Voice Control for iOS
With Voice Control it is possible to perform actions via your voice. You can tap specific elements on the screen by speaking the corresponding number or label. There are hundreds of commands that allow you to fully control your device. The Appt Foundation has worked them out for you.
Voice Control is available on all devices with iOS 13 or later.
Turn on voice control
The first time you use voice control you need to turn it on in the following way:
Way 1: via settings
Open the Settings app
Tap Accessibility
Tap Voice Control
Turn on the switch
Way 2: Via Siri
Activate Siri ( “Hey Siri” )
Say: “Turn on voice control”
Way 3: Via Shortcut
Open the Settings app
Tap Accessibility
Scroll to the bottom, tap Accessibility shortcut
Tap Voice Control
Press the side button or home button three times.
Turn off voice control
The fastest way to turn off Voice Control is with the command: “Turn off Voice Control”. In addition, you can also turn off voice control via Siri: “Turn off Voice Control”.
While voice control is activated it is still possible to navigate via touch. You can turn off voice control again via the Settings app. Tap Accessibility, tap Voice Control, and turn off the switch.
If you have set up a shortcut for VoiceOver, you can also turn it off again this way.
Using Voice Control
The most useful command to learn voice control is: “Show me what to say”. This command shows which commands are available for the current screen. In this way, you learn more and more commands to operate apps.
Note: unfortunately it will often happen that you cannot fully control apps with voice control.
Customize Voice Control
You can adjust voice control to your wishes. You can enable or disable specific commands and even create custom commands.
Enable or disable commands
Open the Settings app, tap Accessibility, tap Voice Control, and tap Customize Commands.
Then select the group in which the command falls, for example, 'Basic navigation'. Then select the command, for example, 'Open App Switcher'.
Now you are on the screen where you can turn the command on or off via the switch.
Create command
Open the Settings app, tap Accessibility, tap Voice Control, tap Customize Commands, and tap Create New Command…
Enter a phrase you want to use to activate the command. For example: 'Enter first name'.
Then tap "Action" and select "Insert text." A text field will appear, in this case, enter your first name here.
Then tap 'Back' and finally 'Save' to save the command.
You can now have your first name entered in text fields to say 'Enter first name'.
Voice Control Commands
You can view all the commands out there in the tables below.
Basic Navigation
Command | Action |
|---|---|
Open App Switcher | Switch between apps |
Open Control Center | Opens the control panel |
Open Notification Center | Opens the message center |
Open Spotlight | Opens Spotlight |
Open <app name> | Opens the app with the given name |
go home | Goes to the main screen |
go back | Goes back to the previous screen |
Tap <element> | Taps the given item |
<item> | Shows actions for the given item |
show me what to say | Shows which commands are available |
Show commands | Shows which commands exist |
Show vocabulary | Shows glossary |
Search for <phrase> | Searches for the given phrase on your device |
Search Web for <phrase> | Searches for the given phrase on websites |
go to sleep | Temporarily disable voice control |
wake up | Turn voice control back on |
Repeat <count> times | Repeats the previous command the given number of times |
Make this speakable | Opens the create new command screen |
Start recording commands | Starts recording a command |
Stop recording commands | Stops recording a command |
Overview of commands for basic navigation via voice control
Overlay
Command | Action |
|---|---|
Show numbers | Shows numbers on all actionable elements |
Show numbers continuously | Shows numbers on all actionable elements until hidden |
hide numbers | Hides numbers on all elements |
Show names | Shows labels on all actionable elements |
Show names continuously | Shows labels on all actionable elements until hidden |
Hide names | Hides labels on all elements |
Show grid | Displays a numbered grid on the screen |
Show grid with <count> columns | Displays a grid with the desired number of columns |
Show grid with <count> rows | Displays a grid with the desired number of rows |
Show grid with <count> columns and <count> rows | Displays a grid with the desired number of columns and number of rows |
Show grid continuously | Displays a grid, until each item is hidden |
Show grid continuously with <count> columns | Displays a grid with the desired number of columns, until each column is hidden |
Show grid continuously with <count> rows | Displays a grid with the desired number of rows, until each row is hidden |
Show grid continuously with <count> columns and <count> rows | Displays a grid with the desired number of columns and number of rows, until every item is hidden |
Hide grid | Hides the grid |
