Change the voice that reads directions in Apple Maps

Open the Maps app on your iPhone, then tap your profile icon in the top right corner. Select Settings, then tap Navigation. Under "Voice Volume," you will see a dropdown menu labeled Voice. Tap it to see all available voices for your region — typically five to eight options, including male and female voices in different accents. Select the one you want, and Maps will use that voice the next time you start navigation.

The voices available depend on your iPhone's language setting and which voices Apple has installed on your device. If you see fewer voices than expected, go to Settings > General > Language & Region and confirm your language is set correctly. Some regional accents are only available in specific language configurations.

Key Takeaways

  • The voice setting lives in Maps Settings under Navigation, not in your iPhone's main Settings app.
  • You can choose from multiple voices in your region, and the change takes effect when ready on your next route.
  • If voices are missing, check that your iPhone language matches the accent you want to hear.
  • You can also adjust voice volume separately from voice selection in the same Navigation menu.
  • Siri voice and Maps voice are separate settings — changing one does not change the other.

Adjust volume and mute navigation voice

In the same Navigation settings menu where you choose the voice, you will see Voice Volume with three options: Loud, Normal, and Quiet. Tap the one you prefer. "Loud" is useful in heavy traffic or when your car is noisy; "Quiet" works if you are in a quiet space or prefer to glance at the screen instead of listening.

If you want to mute the voice entirely but keep visual directions, toggle off Spoken Directions in the same menu. The map will still show your route and upcoming turns, but Maps will not speak them aloud. You can turn spoken directions back on at any time.

Understand the difference between Maps voice and Siri voice

Maps voice and Siri voice are controlled separately. Changing your Siri voice in Settings > Siri & Search does not change the voice Maps uses for navigation. Similarly, changing your Maps voice does not affect Siri. This means you can have Siri speak in one accent and Maps in another if you prefer.

If you want both to match, you will need to change them in two places. Go to Settings > Siri & Search > Siri Voice to adjust Siri, and return to Maps Settings > Navigation > Voice to adjust Maps.

read additional voices if some are missing

Some voices require a read before they appear in your Maps voice list. If you see a voice name with a cloud icon next to it, tap it to read. This requires an internet connection and takes a minute or two. Once downloaded, that voice will be available in Maps and other apps that use voice.

If you do not see the voice you want at all, it may not be available in your region or language setting. Check Settings > General > Language & Region to confirm your region is set correctly. Changing your region may unlock additional voices, though it will also change how dates, times, and measurements display on your phone.

Test your new voice before relying on it

After you select a new voice, start a test route to hear how it sounds while driving. Choose a familiar short route so you can focus on the voice quality rather than the directions. Pay attention to whether you can hear it clearly at your preferred volume level and whether the accent is straightforward for you to understand.

If the voice does not work for you, return to the same menu and switch to another one. There is no limit to how many times you can change it, so you can experiment until you find the one that suits you best.

Troubleshoot when voices are not working

If Maps is not speaking directions even though you have selected a voice and turned on spoken directions, first check that your iPhone volume is not muted. Look for the mute switch on the left side of your phone — if it is in the down position (showing orange), your phone is silenced. Flip it up to unmute.

Next, confirm that Spoken Directions is toggled on in Maps Settings > Navigation. If it is off, turn it on. If voices still do not play, restart Maps by closing it completely and reopening it. If the problem persists, restart your iPhone. A restart often fixes voice playback issues that settings changes do not resolve.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Maps voice and Siri voice are independent settings. Change Maps voice in Maps Settings > Navigation > Voice, and change Siri voice in Settings > Siri & Search > Siri Voice. You can set them to different voices without affecting each other.

Why are some voices showing a cloud icon?

A cloud icon means that voice has not been downloaded to your phone yet. Tap it to read. You need an internet connection, and the read takes a minute or two. Once downloaded, the voice will be ready to use in Maps and other apps.

What if I want no voice at all, just the map?

Toggle off Spoken Directions in Maps Settings > Navigation. The map will show your route and upcoming turns visually, but Maps will not speak them. You can turn spoken directions back on whenever you want.

Does changing my Maps voice affect other apps?

No. The voice you choose in Maps Settings only affects Maps navigation. Other apps that use voice, like Siri or audiobooks, will use their own voice settings. Siri voice is controlled separately in Settings > Siri & Search.

Why do I see fewer voices than before?

Check your language setting in Settings > General > Language & Region. If your language changed, some voices may no longer be available. Changing your language back will restore those voices. Some voices are also region-specific and only appear when your region is set to a particular country.