Apple Voice Control
Open apps, click controls and dictate text by voice on Mac, iPhone and iPad.
Last reviewed: 28 October 2026 · Applies to: macOS, iOS & iPadOS (built-in Accessibility settings)
These instructions were checked against official Apple documentation on the review date. Menus, supported languages and offline availability vary by device model and operating system version.
Voice control that is already on the device
Voice Control is built into macOS, iOS and iPadOS. There is nothing extra to buy or install, which makes it the quickest way to test whether voice operation suits you on an Apple device.
It does two jobs: dictating text into text fields, and operating the interface by voice using spoken labels, numbered overlays or a screen grid. Once the required speech files are downloaded for your chosen language, many commands work on-device, depending on your hardware and OS version.
Getting Started
- Turn on Voice Control: On Mac, open System Settings → Accessibility → Voice Control (or System Preferences on older macOS versions). On iPhone or iPad, open Settings → Accessibility → Voice Control.
- Say "Show numbers": Displays numbered badges on clickable buttons, links and menu items in the active window.
- Say "Click [number]" or "Tap [number]": Activates the numbered item without touching the mouse, trackpad or screen.
- Say "Show grid": Places a numbered grid over the screen (or say "Show window grid" on Mac) so you can click or drag anywhere that does not have an accessible label.
- Switch between modes when needed: Say "Command mode" when you want spoken phrases interpreted only as commands, or "Dictation mode" when writing in a text field.
How it fits with other assistive technology
- It relies on seeing the screen for overlays. Show numbers and Show grid place visual labels on screen. That makes Voice Control a natural partner for Zoom magnification or low-vision setups, whereas blind users rely on VoiceOver for non-visual navigation.
- Running it with VoiceOver takes care. Voice Control accepts spoken commands; VoiceOver provides spoken feedback. Headphones can help prevent that feedback reaching the microphone, and most people who use both switch between them for specific tasks.
- Custom commands remove repetition. In Voice Control settings, you can create custom spoken phrases that paste text, press keyboard shortcuts or run a Shortcut workflow.
- Dictation mode and Command mode are separate. If a command is typed into your document as words, pause briefly before and after speaking the command, or say "Command mode" first.
Common problems, and what to do
- The number overlay clutters the screen. Set overlays to None in Voice Control settings and say "Show numbers" only when a control has no clear spoken name, then "Hide numbers" afterwards.
- It mishears a name or specialist term. Add the word to Vocabulary inside Voice Control settings.
- It stops responding. Say "Wake up" or check the on-screen microphone icon to see whether Voice Control is asleep or listening to a different audio input.
- Background noise triggers false words. Select a directional USB headset microphone in Voice Control settings rather than the built-in laptop or phone microphone.
Short practice exercise
- Turn on Voice Control in Accessibility settings and confirm the microphone icon is active.
- Say "Open Notes" and wait for the Notes app to come to the front.
- Say "Show numbers", find the number on the New Note button, and say "Click [number]" (or "Tap [number]" on iPhone/iPad).
- Dictate a short sentence, say "Select previous word" to highlight the last word, and say "Go to sleep" when finished.
Official Apple support links
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