Where to find the voice settings for Maps and navigation
The voice that reads directions to you lives in the Settings app, not in Maps itself. Open Settings, scroll down to Maps, tap it, then look for "Directions" or "Navigation Voice". The exact name changes slightly between iOS versions, but it is always in the Maps settings section, never buried in Siri settings or Accessibility.
If you use Apple Maps (the default), you will see options for voice language and accent. If you use Google Maps or Waze, those apps have their own voice menus inside the app itself — you do not change them through Settings. Check the app's own settings first before assuming the phone controls everything.
Key Takeaways
- Apple Maps voices are changed in Settings > Maps > Directions, where you pick language and accent but not individual voice names.
- Google Maps and Waze have their own voice controls inside each app, separate from iPhone Settings.
- The voice you hear depends on which navigation app you have set as default and which language your phone is set to.
- Some accents and languages have only one voice option, while others offer male and female choices.
- Changing the voice does not affect Siri's voice — those are controlled separately in Accessibility settings.
Changing the voice in Apple Maps step by step
Open the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down past the middle of the list until you see "Maps" — it has a map pin icon. Tap Maps. You will see several options: "Directions", "Driving", "Transit", and others. Tap "Directions".
Under Directions, you will see "Navigation Voice" or "Voice Language". Tap it. A list appears showing languages like English, Spanish, French, and others. Select the language you want. Once you pick a language, a second menu often appears asking you to choose an accent — for English, this might be US, UK, or Australian. Select your accent, and the change takes effect when ready.
If you want to test the voice before committing, start a navigation in Maps and listen to the first instruction. You can change it back the same way if you do not like it.
Changing the voice in Google Maps
Google Maps controls its own voice separately from iPhone Settings. Open Google Maps, tap your profile icon in the top right corner, then tap "Settings". Scroll down to "Navigation settings" and tap it. Look for "Voice and sound" or "Voice selection".
Tap the voice option. You will see a list of available voices — these vary by language and region, but typically include male and female options. Select one and tap it. Google Maps will play a short sample so you can hear what it sounds like before you confirm.
Changing the voice in Waze
Waze also keeps its voice settings inside the app. Open Waze and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom left. Tap "Settings", then "Sound & Voice". You will see "Voice language" and sometimes "Voice" as separate options. Tap "Voice language" first and pick your language, then tap "Voice" to choose the specific voice for that language.
Waze offers more voice variety than Apple Maps — some regions have celebrity voices or character voices in addition to standard navigation voices. The available options depend on your language and region.
Why the voice might not change
If you changed the setting but still hear the old voice, check which navigation app is actually running. If you opened Apple Maps but your phone is set to use Google Maps as the default, Google Maps will handle the directions even if you are looking at Apple Maps on screen. Go to Settings > Maps > "Preferred Apps" and confirm which app is set as default for directions.
Another common reason: your phone language is set to something different from the voice language you picked. If your phone is set to Japanese but you picked English navigation, the system may default back to Japanese. Check Settings > General > Language & Region and make sure your phone language matches the navigation voice language you want.
The difference between navigation voice and Siri voice
Siri (the voice assistant) has its own voice setting separate from navigation. If you change your navigation voice but Siri still sounds the same, that is normal — they are controlled independently. To change Siri's voice, go to Settings > Siri & Search > Siri Voice. That menu lets you pick a different voice for Siri alone, without affecting Maps or other navigation apps.
Some people prefer a certain voice for navigation but a different one for Siri, so having separate controls is actually useful. Just remember they are not linked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a celebrity voice for navigation on iPhone?
Apple Maps does not offer celebrity voices. Waze does in some regions — check Waze's voice settings to see what is available in your country. Google Maps offers a limited set of voices but not celebrity options in most places. If celebrity voices matter to you, Waze is your best option.
Why does my navigation voice keep switching back to the default?
This usually happens when your phone language changes or when you update iOS. After an update, go back to Settings > Maps > Directions and re-select your preferred voice. If it keeps reverting, check that your phone's main language (Settings > General > Language & Region) matches the voice language you picked.
Does changing the navigation voice affect voice commands in the car?
No. Navigation voice and voice command are separate. Changing your Maps voice does not change how Siri responds to voice commands or how CarPlay reads messages. Those are controlled through Siri settings in Accessibility.
Can I have different voices for different navigation apps?
Yes. Apple Maps, Google Maps, and Waze each have their own voice settings. You can set Apple Maps to one voice, Google Maps to another, and Waze to a third. Whichever app you use for navigation will use its own voice setting.
What if my language is not in the voice list?
Not all languages have navigation voices. Check your app's settings to see what is available in your region. If your language is not listed, you can pick a different language you understand, or use a different navigation app that may support your language. Waze tends to have more language options than Apple Maps.