Turning on your device’s built-in screen reader
How to enable the built-in screen reader on your smartphone, tablet, laptop or computer.
Summary
A screen reader is assistive software that converts on-screen text and elements into speech. Whether you use an Apple or Android phone, or have a Mac or Windows computer, most modern devices have a built-in screen reader system which can be great for reading aloud difficult to read text or access the descriptive (alt) text on an image. These screen readers can be enabled and disabled easily at any time – so if you only want to use them for certain tasks, you can.
VoiceOver - Apple devices
VoiceOver is the screen reader on all Apple devices, such as iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks. There are two ways you can enable it:
- Ask Siri – Apple’s voice assistant – to turn it on for you. If you have voice recognition set up on your device, you can simply say “Hey Siri, turn on VoiceOver”.If not, activate Siri by pressing her blue and purple icon in the top righthand corner of your Mac’s tool bar or long pressing on the power button of your iPhone or iPad. Siri can also turn off VoiceOver for you when you are done using it.
- Turn it on manually in settings. Go to the settings app, represented by a gray icon, and click into the “Accessibility” section. VoiceOver should be the first option that appears,select it and press the first button to turn it on. This button is the same button you can use to turn it off later.
TalkBack - Android devices
TalkBack is the screen reader available with all Android smartphones and tablets, and you can enable it using either of these two options:
- Ask Bixby or Gemini – the Android voice assistants – to turn it on for you. Depending on your device, your phone or tablet will use a voice assistant called either Bixby or Gemini, but they both work the same way. Press and hold on your device’s power button for a few seconds to bring up the assistant and say “Turn on TalkBack.” Bixby and Gemini can also be used to turn TalkBack off when you are finished.
- Turn it on manually in settings. Go to your settings app, represented with a blue or gray cog icon, and tap on the “Accessibility” section. TalkBack will come up as the first option, select it and then press the button labelled “Use TalkBack”. This is the same button you can use to turn off TalkBalk later.
Narrator – Windows laptops and computers
Narrator is the screen reader which comes with all Windows systems. To turn it on, navigate to the settings app, represented by a gray cog icon. Scroll down to find the “Accessibility” section and find the option labelled “Narrator”, then press the first button to turn Narrator on and off. The button below will enable a Narrator shortcut, so you can also turn it on and off using your keyboard.
For more information
- For support using a screen reader to navigate your device in the long term, check out Guide Dogs Australia’s Assistive Technology training.
- Read about other screen reader options.
- Learn more with our voice assistance and accessibility article.
- Find out about more accessibility settings on your device with SeeWay's short digital skills training videos.
- Sign up for one of SeeWay's delivered fortnightly via Zoom
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