Sometimes, reading on your phone can feel inconvenient, especially when you can’t find your glasses. Thankfully, modern smartphones have text-to-speech apps and built-in read-aloud features that make consuming content hands-free and hassle-free. Whether you’re using an iPhone or an Android device, enabling these features can enhance accessibility for reading articles and offer convenience for users of all abilities.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through enabling and using text-to-speech on mobile devices. By doing so, your phone can read articles, emails, or any other text aloud with ease.

Why Use Text-to-Speech Features?

Text-to-speech technology isn’t just for users with vision impairment. It’s also helpful for multitasking and anyone who wants hands-free access to content. Some benefits of read-aloud technology include:

• Reading articles while relaxing.
• Enhancing accessibility for users with low vision or dyslexia.
• Increasing productivity by consuming information audibly rather than visually.

For users who rely on voice navigation for reading articles, tools like Siri, Google Assistant, and third-party text-to-speech apps offer flexibility and customization, making them invaluable for a wide range of tasks.

How to Enable Text-to-Speech Features on iPhone

Apple devices have excellent accessibility features built into their operating systems, including a read-aloud feature called Speak Screen. This allows users to hear text from any app read aloud by their phone.

Adjusting iPhone Settings for Text-to-Speech

Follow these steps to activate the Speak Screen feature on iOS devices:

1. Open Settings.
2. Scroll down and select Accessibility.
3. Tap Spoken Content.
4. Toggle the Speak Screen switch to the “on” position.

Once enabled, you’re ready to let your iPhone do the reading for you.

Using Speak Screen to Read Articles Aloud

Here are a few ways to make your iPhone read text aloud:

1. Ask Siri to Read the Screen
   Activate Siri by saying, “Hey Siri, speak screen,” and the feature will read all visible text aloud.
2. Swipe Down with Two Fingers
   On any app or webpage, swipe down from the very top of the screen using two fingers. A reading toolbar will appear, and your phone will start reading the content aloud. Adjust the speed (e.g., 1.5x) if needed.
3. Use Safari’s “Listen to Page” Option
   When browsing in Safari, tap the AA icon in the web address bar, then select “Listen to Page” from the dropdown menu. This is a quick way to activate the feature while browsing articles online.

How to Enable Text-to-Speech Features on Android

Android devices also include reliable text-to-speech capabilities on mobile devices, often through the Android Accessibility Suite or the built-in Select to Speak feature. The exact steps may vary depending on your phone’s manufacturer, but most devices running Android 11 or later support these features.

Adjusting Android Settings for Text-to-Speech

To set up “Select to Speak” on your Android device, follow these steps:

1. Download and install the Android Accessibility Suite app from the Play Store (if not already installed).
2. Go to Settings > Accessibility.
3. Tap Installed Apps and then Select to Speak.
4. Enable the Select to Speak shortcut and choose a method (e.g., button or gesture) to activate it.

Using Select to Speak to Read Articles Aloud

Once the “Select to Speak” feature is enabled, here’s how to use it:

1. Swipe up with two fingers to activate the shortcut.
2. Select specific words or sentences on the screen by tapping them or tap the Play button to read the entire screen aloud.
3. Use the on-screen controls to pause, skip, or adjust the reading speed.

With read-aloud features on phones, Android users can easily turn any on-screen text into an audio experience.

The Best Text-to-Speech Apps for Enhanced Accessibility

In addition to built-in features, several third-party text-to-speech apps can improve your experience, providing more customization or cross-platform compatibility. Some of the best text-to-speech apps available include:

• NaturalReader: Offers natural-sounding voices and supports a wide range of file types, including PDFs and Word documents.
• Speechify: Designed for productivity, Speechify can convert written content into spoken words quickly and efficiently.

These apps can complement your phone’s accessibility features, offering additional tools for voice navigation for reading articles

Customizing Text-to-Speech for Your Needs

Both iPhone and Android devices allow users to customize their text-to-speech engines for a more personalized experience. Here are a few tips to make the most of these features:
a. Adjust Speech Rate and Voice Settings
iPhone: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content, then adjust the Speaking Rate slider.
Android: Open Settings > Accessibility > Text-to-Speech Output to change the pitch, language, or speech rate.
b. Choose Your Preferred Language
Both platforms support multiple languages and accents, ensuring that content is read aloud in the most understandable way for you.
c. Enable Offline Use
Some text-to-speech apps and features allow offline functionality, so you can enjoy read-aloud technology even without an internet connection.

Pro Tips for Using Read-Aloud Technology

If you’re new to text-to-speech on mobile devices, these tips can help you get the most out of the feature.

• Use wireless earbuds, like AirPods, for seamless audio when multitasking.
• Bookmark articles you want to listen to later and access them with your phone’s read-aloud features while on the go.
• Follow trusted sources like CyberGuy to get tips for reading aloud and stay updated on the latest tech features and best practices.

Closing Thoughts

Whether you’re an iPhone or Android user, text-to-speech technology offers incredible benefits for accessibility, productivity, and convenience. From voice navigation for reading articles to customizing your phone’s settings, enabling these features lets you explore possibilities for hands-free content consumption.

Ready to learn more tips about improving your tech experience? Subscribe to our newsletter at Erin’s Ageless-Essentials at newsletter@erinsagelessessentials.com for the latest insights on elder essentials and accessibility technology.