macOS · Accessibility
Navigate Your Mac With Spoken Descriptions
VoiceOver is macOS's built-in screen reader, describing aloud what's on screen — windows, buttons, text, and images — so you can use the entire Mac without seeing the display. It works through keyboard commands and gestures rather than a mouse.
How to open VoiceOver
- Open System Settings → Accessibility → VoiceOver.
- Turn on the VoiceOver toggle (or press Command-F5).
- Complete the VoiceOver Quick Start or Training tutorial that appears.
- Adjust voice, speech rate, and verbosity from the VoiceOver Utility that opens alongside it.
What you should know
- Reads aloud text, buttons, menus, and images (using descriptions) as you navigate.
- Uses a dedicated set of keyboard shortcuts called the VoiceOver modifier (Control + Option by default).
- Includes a Trackpad Commander mode for gesture-based navigation on MacBooks.
- Comes with an interactive VoiceOver Training tutorial built into macOS.
Turning on VoiceOver changes how basic navigation works system-wide; if you're new to it, run the built-in tutorial before relying on it fully.
Why it matters
VoiceOver makes it possible for people who are blind or have low vision to use a Mac fully and independently, and it's built in at no extra cost rather than requiring third-party software. Even sighted users sometimes use it temporarily, like when a display is damaged or unavailable.
Best practices
- Complete the built-in VoiceOver Training before daily use so the keyboard commands become familiar.
- Adjust speech rate gradually — experienced users often speed it up significantly beyond the default.
- Use VoiceOver Utility to fine-tune verbosity so it doesn't read out more detail than you need.
Common problems and fixes
- VoiceOver turns on unexpectedly and is hard to turn off without seeing the screen.
- Press Command-F5 again, or hold Command while pressing the Touch ID button (on supported Macs) to toggle VoiceOver off.
- A specific app doesn't read correctly with VoiceOver.
- Check for an app update, since accessibility support depends on the developer implementing proper labels; report the issue to the app's developer if it persists.
Tips and tricks
- Press Command-F5 anywhere to toggle VoiceOver on or off quickly without opening System Settings.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use VoiceOver with a mouse instead of only the keyboard?
Yes, VoiceOver supports mouse and trackpad interaction alongside keyboard navigation, though many users find keyboard commands faster once learned.
Does VoiceOver work with Braille displays?
Yes, VoiceOver supports a wide range of refreshable Braille displays, configurable in VoiceOver Utility under the Braille category.
Related settings
- Accessibility SettingsAccessibility settings on Mac include VoiceOver screen reading, Zoom for magnification, Voice Control, and many vision, hearing, and mobility features to make macOS easier to use.
- ZoomZoom is macOS's built-in screen magnifier, letting you enlarge everything on the display using keyboard shortcuts, trackpad gestures, or the mouse scroll wheel, without needing a separate magnifying app. It works independently of display resolution settings.
- Voice ControlVoice Control lets you operate your entire Mac — clicking, typing, opening apps, and navigating menus — using only spoken commands, with all speech processing done on-device for privacy. It's built for people who can't use a traditional mouse and keyboard, but works for anyone who wants hands-free control.
More Accessibility guides for macOS
- Language & RegionLanguage & Region settings control which language macOS and your apps display in, plus regional formatting for dates, times, numbers, currency, and the calendar system used system-wide. You can also set different preferred languages per individual app.
- Switch ControlSwitch Control lets you operate your entire Mac using one or more adaptive switches, a game controller, or the keyboard instead of a mouse and trackpad, by scanning through onscreen items and selecting with a button press.
- CaptionsCaptions settings control how closed captions and subtitles appear across macOS, including text style, background, and size, and let you require captions whenever available in supported media.
- Sound RecognitionSound Recognition uses on-device listening to detect sounds such as a doorbell, smoke alarm, or crying baby, and shows a notification on screen so people who are deaf or hard of hearing do not miss them.
- Display AccommodationsDisplay Accommodations groups visual comfort settings such as Reduce Motion, Increase Contrast, Differentiate Without Color, and color filters, letting you tune how the interface renders for visual comfort or color vision differences.
- Pointer ControlPointer Control provides accessibility-focused cursor options, including size and color customization, Dwell Control for click-free selection, and Head Pointer for hands-free cursor movement using the camera.