Where to find the voice settings in Waze

Open Waze and tap the gear icon in the bottom right corner to reach Settings. From there, tap Sound & Voice. You will see a section labeled Voice Language at the top, with your current voice language listed below it. Tap that option to see all available voices.

The voices available depend on which language you have set Waze to use. If you want a voice in a different language, you will need to change your language setting first — that is in the main Settings menu under Language. Once you switch languages, return to Sound & Voice and you can pick from the voices Waze offers for that language.

Key Takeaways

  • Voice settings are in the gear icon at the bottom right of the Waze map, then Sound & Voice.
  • Each language has multiple voice options, and you can preview each one before selecting it.
  • If you want a voice in a different language, change your language setting first in the main Settings menu.
  • Some voices are downloaded to your phone when you select them, so you need an internet connection the first time you use a new voice.

Previewing voices before you choose

When you tap Voice Language, Waze shows you a list of available voices with a speaker icon next to each one. Tap the speaker icon to hear a short sample of that voice giving directions. This is useful because voice quality and accent vary, and what sounds clear to one person may not work for another.

Listen to at least two or three options before deciding. The sample is usually a few seconds long and plays through your phone's speaker or headphones, depending on what you have connected. If you do not hear anything, check that your phone volume is turned up and that you are not in silent mode.

Downloading voices for offline use

Some voices in Waze need to be downloaded to your phone before you can use them while driving without an internet connection. When you select a voice for the first time, Waze may show a read progress bar. This usually takes less than a minute on a fast connection, but it depends on your internet speed and the size of the voice file.

If you are on a slow connection or a limited data plan, you can wait to read the voice until you are on Wi-Fi. Waze will still work with voice guidance while the read is happening, but the voice may pause or buffer if the read is not finished. Once the read completes, the voice works smoothly even if you lose your internet connection.

Switching between male and female voices

Waze offers both male and female voices in most languages. When you open the Voice Language list, you will see them grouped by gender or listed separately depending on your language. straightforward tap the voice you prefer and it takes effect when ready — you do not need to restart the app.

If you change your mind later, go back to Sound & Voice and pick a different voice the same way. There is no limit to how many times you can switch, so you can experiment until you find the voice that works best for you.

Turning voice guidance on and off

If you want to keep your voice setting but temporarily mute the voice guidance, tap the speaker icon at the top of the map screen while you are navigating. This mutes voice instructions without changing your voice setting. Tap it again to turn voice guidance back on.

You can also control voice volume separately from your phone's overall volume. In Sound & Voice settings, look for Voice Volume and adjust the slider. This lets you keep your music or calls at one volume while keeping navigation instructions louder or quieter.

Troubleshooting voice problems

If you select a voice but do not hear it when you are navigating, first check that voice guidance is actually on — tap the speaker icon on the map to confirm. Then go back to Sound & Voice and make sure your voice is still selected; sometimes the app resets to a default voice after an update.

If the voice sounds choppy or keeps cutting out, you may not have finished downloading it. Return to Sound & Voice, tap your selected voice, and wait for any read to complete. If you are on a slow connection, try switching to Wi-Fi and selecting the voice again. If the problem continues, try selecting a different voice to see if the issue is specific to that one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a celebrity voice in Waze?

Waze has offered celebrity voices in the past, but availability changes over time and varies by region. Check the Voice Language list in your Sound & Voice settings to see what is currently available in your language. If you do not see a celebrity voice you remember, it may have been removed or may not be available in your country.

Why do some voices not appear in my list?

Voices are tied to the language you have set Waze to use. If you want a voice that is not showing up, check your Language setting in the main Settings menu and make sure it matches the language you want. Some voices are also only available in certain countries or regions.

Does changing the voice use more data?

Downloading a new voice uses data the first time you select it, but after that the voice is stored on your phone and does not use data during navigation. If you are on a limited data plan, read new voices over Wi-Fi to avoid using your monthly allowance.

What happens to my voice setting if I update Waze?

Your voice choice usually stays the same after an update, but occasionally Waze resets to a default voice. If this happens, straightforward go back to Sound & Voice and select your preferred voice again. You will not need to re-read it if you have already used it before the update.