How to Turn Off VoiceOver on Apple TV

Turn Off VoiceOver in Settings

VoiceOver is an accessibility feature that reads text aloud on your screen. If it's turned on and you want to disable it, you can do so in the Accessibility settings on your Apple TV. The process takes less than a minute and works the same way on all Apple TV models running tvOS 11 or later.

Start by opening Settings from the Apple TV home screen. Use your remote to navigate down and select it. Once inside Settings, scroll down until you see Accessibility, then select it. Look for VoiceOver in the list of accessibility options and select it to open the VoiceOver settings page.

On the VoiceOver settings page, you'll see a toggle switch next to VoiceOver at the top. Select this toggle to turn it off. The screen will stop reading text aloud when ready, and you'll return to normal navigation mode. If you ever need to turn VoiceOver back on, you can return to this same menu and toggle it on again.

Key Takeaways

VoiceOver is disabled through Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver, where you toggle it off.
The feature stops working when ready after you turn off the toggle switch.
You can turn VoiceOver back on anytime using the same menu path.
If you can't navigate the menu because VoiceOver is on, you can use the Siri Remote to set up the accessibility shortcut instead.
VoiceOver settings are stored per user profile, so turning it off for one profile doesn't affect other profiles on the same Apple TV.

Using the Accessibility Shortcut to Turn Off VoiceOver Faster

If you find yourself turning VoiceOver on and off often, Apple TV lets you set up a quick toggle using the Accessibility Shortcut. This shortcut lets you turn VoiceOver on or off by pressing and holding a button on your Siri Remote, without navigating through Settings each time.

To set this up, go to Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut. You'll see a list of accessibility features you can assign to the shortcut. Select VoiceOver to add it to your shortcut. Once enabled, you can press and hold the Menu button on your Siri Remote to toggle VoiceOver on and off when ready.

This method is especially useful if someone else in your household uses VoiceOver regularly and you need to switch between having it on and off throughout the day. The shortcut remembers your choice, so it will work the same way every time you use it.

What to Do If You Can't Navigate the Menu

Sometimes VoiceOver can be difficult to navigate if you're not familiar with how it works. If you're stuck in VoiceOver mode and having trouble reaching the Settings menu, the fastest way out is to use the Accessibility Shortcut. Press and hold the Menu button on your Siri Remote for a few seconds — if the shortcut is set to VoiceOver, this will turn it off when ready.

If the shortcut isn't set up, you can still navigate using VoiceOver's own controls. With VoiceOver on, swipe up on the Siri Remote touchpad to move through menu items, and swipe down to go backward. Tap the touchpad to select an item. It takes practice, but this method will get you to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver so you can turn it off.

If you're still stuck, you can restart your Apple TV by unplugging it from power for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. This will restart the device and reset VoiceOver to its previous state. If VoiceOver was on when you unplugged it, it will be on again when the device restarts, so this method doesn't solve the problem permanently — but it does give you time to set up the Accessibility Shortcut before turning VoiceOver back on.

VoiceOver Settings You Can Customize

Once you're in the VoiceOver settings menu, you'll notice there are other options beyond the straightforward on/off toggle. These let you adjust how VoiceOver works if you decide to keep it on or use it occasionally. The Speaking Rate setting controls how fast the voice reads text — you can slow it down if the default speed is too quick to follow.

The Verbosity setting changes how much information VoiceOver reads aloud. A higher verbosity level means VoiceOver will describe more details about buttons, icons, and menu items. A lower level makes it read only the essential information. You can also toggle Hints on or off — hints are extra explanations that appear when you pause on a menu item.

If you're turning off VoiceOver because it's too loud or the voice is hard to understand, try adjusting these settings first. You might find that a slower speaking rate or lower verbosity level makes VoiceOver more usable for your situation. These changes take effect when ready, so you can test them without restarting your Apple TV.

Turning Off VoiceOver on Different Apple TV Models

The steps to disable VoiceOver are the same across all current Apple TV models, including the Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD. The menu structure and button locations are identical, so the Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver path works on every device. The only difference is the remote you're using — newer Apple TV models come with the Siri Remote, while older models may use the previous-generation remote.

On any remote, the process is the same: navigate to Settings, find Accessibility, select VoiceOver, and toggle it off. If you're using an older Apple TV model and have questions about your specific remote, check the Apple TV manual that came with your device or visit Apple's support website for model-specific instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will turning off VoiceOver affect other accessibility features on my Apple TV?

No. VoiceOver is independent from other accessibility features like Closed Captions, Zoom, or Color Filters. Turning off VoiceOver won't change the status of any other accessibility settings. Each feature can be turned on or off separately in the Accessibility menu.

Can I turn off VoiceOver using Siri voice commands?

Siri voice commands on Apple TV don't include a direct command to disable VoiceOver. You'll need to use the remote to navigate to Settings or use the Accessibility Shortcut. However, if you set up the shortcut to control VoiceOver, you can press and hold the Menu button instead of using voice.

What if VoiceOver turns back on by itself after I turn it off?

This usually happens if the Accessibility Shortcut is accidentally triggered. Check that you're not pressing and holding the Menu button on your remote. If it keeps happening, go to Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut and make sure VoiceOver isn't assigned to the shortcut, or assign a different feature instead.

Does turning off VoiceOver on one profile turn it off for all users on my Apple TV?

No. Each user profile on your Apple TV has its own accessibility settings. If you turn off VoiceOver for your profile, it stays off only for you. Other profiles can have VoiceOver on or off independently. When someone else signs in, their VoiceOver setting will be whatever they last set it to.

Can I turn off VoiceOver from my iPhone or iPad?

You can't control Apple TV VoiceOver from another device directly. However, if you use AirPlay to mirror your iPhone or iPad screen to your Apple TV, you could theoretically navigate through the Apple TV settings that way. The simplest method is always to use your Apple TV remote to go to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver and toggle it off.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.