak faster or slower depending on your preference. This setting is usually right next to the voice selection option.

What if Google's voice sounds robotic or unnatural?

Try a different voice from the available options. Newer voices typically sound more natural than older ones. If all available voices sound robotic, your device may only have older voice options. Updating your device's software sometimes adds newer, more natural-sounding voices.

Do I need to pay for different Google voices?

No. All of Google's standard voices are included with your device at no cost. Some special or celebrity voices may have been limited-time offerings, but the core set of voices is always free.