Open Maps, go to Settings, and pick a new voice from the list

Apple Maps lets you choose from several voices for turn-by-turn directions. The voice you hear giving directions is controlled in the Maps app itself, not in your iPhone's main Settings. You can switch voices in seconds, and the change takes effect the next time you start navigation.

The steps are the same whether you use Siri voice or one of Apple's standard navigation voices. You do not need to restart your phone or the app.

Key Takeaways

  • Voice settings for Maps are found inside the Maps app under Settings, not in your iPhone's main Settings menu.
  • Apple Maps offers multiple voice options, including Siri voices and standard navigation voices, and you can change between them at any time.
  • The new voice takes effect when ready when you start your next navigation session.
  • If you want no voice guidance at all, you can turn off voice navigation while keeping visual directions on the map.

Steps to change your Maps voice

Open the Maps app on your iPhone. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner of the screen, then tap Settings.

In Settings, scroll down and tap Navigation Voice Volume. You will see a list of available voices. Each voice is labeled by name and language. Tap the voice you want to use.

Once you select a voice, the app returns to the Settings menu. The change is saved automatically. Close Settings by tapping the back arrow or swiping from the left edge of the screen, and you are done.

What voices are available

The voices you can choose from depend on your iPhone's language and region settings. If your iPhone is set to English (United States), you will see several standard navigation voices with names like "Alex," "Samantha," and others. You also see Siri voices if you have Siri enabled on your device.

Standard navigation voices are designed specifically for giving directions—they pause at natural points and emphasize street names and turn instructions. Siri voices work the same way in Maps but sound like the Siri voice you hear when you ask Siri questions elsewhere on your phone.

If you change your iPhone's language or region, the available voices may change the next time you open Maps.

Turn off voice guidance without changing voices

If you want to keep visual directions on the map but silence the voice, you can mute navigation without removing voice guidance entirely. While navigating, look at the top of the screen. Tap the speaker icon to mute the voice for that trip.

This mute is temporary—it applies only to your current navigation session. The next time you start directions, voice guidance will be on again using your selected voice. To permanently turn off voice guidance, you would need to adjust the Navigation Voice Volume setting again, but there is no "off" option in Maps itself. Instead, you can lower the volume slider all the way down in that same Settings menu.

Why you might not hear the voice

If you have selected a voice but do not hear it when navigating, check whether your iPhone is in silent mode. The physical mute switch on the left side of your phone silences navigation voice along with all other sounds. Flip the switch so the red indicator is not showing.

Also check the volume level. If your iPhone volume is turned all the way down, you will not hear the voice even though it is playing. Use the volume buttons on the side of your phone to raise the volume, or go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and drag the volume slider up.

If voice still does not play, restart the Maps app by closing it completely and opening it again. Then start a new navigation session to test.

Voice settings sync across your devices

If you use Apple Maps on multiple devices—an iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac—your voice choice may sync if those devices share the same Apple ID and have iCloud sync turned on. However, Maps voice settings do not always sync perfectly across devices, so you may need to set the voice separately on each device if you notice a difference.

On an Apple Watch, voice navigation is controlled through the Watch app on your iPhone, not on the watch itself. Open the Watch app, go to Maps, and adjust the voice there.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Your Siri voice and your Maps voice are separate settings. You can choose any available voice for Maps regardless of which voice Siri uses. Change the Maps voice in the Maps app Settings, and change Siri's voice in your iPhone's main Settings under Siri & Search.

Will changing my Maps voice affect other apps?

No. The voice you select in Maps applies only to Apple Maps navigation. Other apps that use voice guidance, like Google Maps or Waze, have their own separate voice settings that you control within those apps.

What if I do not see the voice I want in the list?

The available voices depend on your iPhone's language setting. If you want more voices, go to your iPhone's main Settings, tap General > Language & Region, and change your language or region. When you return to Maps, more voices may appear in the list.

Can I read additional voices for Maps?

No. Apple Maps uses only the voices that come built into your iPhone. You cannot read or purchase additional voices for Maps. The voices available are determined by your device and its language settings.