Apple is at the forefront of promoting digital inclusion through its innovative Accessibility features, which enhance usability for all users. A notable feature is Live Speech, designed to assist those with speech impairments by allowing them to type messages that are audibly spoken during phone conversations. This tool proves particularly valuable in noisy environments. Below, we detail how to activate and utilize Live Speech on your iPhone or iPad.
Eligibility for Live Speech
Live Speech can be accessed on the following devices:
- iPhone XS or newer
- iPad Air (5th generation)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation) and later
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation) and later
- Mac computers featuring Apple silicon
- Apple Watch Series 3 and onward
The functionality requires the respective devices to be operating on the following software versions:
- iOS version 17 or higher
- iPadOS version 17 or higher
- macOS Sonoma (14.0) or subsequent updates
- watchOS version 10 and above
Steps to Enable Live Speech
Prior to utilizing Live Speech in calls, you must first enable the feature on your device:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Scroll down to Accessibility and select it.
Next, find the Speech section and select Live Speech.
Toggle the Live Speech option to the ON position.
To streamline the activation of Live Speech during calls, consider enabling Guided Access:
- Return to the Accessibility menu.
- Select the General section and tap Guided Access.
Toggle Guided Access to enable it. This feature will activate additional options, including the Accessibility Shortcut, which should also be turned on.
Using Live Speech in Phone Calls
To engage Live Speech during a call, whether it’s a regular phone call or a FaceTime conversation:
- Tap the side or home button three times.
A menu will appear from the bottom of the screen where you can select Live Speech.
The Live Speech box will now be available for your input. Type your desired message, and when ready, press the Speak button to have your text audibly delivered during the call.
If you need to repeat the message, simply click the Redo button after the initial playback.
You can stop the speaking at any time by selecting the Stop button.
To clear the current text, press the trash icon. You can then enter a new message.
Customizing Voice and Language Settings for Live Speech
If you want to modify the language utilized by Live Speech, follow these steps:
- Open Settings > Accessibility > Live Speech.
Within the Voices section, you can select a voice in your desired language.
To change the voice used during calls, tap on your current default voice (for instance, Siri Voice 4).
Explore different voice options and click on the Play icon to sample each voice. When you find one you prefer, tap Download to save it.
Additionally, you can adjust certain voice characteristics such as speed, pitch, timbre, and sentence pauses (available for select voice options).
Utilizing Your Own Voice in Live Speech
If the available voice options seem too synthetic for your taste, you can generate a personal voice for Live Speech:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility and find Personal Voice within the Speech section.
Select Create a Personal Voice at the top of the screen.
Click Continue on the following screens to start creating your personalized voice.
Select your preferred language.
Assign a name to your voice and tap Continue.
The device will then assess your surroundings to confirm low background noise. If conditions are suitable, you’ll proceed to the next phase.
To create a Personal Voice, you’ll be required to articulate 150 phrases, which should take around 15 minutes. Apple recommends expressing these phrases naturally as if conversing.
Once complete, ensure your device remains plugged in to finalize the creation process. Your custom voice will then appear under Live Speech > Voices.
Incorporating Phrases into Live Speech
For frequent phrases or names, consider adding them to your Live Speech library for quicker access:
- Navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Live Speech and select Phrases.
To initiate a new phrase category, press the + button located in the upper right corner.
Name the category and select an icon for it.
From the Phrases screen, select the new category (default category is Saved).
Then, press the + button in the top right corner to add a new phrase.
Type the phrase into the top field and hit Save.
New phrases can also be added while you are on a call. Just tap the small arrow next to Keyboard in the Live Speech UI.
This will display all your available categories. Choose the one that houses the phrase you want to use, tap it, and have your iPhone verbalize your message.
To introduce a new phrase in an existing category, tap the +Phrase button below the current items.
Alternatively, you can create a new category by pressing the +Category button (you might need to swipe to the right to locate it) for more phrases.
For additional assistance, explore how to use the emergency SOS feature on your iPhone.
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