Change your Apple Maps voice in Settings on any Apple device

You can change the voice that gives you turn-by-turn directions in Apple Maps by opening Settings, finding Maps, and selecting a different voice under Navigation Voice. The process takes about 30 seconds and works the same way on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Apple offers several voices in different accents and languages, and you can switch between them whenever you want.

The voice you choose applies only to navigation — the spoken directions you hear while driving or walking. It does not change Siri's voice or any other system sounds. If you have already started navigation and want to change the voice mid-trip, you will need to stop navigation, change the setting, and start again.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, tap Maps, then Navigation Voice to see all available voices on your device.
  • Apple offers multiple voices in different accents and languages; the exact list depends on which language your device is set to.
  • You can change the voice at any time, but the change only takes effect the next time you start navigation.
  • If you want navigation without any voice, you can turn off spoken directions entirely in the same menu.

Steps to change the voice on iPhone or iPad

1. Open Settings. Tap the Settings app on your home screen.

2. Go to Maps. Scroll down and tap Maps. It appears in the list of apps with settings you can change.

3. Tap Navigation Voice. Under the Directions section, you will see Navigation Voice. Tap it to see your options.

4. Choose a voice. You will see a list of available voices. Tap the one you want to use. A preview will play so you can hear what it sounds like before you confirm.

5. Start navigation to test it. Open Apple Maps, search for a destination, and tap Directions. When you start the route, you should hear the voice you selected.

Steps to change the voice on Mac

1. Open System Settings. Click the Apple menu in the top left, then System Settings.

2. Find Maps in the sidebar. Click Maps in the left sidebar. If you do not see it, scroll down — it appears under the list of apps.

3. Look for Navigation Voice. In the main panel, find the Directions section and click Navigation Voice.

4. Select a voice from the dropdown. Click the dropdown menu to see all available voices. Choose the one you prefer.

5. Test it on your next route. Open Maps, search for a destination, and start navigation. The new voice will play when you begin the route.

What to do if you do not see all the voices you expect

The voices available in Apple Maps depend on which language your device is set to use. If you want more voice options, check your device's main language setting. On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > General > Language & Region. On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Language & Region. Changing your device language will give you access to different voices, but it will also change the language used throughout your entire device.

Some voices are only available in certain regions or for certain languages. For example, if your device is set to English (United States), you will see American English voices. If you switch to English (United Kingdom), you will see British English voices instead. You do not have to change your device language to hear a preview — just tap or click each voice in the Navigation Voice menu to hear what it sounds like.

How to turn off spoken directions entirely

If you prefer silent navigation and want to read the directions on your screen instead of hearing them, you can turn off the voice completely. On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > Maps > Navigation Voice and select the option that says "None" or "Off" at the top of the list. On Mac, do the same in System Settings > Maps > Navigation Voice.

When spoken directions are off, you will still see turn-by-turn directions on your screen and hear audio cues like beeps for upcoming turns. The voice announcements simply will not play. You can turn the voice back on at any time by returning to the same menu and selecting a voice.

Common reasons the voice does not change

If you changed the voice but still hear the old one, the most common cause is that you did not restart navigation after changing the setting. Close the Maps app completely, change the voice in Settings, then open Maps again and start a new route. The new voice should play on the next navigation session.

Another reason is that your device may not have downloaded all the voice files. If a voice appears in the list but sounds robotic or cuts out, try restarting your device. This forces your phone or tablet to refresh its voice data. If the problem continues, delete and reinstall the Maps app — though this is rarely necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different voice for navigation than I use for Siri?

Yes. The Navigation Voice setting in Maps is separate from your Siri voice. You can have Siri speak in one voice and your navigation directions in another. Change them independently in their own settings menus.

Will changing the voice affect navigation on my car's display?

If your car uses CarPlay, the voice you set in Apple Maps will play through your car's speakers. If your car has its own built-in navigation system, changing the Apple Maps voice will not affect it — only Apple Maps navigation will use the new voice.

What happens if I switch to a voice in a different language?

If you select a voice in a language you do not understand, the directions will play in that language. You can still see the written directions on your screen. Switch back to a voice in your preferred language in the Navigation Voice menu whenever you want.

Do I need an internet connection to hear the navigation voice?

You need an internet connection to download voice files the first time you use a new voice, but once downloaded, the voice works offline. If you are in an area without service, previously downloaded voices will still play.

Can I change the voice while I am already navigating?

You cannot change the voice mid-route without stopping navigation. End the current route, change the voice in Settings, then start navigation again. The new voice will play on the restarted route.