Where to find the voice settings in Apple Maps

Open Apple Maps and tap the information icon — a small circle with an "i" — in the bottom right corner of the screen. Scroll down to find "Directions" and tap it. Under the Directions section, you will see "Spoken Directions" with a toggle switch. Turn this on if it is off, then tap "Voice Volume and Language" directly below it. This takes you to the voice selection screen where you can choose a different voice.

If you do not see the information icon, you may be in the middle of navigation. Tap "End" to stop the current route, then return to the Maps home screen and try again. The settings menu is only visible when you are not actively navigating.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple Maps offers multiple voice options in different languages and accents, all available through the Directions settings menu.
  • You can change the voice before you start navigation or switch it mid-route without stopping your trip.
  • The voice you select stays as your default until you change it again — you do not have to reset it each time you navigate.
  • If you do not hear turn-by-turn directions at all, check that Spoken Directions is toggled on in the same menu.

What voices are available on iPhone Maps

Apple Maps includes multiple voice options for English speakers, including different accents and genders. The exact voices available depend on your iPhone model and iOS version, but typically include options like American, British, and Australian English. Each language also has its own set of voices — if you have other languages installed on your phone, you can navigate in those languages with their corresponding voices.

The voices are generated by Apple's text-to-speech system and sound natural enough for turn-by-turn navigation. You can preview each voice before selecting it by tapping the play button next to the voice name. This lets you hear a sample sentence read in that voice so you can decide which one you prefer.

Changing the voice during navigation

You can switch voices while you are actively navigating without stopping your route. Tap the speaker icon at the bottom of the navigation screen, then select "Voice Volume and Language." Choose a new voice from the list. The next turn-by-turn instruction will use the new voice you selected.

This is useful if you find a particular voice distracting or if you want to practice listening to a different accent. The change takes effect when ready and does not interrupt your navigation or reset your route.

Adjusting voice volume and muting directions

The same menu where you change voices also controls how loud the directions are. Tap the speaker icon during navigation and look for "Voice Volume." You can adjust the volume on a slider from silent to loud. If you want to mute directions temporarily without changing the voice, you can also toggle "Spoken Directions" off and back on as needed.

Keep in mind that muting spoken directions means you will only see turn-by-turn instructions on the screen. If you are driving, you will need to glance at your phone to know when to turn, which is less safe than listening to audio directions.

Why your voice setting might not be working

If you select a voice but do not hear it during navigation, first check that "Spoken Directions" is toggled on in the Directions settings. Next, make sure your iPhone volume is not muted — check the physical mute switch on the side of your phone. If the mute switch is in the off position (showing red), your phone will not play audio even if the app volume is turned up.

If spoken directions are on and your phone is not muted but you still hear nothing, try restarting Apple Maps. Close the app completely by swiping up from the bottom of the screen (or using the app switcher), wait a few seconds, then open Maps again and start a new route. If the problem persists, restart your iPhone itself.

Changing the language of directions

The voice language in Apple Maps follows your iPhone's system language setting. If you want directions in a different language, go to Settings, tap "General," then "Language & Region," and select a new language. Your Maps directions will then appear and be spoken in that language.

You do not need to change your entire phone language just to navigate in a different language — you can also change the language for Maps alone by going back to Maps settings and selecting a different voice from a language you have installed. However, this only works if you have that language pack downloaded on your phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Siri's voice for Apple Maps directions?

No. Apple Maps uses its own set of voices that are separate from Siri. The voices in Maps are optimized for navigation and sound different from Siri's voice. You can only choose from the voices listed in the Voice Volume and Language menu.

Will my voice choice work on CarPlay?

Yes. The voice you select in Apple Maps on your iPhone will carry over to CarPlay when you connect your phone to a compatible car system. You can also change the voice through CarPlay's settings if you prefer, and that change will sync back to your phone.

What if I want no voice at all, just the map?

Toggle off "Spoken Directions" in the Directions settings. You will still see turn-by-turn instructions on the screen, but you will not hear them spoken aloud. You can turn spoken directions back on anytime by toggling the switch back on.

Do I need to read anything to use different voices?

No. All available voices for your iPhone's current language are already built in. You do not need to read voice packs or additional files — just select the voice you want from the menu and it will work when ready.