You can switch Apple Maps to a different voice or turn off spoken directions entirely

Apple Maps offers several voice options for turn-by-turn navigation. You can choose between different accents and genders, or disable voice guidance altogether if you prefer to read directions on screen. The setting lives in your device's Maps app and takes effect the next time you start navigation.

The steps differ slightly between iPhone and Mac, but both let you pick from the same set of voices. You can also adjust volume and whether the voice speaks street names and traffic alerts.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Maps, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), then Settings to find voice options on iPhone.
  • Apple Maps offers multiple voice choices with different accents; you can preview each one before confirming.
  • You can turn off voice guidance entirely and rely on visual directions instead.
  • Volume and speech preferences (like whether to announce street names) are separate settings from voice selection.
  • Your voice choice syncs across devices if you use the same Apple ID.

Changing the voice on iPhone

Open the Maps app and look for the menu icon — three horizontal lines stacked on top of each other — in the lower right corner. Tap it, then select Settings. You'll see a section labeled Navigation Voice Volume or Driving depending on your iOS version.

Tap Voice or Voice and Sound. A list of available voices appears, each labeled with a name and accent (for example, "Siri (Female, American)" or "Siri (Male, British)"). Tap any voice to hear a short preview. Once you've found one you like, tap it again to confirm the selection. The change takes effect immediately.

If you want to turn off voice guidance completely, look for an option labeled None or Muted at the top of the voice list. Selecting this disables spoken directions while keeping visual turn-by-turn guidance on your screen.

Changing the voice on Mac

Open Maps and click Maps in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Select Preferences. Click the Driving tab, then look for the Voice dropdown menu.

Click the dropdown to see available voices. Each option shows the voice name and accent. Click any voice to preview it, then click again to select it. Your choice saves automatically and applies the next time you navigate.

What each voice setting controls

The voice you select controls only spoken turn-by-turn directions — the voice that tells you "Turn left in 500 feet" or "Take the exit on your right." It does not change Siri's voice for other tasks like setting reminders or making calls.

Separate from voice selection, you can control whether Maps announces street names, traffic alerts, and arrival notifications. On iPhone, these options appear in the same Settings menu under labels like Speak Street Names or Speak Traffic Alerts. On Mac, they're in the Driving preferences. You can enable or disable each one independently of your voice choice.

Volume is also separate. You can adjust how loud the navigation voice plays without changing which voice speaks. On iPhone, this uses your device's volume buttons or the volume slider in Control Center. On Mac, use the system volume controls.

Why you might not see all voices

Apple Maps voice options depend on your device's language and region settings. If you set your iPhone or Mac to English (United States), you'll see American English voices. If you use English (United Kingdom), you'll see British English voices instead. Switching your device language changes which voices appear in Maps.

Some voices may also require a download the first time you select them. If a voice appears grayed out or shows a download icon, your device needs to fetch the voice file before you can use it. This usually takes a few seconds on a Wi-Fi connection.

Syncing your voice choice across devices

If you use multiple Apple devices with the same Apple ID, your Maps voice preference syncs automatically. Change the voice on your iPhone, and it updates on your iPad and Mac within a few minutes. This sync includes your choice of voice, volume level, and which speech options you've enabled.

If your devices show different voices, check that they're all signed into the same Apple ID and that iCloud sync is turned on. On iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and make sure Maps is toggled on. On Mac, open System Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and confirm Maps is checked.

Troubleshooting voice issues

If you select a voice but don't hear it during navigation, first check your device's volume. Press the volume up button or check Control Center (iPhone) or System Preferences (Mac) to confirm the volume isn't muted or set very low. Maps respects your device's overall volume setting.

If a voice cuts out or sounds garbled during navigation, the voice file may not have downloaded completely. Try selecting a different voice, then switch back to your preferred one. This forces your device to re-download the voice file. If the problem persists, restart your device and try again.

On iPhone, if the voice menu doesn't appear in Settings, make sure you're running the latest version of iOS. Open Settings > General > Software Update to check. On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Software Update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different voice for Maps than for Siri?

Yes. Maps voice and Siri voice are separate settings. Changing the voice in Maps does not affect Siri's voice for other tasks. You can have Maps speak in a British accent while Siri uses an American accent, or vice versa.

Will the voice change if I update my phone?

No. Your voice selection is saved in your Maps settings and persists through iOS updates. If you restore your device from a backup, your voice choice restores with it.

What happens if I turn off "Speak Street Names"?

Maps will still announce major turns and directions, but it won't say the names of streets as you approach them. For example, instead of "Turn left on Oak Street," you'll hear "Turn left." This can reduce the amount of talking during navigation.

Can I download additional voices?

Apple does not offer a separate download store for Maps voices. The voices available in your region's language settings are the only ones available. You cannot add custom voices or voices from third-party sources to Apple Maps.

Does the voice work if I'm using CarPlay?

Yes. When you connect your iPhone to a car with CarPlay, Maps uses the same voice you selected in your phone's settings. The voice plays through your car's speakers. You can adjust volume using your car's controls.