What "changing your voice" means and where you can do it

Changing your voice usually means one of three things: adjusting how your device reads text aloud to you, changing the voice that answers calls or gives directions, or using software to alter how you sound when you record or speak into a microphone. The steps are different for each, and they live in different places on your device.

On phones and computers, text-to-speech voices are built into the operating system — you change them in Settings, not in individual apps. Voice assistants like Siri or Google Assistant have their own voice menus. If you want to change how you sound when recording audio or video, you will need a separate app or software tool. This guide covers the most common scenarios: adjusting your device's default voice, picking a different voice for your assistant, and using voice-changing tools for recordings.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone, go to Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content to change the voice that reads text aloud to you.
  • On Android, open Settings > Accessibility > Text-to-Speech Output and choose a different voice from the dropdown menu.
  • On Windows, Settings > Accessibility > Text-to-Speech lets you pick from multiple built-in voices and adjust speed and pitch.
  • Voice assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa each have their own voice settings, usually found in the assistant's own app or settings menu.
  • To change how your voice sounds in recordings or calls, you need a separate app — your device's built-in settings do not alter your actual voice.

Changing text-to-speech voice on iPhone

On iPhone, the voice that reads text aloud appears in many places: when you use Spoken Content, when Siri speaks, and in some apps that support accessibility features. To change it, open Settings, then tap Accessibility. Scroll down and tap Spoken Content.

You will see a section called Voices. Tap the language or region listed there — for example, "English (United States)" — and a menu of available voices will appear. Each voice has a name and a sample you can play. Tap any voice to hear it, then tap it again to select it. You can also adjust the speaking rate by moving the slider under Speaking Rate. Once you have chosen, go back and your new voice will be active.

If you want Siri specifically to use a different voice, go back to Settings > Siri & Search and look for Siri Voice. The options here may differ from Spoken Content voices, and you can pick a different accent or gender for Siri alone.

Changing text-to-speech voice on Android

Android devices store text-to-speech settings in the main Settings app. Open Settings, then go to Accessibility. Scroll down to find Text-to-Speech Output and tap it.

You will see a dropdown menu labeled Preferred Engine — this is usually set to Google Text-to-Speech by default. Below that is Language, and below that is Speech Rate. To change the voice itself, tap the gear icon next to the engine name (usually to the right of "Google Text-to-Speech"). This opens the engine's settings, where you can choose from available voices and adjust pitch and speed.

If you have installed other text-to-speech engines from the Play Store, you can switch between them using the Preferred Engine dropdown. Each engine may have different voices available. Once you pick a new voice, it will be used by any app that reads text aloud, including Google Maps directions and accessibility features.

Changing text-to-speech voice on Windows

Windows 10 and 11 have built-in text-to-speech voices that you can change in Settings. Open Settings, then go to Accessibility on the left sidebar. Click Text-to-Speech.

Under Choose a voice, you will see a dropdown menu showing your current voice. Click it to see all available voices. Each one has a name and a sample button — click the sample button to hear what that voice sounds like. Once you find one you like, click it to select it. You can also adjust Speaking rate and Pitch using the sliders below.

These settings apply to any Windows app that uses text-to-speech, including Narrator (the built-in screen reader) and Edge browser read-aloud features. If you want Cortana (Windows voice assistant) to use a different voice, open Cortana's settings separately — it may have its own voice menu.

Changing your voice assistant's voice

Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa each have their own voice settings separate from your device's general text-to-speech voice. On iPhone, open Settings > Siri & Search > Siri Voice and pick from the available options — you can usually choose different accents and genders. On Android, open the Google Assistant app, tap your profile picture in the top right, go to Settings > Assistant Voice and Sound, and choose a new voice from the list.

For Alexa, open the Alexa app on your phone, tap the menu icon, go to Settings > Device Settings, select your device, and look for Alexa Voice. You can pick from several voices, and some devices support celebrity voices or accents. Changes take effect immediately.

Using apps to change how your voice sounds in recordings

If you want to alter how your voice actually sounds when you record audio or video — making it deeper, higher, robotic, or disguised — you need a separate app. Your device's built-in settings do not change your actual voice, only how text is read aloud to you.

On iPhone, apps like Voice Changer+ and Voicemod let you record audio and apply effects before saving. On Android, Voice Changer and Prank Caller offer similar tools. On Windows, Voicemod is a popular choice that works with video calls, streaming, and recordings. Most of these apps are free but may show ads or offer paid versions with more effects.

To use them, open the app, record your voice or select an audio file, choose an effect (robot, helium, deep voice, echo, etc.), and save or share the result. Some apps integrate with video call software like Zoom or Discord, so your altered voice plays live during calls. Check the app's description to see which effects it offers and whether it works with the platforms you use.

Changing voice settings for specific apps

Some apps have their own voice settings that override your device defaults. For example, a navigation app might let you choose between male and female voices, or a language-learning app might offer different accents. These settings are usually found in the app's own Settings or Preferences menu, not in your device's main Settings.

Open the app, look for a Settings or Preferences option (often a gear icon), and search for Voice, Audio, or Narrator. If the app supports multiple voices, you will see a dropdown or list to choose from. Changes made here affect only that app and do not change your device's default voice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a celebrity voice on my device?

Some devices and apps offer celebrity voices, but availability varies. Alexa has released celebrity voices like Melissa McCarthy and Shaquille O'Neal on certain devices. Google Assistant and Siri do not currently offer celebrity voices, but third-party voice-changing apps may include novelty options. Check your device's voice settings or the app store to see what is available in your region.

Why does my device not have the voice I want?

Voice options depend on your device, operating system version, and language setting. Older devices may have fewer voices available. You can sometimes download additional voices through Settings — on Android, tap the gear icon next to your text-to-speech engine to see if more voices can be installed. On Windows, you can download additional voices from the Microsoft Store under Settings > Accessibility > Text-to-Speech.

Will changing my voice affect phone calls or video meetings?

No. Changing your device's voice settings only affects how your device reads text aloud to you. Your actual voice in calls, video meetings, and recordings stays the same. To change how you sound in calls or meetings, you need a separate voice-changing app, and you should check whether the platform allows it before using one.

Can I make my device speak in a different language?

Yes. On iPhone, go to Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content > Voices and tap your current language to see other languages available. On Android, open Settings > Accessibility > Text-to-Speech Output > Language and pick a different language. Your device will speak in that language using a native voice for that language.