You can change Waze's voice through the app settings in under a minute

Open Waze and tap the profile icon (your picture or initial) in the top left corner. Tap Settings, then Voice & Sound. You'll see a list of available voices — tap the one you want to hear. The app will play a sample so you can confirm before you drive.

Waze offers dozens of voices across different languages, accents, and genders. Some are standard navigation voices, while others are celebrity voices or character voices that change how turn-by-turn directions sound. Your choice sticks across all your trips until you change it again.

Key Takeaways

  • Navigate to Settings > Voice & Sound from your profile icon to see all available voices.
  • Waze plays a sample of each voice so you can hear it before selecting it.
  • Your voice choice saves automatically and applies to all future navigation until you change it.
  • Some voices are region-specific or language-specific, so your list depends on your phone's language setting and Waze's available catalog.
  • If a voice you previously used disappears, Waze has removed it from the catalog and will revert to a default voice on your next trip.

Where to find the voice settings

The voice menu is always in the same place. Tap your profile icon in the top left of the main Waze screen — it's either a photo you've uploaded or a colored circle with your initial. This opens your profile menu.

From there, tap Settings (the gear icon). Scroll down until you see Voice & Sound. Tap it to open the voice list. The voice you're currently using will have a checkmark next to it.

How to preview and select a new voice

Tap any voice in the list to hear a short sample. Waze will play a phrase like "Turn right ahead" or "In 500 meters, turn left" so you know exactly how that voice sounds during navigation. If you like it, tap it again or tap Select (if that button appears) to confirm.

If you don't like the sample, tap a different voice and listen to that one instead. You can preview as many as you want before deciding. Once you select a voice, it takes effect immediately — your next turn will use the new voice.

What voices are available

Waze's voice catalog changes over time and varies by region and language. Standard options typically include male and female voices in different accents — American English, British English, Australian English, and others depending on your location. Most of these are professional navigation voices designed to be clear and easy to understand while driving.

Beyond standard voices, Waze periodically adds celebrity voices, character voices, or themed voices. These have been voices of actors, athletes, or fictional characters, though which ones are available changes. Some voices are tied to specific languages or regions, so if you change your phone's language setting, your available voices may change too.

If a voice you used before is no longer in the list, Waze has removed it from the catalog. When that happens, Waze automatically switches you to a default voice the next time you navigate. You'll need to pick a new voice from what's currently available.

Changing voice for different languages

If you use Waze in multiple languages, each language has its own set of voices. When you switch Waze's language in Settings, the voice menu updates to show voices available for that language. You can set a different voice for each language you use.

To change Waze's language, go to Settings > Language and pick your language. Then return to Voice & Sound to select a voice for that language. The next time you navigate in that language, Waze will use the voice you chose.

Troubleshooting voice problems

If you don't hear any voice during navigation, check that your phone's volume is turned up and that Waze's sound is not muted. In the Waze app, go to Settings > Voice & Sound and make sure Voice Guidance is toggled on. If it's off, turn it on.

If a voice sounds distorted, cuts out, or plays at the wrong volume, try closing Waze completely and reopening it. If the problem continues, go to Settings > Voice & Sound and switch to a different voice. Some voices may have playback issues on certain phones or Android/iOS versions, and switching often resolves it.

If you see a voice in the list but it won't play a sample when you tap it, your phone may not have downloaded that voice's audio files yet. Waze downloads voice files on demand, so make sure you have a stable internet connection. Try tapping the voice again after a few seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a custom voice or record my own voice for Waze?

No, Waze does not allow custom or recorded voices. You can only choose from the voices Waze provides in the Voice & Sound menu. The voices available depend on your region, language, and which ones Waze currently offers.

Why did my favorite voice disappear?

Waze removes voices from its catalog periodically, especially celebrity or limited-time voices. When a voice is removed, you won't see it in the list anymore. Waze will switch you to a default voice on your next trip, and you'll need to pick a new one from the current available options.

Does changing the voice affect navigation accuracy or directions?

No. The voice is purely how Waze speaks to you — it has no effect on the route, timing, or accuracy of directions. Changing voices is only a cosmetic preference and does not change how Waze calculates or guides your trip.

Can I have different voices for different routes or trips?

No, Waze uses one voice for all your navigation. You can change it anytime, but you can't set it to switch automatically based on the route or time of day. If you want a different voice, you have to manually change it in Settings before you start navigating.

What if the voice menu is empty or shows no voices?

This is rare but can happen if your phone has no internet connection or if Waze hasn't finished downloading its voice catalog. Make sure you're connected to WiFi or mobile data, close Waze, and reopen it. The voice list should populate once the app syncs with Waze's servers.