Where to find the voice settings in Apple Maps
Apple Maps lets you switch between different voices for turn-by-turn directions, and the setting lives in your phone or computer's Maps app itself, not in the system settings. On iPhone or iPad, open Maps, tap the blue dot showing your location (bottom right), then tap your profile picture or initials. Scroll down and tap Navigation Voice Volume. On Mac, open Maps, go to the menu bar, click Maps, then Preferences, and look for Navigation.
The voice options available depend on which language your phone is set to. If you want a different accent or gender, you may need to change your device language first — Apple Maps pulls voices from your system language settings rather than offering a separate language picker within the app.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone and iPad, the voice setting is in your profile menu within the Maps app, not in system settings.
- On Mac, voice settings are in Maps Preferences under the Navigation section.
- The voices available depend on what language your device is set to, so changing languages may give you more options.
- You can also control whether the voice speaks at all by adjusting the Navigation Voice Volume setting.
Changing the voice on iPhone and iPad
Tap the blue dot in the bottom right corner of the Maps app — this shows your current location. A card will slide up from the bottom. Tap your profile picture or initials in the top right of that card. You will see a menu with several options. Scroll down until you find Navigation Voice Volume. Tap it.
A new screen appears with a slider and a list of available voices. The slider controls volume; drag it left to lower the volume or right to raise it. Below the slider, you will see voice options listed by name — these are the actual voices Apple Maps will use to give you directions. Tap any voice to hear a short sample. Once you find one you want, just tap it and return to Maps. Your choice saves automatically.
Changing the voice on Mac
Open the Maps app on your Mac. In the menu bar at the top of your screen, click Maps (next to the Apple logo). A dropdown menu appears. Click Preferences. A window opens with several tabs across the top. Click the Navigation tab.
Under Navigation, you will see a section labeled Voice or Navigation Voice. Click the dropdown menu next to it to see all available voices. Select the one you want. You can usually hear a sample by clicking a play button next to each voice name. Close the Preferences window when you are done — your choice saves right away.
What to do if you only see one voice option
If Maps shows only one voice or very few choices, your device language is limiting what is available. Each language has its own set of voices. To see more options, you need to change your device language. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > Language & Region, and pick a different language. On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Language & Region.
After you change the language, return to Maps and check the voice settings again. You should see new voices that match that language. Keep in mind that changing your device language affects your entire phone or computer — menus, apps, and system messages will all switch to that language. If you only want different voices, you may want to switch back after you pick one.
Why the voice cuts out or sounds muted
If you have selected a voice but hear nothing during navigation, check the Navigation Voice Volume slider first. On iPhone and iPad, go back to your profile menu and tap Navigation Voice Volume. Make sure the slider is not all the way to the left. On Mac, open Preferences and check the Navigation tab — the volume control should be visible there too.
Also check your device's overall volume. On iPhone, use the physical volume buttons on the side of the phone, or go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and make sure the volume is not muted. On Mac, click the volume icon in the menu bar (top right) and raise the volume slider. If you have Do Not Disturb turned on, it may also silence navigation voice — turn it off in Control Center on iPhone or in System Settings on Mac.
Switching between voice and silent navigation
You do not have to hear the voice at all if you prefer silent navigation. On iPhone and iPad, go to your profile menu in Maps, tap Navigation Voice Volume, and drag the slider all the way to the left. The voice will stop speaking, but you will still see turn-by-turn directions on your screen. On Mac, open Preferences, go to Navigation, and set the voice volume to zero or select None if that option appears.
Some people use silent mode for familiar routes or when they want to focus on the road without audio. You can switch back to voice directions anytime by raising the volume slider or selecting a voice again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Siri's voice for Apple Maps directions?
No. Apple Maps uses its own set of voices separate from Siri. The voices you see in the Navigation Voice Volume menu are the only ones available for turn-by-turn directions. Siri speaks when you ask her a question, but she does not narrate your route.
Why do I hear a different voice than the one I selected?
This usually means your device language changed, or you switched to a different device. Each language has its own voices, so if your phone switched languages, Maps may have reset to a default voice for that language. Check your device language in Settings and make sure it matches what you expect.
Do I need to read voices, or are they built in?
Voices come built into your device — you do not need to read anything. They are part of the operating system and are available as soon as you open Maps. If a voice is not showing up, it may not be available for your device language.
Will changing the Maps voice affect other apps?
No. The voice you pick in Maps applies only to Apple Maps directions. Other apps like Google Maps or Waze have their own voice settings and will not be affected by changes you make in Apple Maps.