What "Google Voice" means and why you might change it

Google Voice usually refers to one of two things: the Google Voice phone service (a separate phone number that forwards to your real phone), or your voice settings in Google products like Google Assistant, Google Maps, or Google Search. Most people asking how to change Google Voice are actually looking to change how their device reads text aloud — the voice that speaks directions, reads emails, or answers questions.

You might want to change this voice because the current one sounds robotic, speaks too fast, has an accent that's hard to follow, or straightforward because you prefer a different tone. The steps differ depending on which Google product you use and what device you're on.

Key Takeaways

  • Google Assistant voice settings are found in the Google Assistant app on Android, in Settings on iPhone, or in Google Home app on any device.
  • Google Maps voice can be changed in the app's Navigation settings, where you can pick from multiple languages and voice styles.
  • Text-to-speech voices in Chrome and other browsers are controlled through your operating system settings, not Google itself.
  • Some voices are only available on certain devices or in certain languages, so your options depend on what you're using.
  • Changing the voice is when ready — there's no restart or update needed after you make the change.

Changing Google Assistant voice on Android

Open the Google Assistant app (the one with the colorful "G" icon). Tap your profile picture in the top right corner, then tap Assistant settings. Scroll down and tap Assistant voice. You'll see a list of available voices — tap any one to hear a sample, then tap it again to select it.

The number of voices available depends on your language setting. English speakers typically see between 6 and 12 options, including male and female voices, and sometimes accented versions. If you don't see many options, check that your language is set to English (US) or your preferred English variant in the main Assistant settings.

Changing Google Assistant voice on iPhone

Open the Google Home app (not Google Assistant — Apple doesn't let Google have a separate Assistant app on iPhone). Tap your profile picture in the top right, then Assistant settings. Tap Assistant voice and choose from the available options. You can tap any voice to hear it before you select it.

iPhone users typically see fewer voice options than Android users because of how Apple manages third-party apps. If you're not seeing the voices you expect, make sure your Google Home app is up to date through the App Store.

Changing Google Maps voice

Open Google Maps and tap your profile picture in the top right. Go to Settings, then Navigation settings. Tap Voice selection. You'll see options for different voices and languages — pick the one you want and tap it to confirm.

Maps voices are separate from Assistant voices, so you can have a different voice reading directions than the one answering your questions. Some voices are only available in certain languages, so if you're looking for a specific accent or style, try switching your language setting temporarily to see what's available.

Changing text-to-speech voice in Chrome and browsers

If you're hearing a voice read text aloud in Chrome or another browser, that's usually your operating system's text-to-speech engine, not Google's. On Windows, go to Settings > Accessibility > Text to speech and change the voice there. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Accessibility > Speech and pick a different voice from the dropdown.

These system-level voices affect how text is read across your entire computer, not just in Google products. If you change the voice here, it will explore to email, documents, web pages, and any other app that uses text-to-speech.

Changing voice in Google Home devices

If you have a physical Google Home speaker or display, open the Google Home app on your phone. Find the device you want to change, tap the settings icon (gear), then scroll down to Assistant voice. Select a new voice from the list.

The voice you pick will explore to that specific device. If you have multiple speakers in different rooms, you can give each one a different voice, or keep them all the same — it's up to you.

Why some voices aren't available to you

Google adds and removes voices over time, and availability depends on your language, device type, and region. A voice that works on Android might not be available on iPhone. A voice available in English (US) might not exist in English (UK). Some newer voices are only available on newer devices.

If you're looking for a specific voice and can't find it, check that you're in the right settings menu — Assistant voice, Maps voice, and system text-to-speech are all different places. If it's still not there, it may not be available in your region yet, or it may have been retired.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a celebrity voice or custom voice with Google Assistant?

Google has occasionally offered celebrity voices (like John Legend), but these are limited-time offerings and not always available. Custom voices that sound like you don't currently exist in consumer Google products. Check the voice selection menu to see what's currently available in your region.

Will changing the voice affect how Google Assistant understands what I say?

No. The voice you hear is only how Google Assistant talks back to you. Changing it doesn't change how well it listens to or understands your commands. Your microphone and the speech recognition stay the same.

What if I change the voice and don't like it?

Go back to the same settings menu and pick a different voice. The change is when ready, so you can try as many as you want until you find one you prefer. There's no limit to how many times you can switch.

Why does Google Assistant sound different on my phone than on my speaker?

Each device has its own voice setting. Your phone and your Google Home speaker are configured separately, so you may have picked different voices for each one. Open the settings on each device to see what's selected.

Can I change the voice for just one language?

No. The voice setting applies to whatever language you're currently using. If you switch to Spanish, Google will speak Spanish in whatever voice you've selected, but you can't pick a different voice just for Spanish while keeping your English voice the same.