iPhone (iOS) · Accessibility
Control Your Entire iPhone by Voice
Voice Control lets you navigate and operate nearly all of iOS — opening apps, tapping buttons, dictating text, scrolling — entirely by speaking commands, built for users who can't or prefer not to use touch input.
How to open Voice Control
- Open Settings → Accessibility → Voice Control.
- Turn on Voice Control and allow the initial language file download.
- Say 'Show Numbers' or 'Show Grid' to reveal tappable overlays.
- Speak a number, label, or command to interact with the screen.
What you should know
- Overlays numbers or a grid on screen so you can say exactly what to tap.
- Supports full dictation with voice-based editing and punctuation commands.
- Custom commands and vocabulary can be trained for specific words or phrases.
- Requires downloading a voice control language file the first time it's enabled.
Voice Control needs a one-time language file download and works best in a quiet environment; background noise can cause misrecognized commands.
Why it matters
For users with limited hand mobility, Voice Control can make an iPhone fully operable without ever touching the screen, covering everything from opening apps to precise text editing. It's also useful in situational cases, like when your hands are full or injured temporarily.
Best practices
- Use a quiet environment when first learning Voice Control commands, since background noise increases misrecognition.
- Learn the 'Show Numbers' and 'Show Grid' overlay commands early, since they cover nearly any tap you'd need to make.
- Train custom commands for phrases or actions you use often to speed up repetitive tasks.
Common problems and fixes
- Voice Control keeps misrecognizing commands
- Move to a quieter environment, speak clearly with brief pauses between commands, and check that the correct language/dialect is selected in settings.
- Can't tap a specific small button reliably
- Say 'Show Grid' instead of 'Show Numbers' for more precise coordinate-based tapping on small or closely spaced elements.
Tips and tricks
- Say 'Go to Sleep' to temporarily pause Voice Control listening without turning the whole feature off, useful during a conversation nearby.
Frequently asked questions
Does Voice Control work without an internet connection?
Yes, once the initial language file is downloaded, Voice Control processes commands on-device and doesn't require an active internet connection.
Can I use Voice Control and Siri at the same time?
Voice Control temporarily takes over listening for its own commands, so you generally use one or the other in the moment, though both remain enabled and available.
Related settings
- Accessibility SettingsAccessibility settings on iPhone include VoiceOver screen reading, Zoom magnification, Voice Control, and many vision, hearing, mobility, and cognitive features.
- VoiceOverVoiceOver is iOS's gesture-based screen reader that describes aloud everything on screen — text, buttons, images — letting blind and low-vision users navigate the entire iPhone by touch and sound instead of sight.
- KeyboardKeyboard settings let you add languages and layouts, configure autocorrect and predictive text, and connect a physical Bluetooth or Magic Keyboard for a more traditional typing experience.
More Accessibility guides for iPhone (iOS)
- Language & RegionLanguage & Region controls which language iOS displays system-wide, plus region-specific formatting for calendars, number separators, measurement units, and temperature — separate settings that don't have to match each other.
- MagnifierMagnifier uses the iPhone's camera to magnify nearby text, objects, or your surroundings in real time, with added tools like Detection Mode for identifying people, doors, and objects for users with low vision.
- Switch ControlSwitch Control lets people operate iPhone using one or more adaptive switches, the screen, or a camera instead of direct touch, scanning through items on screen until the desired one is selected.
- AssistiveTouchAssistiveTouch places a customizable floating button on screen that opens a menu for performing gestures, hardware button actions, and multitasking without needing to touch the physical buttons or use multi-finger gestures.
- Sound RecognitionSound Recognition uses on-device listening to identify sounds like alarms, doorbells, sirens, car horns, or a crying baby, and sends a notification when one is detected nearby.
- Guided AccessGuided Access temporarily restricts iPhone to one app and lets you disable specific screen areas, hardware buttons, or gestures, helping someone stay focused or preventing accidental exits.