Where to find the reading notification setting

AirPod reading notifications are turned off in the Accessibility settings on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac — not in the AirPods app itself. The setting controls whether Siri reads incoming messages, notifications, and other text aloud through your AirPods when they are connected.

On iPhone and iPad, open Settings, then go to Accessibility > Spoken Content. On Mac, open System Settings, then go to Accessibility > Spoken Content. The toggle you are looking for is called "Speak Notifications" or "Speak Screen," depending on your device and iOS version.

If you cannot find Spoken Content in Accessibility, your device may use an older name for the feature. Look for "VoiceOver" or search "Speak" in Settings to locate the right menu.

Key Takeaways

  • Reading notifications come from Accessibility settings, not the AirPods app, so you must go to Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content on your iPhone or iPad.
  • The toggle you need is called "Speak Notifications," and turning it off stops Siri from reading text aloud through your AirPods.
  • If you want Siri to read some notifications but not others, you can turn off the feature entirely and re-enable it only when you need it.
  • Disabling reading notifications does not affect other AirPod functions like calls, music, or voice commands.

Turning off Speak Notifications on iPhone and iPad

Open the Settings app and tap Accessibility. Scroll down and select Spoken Content. You will see a toggle next to "Speak Notifications" — tap it to turn the feature off. Once disabled, Siri will no longer read your notifications aloud when your AirPods are connected.

If you see a toggle for "Speak Screen" instead, that controls whether text on your screen is read aloud when you swipe down with two fingers. That is a separate feature from notification reading, though both use the same voice settings. You can turn off one without affecting the other.

After you disable the setting, test it by having someone send you a text message or triggering a notification. Your AirPods should remain silent instead of reading the message aloud.

Turning off Speak Notifications on Mac

On a Mac, open System Settings and go to Accessibility > Spoken Content. Look for the toggle next to "Speak Notifications" and turn it off. The process is the same as on iPhone, but the menu path is slightly different because Mac uses System Settings instead of the Settings app.

If you use your AirPods with both a Mac and an iPhone, you will need to turn off the setting on each device separately. The Accessibility settings do not sync between devices, so disabling it on your phone will not disable it on your computer.

What happens when you turn off reading notifications

Turning off Speak Notifications stops Siri from reading text aloud, but it does not silence your AirPods entirely. You will still hear notification sounds, incoming call alerts, and any audio from apps or music. Only the voice reading of the notification content goes away.

If you have other Spoken Content features enabled — like Speak Screen or VoiceOver — those will continue to work. Disabling reading notifications affects only the automatic reading of incoming messages and alerts, not manual text-to-speech features you trigger yourself.

If you want to read some notifications but not others

iOS and iPadOS do not offer a way to choose which apps trigger reading notifications and which do not. The Speak Notifications toggle is all-or-nothing — either all notifications are read aloud or none are.

If you want selective control, your best option is to turn off Speak Notifications entirely and re-enable it only when you need it. You can also mute individual apps in Settings > Notifications by turning off their notification badges and sounds, which will prevent them from triggering any notification reading.

Troubleshooting: notifications still being read aloud

If notifications are still being read aloud after you turn off Speak Notifications, check whether VoiceOver is enabled instead. VoiceOver is a screen reader that reads everything on your screen aloud, including notifications. Go to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver and make sure the toggle is off.

Also confirm that your AirPods are actually connected. If they are not paired or in range, your iPhone will play notification sounds through the speaker instead, which might sound like Siri is reading to you. Check the Bluetooth menu in Settings to verify your AirPods show as Connected.

If you recently updated your device, restart your iPhone or iPad and reconnect your AirPods. Sometimes the Accessibility settings do not apply until you restart after an update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will turning off reading notifications affect Siri voice commands?

No. Disabling Speak Notifications only stops Siri from reading incoming messages and alerts aloud. You can still use Siri to ask questions, set reminders, or control music. Voice commands work independently of the notification reading setting.

Can I turn off reading notifications for just one app?

Not directly. The Speak Notifications toggle applies to all apps at once. If you want to stop notifications from a specific app, you can mute that app entirely in Settings > Notifications, which will prevent it from sending any notifications to your AirPods.

Do I need to disconnect my AirPods to stop the reading?

No. You can keep your AirPods connected and simply turn off Speak Notifications in Settings. The feature will stop working immediately without disconnecting your AirPods or affecting any other functions.

What is the difference between Speak Notifications and Speak Screen?

Speak Notifications reads incoming alerts and messages aloud automatically. Speak Screen reads text on your screen only when you manually swipe down with two fingers. They are separate features, and you can turn off one without affecting the other.

Will this setting work on older AirPods models?

Yes. The Speak Notifications feature works with all AirPods models as long as your iPhone, iPad, or Mac is running a recent version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS. The feature is controlled by your device, not by the AirPods themselves.