Tap <number> | Taps the item with the given number |
Choose <number> | Selects the item with the given number |
<number> | Taps the item with the given number |
Show actions for <item> | Shows the available actions for the given item |
Show actions for <number> | Shows the available actions for the given number |
Overview of commands for overlays via voice control
Basic gestures
Command | Action |
|---|---|
Scroll down | Scrolls the page down a bit |
Scroll up | Scrolls the page up a bit |
Scroll to bottom | Scrolls to bottom of page |
Scroll to top | Scrolls to top of page |
Scroll left | Scrolls a bit to the left |
Scroll right | Scrolls a bit to the right |
Scroll to left edge | Scrolls to the left side |
Scroll to right edge | Scrolls to the right side |
Zoom in | Zooms in on the page |
Zoom in <item> | Zooms in towards the given item |
Zoom in <number> | Zooms towards the given number |
Zoom out | Zooms out on the page |
Zoom out <item> | Zooms out towards the given item |
Zoom out <number> | Zooms out towards the given number |
Decrement <item> | Lowers the desired item by one |
Decrement <item> by <count> | Decreases the desired item by the given number |
Decrement <number> | Decreases the item with the given number by one |
Decrement <number> by <count> | Decreases the item with the given number by the given number |
Increment <item> | Increases the given item by one |
Increment <item> by <count> | Increases the given item by the given number |
Increment <number> | Increases the item with the given number by one |
Increment <number> by <count> | Increases the item with the given number by the given number |
Single tap | Taps the screen once |
Double tap | Double taps the screen |
Double tap <item> | Double taps the given item |
Double tap <number> | Double taps the item with the given number |
Long press | Long presses on the screen |
Long press <item> | Long presses on the given item |
Long press <number> | Long presses the item with the given number |
Pan down | Slowly scrolls down |
Pan down <item> | Slowly scrolls down towards the given item |
Pan down <number> | Slowly scrolls down to the item with the given number |
Pan up | Slowly scrolls up |
Pan up <item> | Slowly scrolls up towards the given item |
Pan up <number> | Slowly scrolls up to the item with the given number |
Pan left | Slowly scrolls left |
Pan left <item> | Slowly scrolls left towards the given item |
Pan left <number> | Slowly scrolls left towards the item with the given number |
Pan right | Slowly scrolls right |
Pan right <item> | Slowly scrolls right towards the given item |
Pan right <number> | Slowly scrolls right towards the item with the given number |
Rotate left | Rotates to the left on the screen |
Rotate left <item> | Rotates left on the given item |
Rotate left <number> | Rotates left on the item with the given number |
Rotate right | Rotates to the right on the screen |
Rotate right <item> | Rotates to the right on the given item |
Rotate right <number> | Rotates to the right on the item with the given number |
Swipe down | Swipes down on the screen |
Swipe down <item> | Swipes down on the given item |
Swipe down <number> | Swipes down on the item with the given number |
Swipe up | Swipes up on the screen |
Swipe up <item> | Swipes up on the given item |
Swipe up <number> | Swipes up on the item with the given number |
Swipe left | Swipes left on the screen |
Swipe left <item> | Swipes left on the given item |
Swipe left <number> | Swipes left on the item with the given number |
Swipe right | Swipes right on the screen |
Swipe right <item> | Swipes right on the given item |
Swipe right <number> | Swipes right on the item with the given number |
Two finger tap | Taps the screen with two fingers |
Two finger tap <item> | Taps the given item with two fingers |
Two finger tap <number> | Taps the item with the given number with two fingers |
Two finger double tap | Double taps the screen with two fingers |
Two finger double tap <item> | Double tap the given item with two fingers |
Two finger double tap <number> | Double taps on the item with the given number with two fingers |
Two finger long press | Long presses on the screen with two fingers |
Two finger long press <item> | Long presses on the given item with two fingers |
Two finger long press <number> | Long presses on the item with the given number with two fingers |
Two finger pan down | Slowly scrolls down the screen with two fingers |
Two finger pan down <item> | Slowly scrolls down with two fingers towards the given item |
Two finger pan down <number> | Slowly scrolls up with two fingers towards the item with the given number |
Two finger pan up | Slowly scrolls up the screen with two fingers |
Two finger pan up <item> | Slowly scrolls up with two fingers towards the given item |
Two finger pan up <number> | Slowly scrolls up with two fingers towards the item with the given number |
Two finger pan left | Slowly scrolls left on the screen with two fingers |
Two finger pan left <item> | Slowly scrolls left with two fingers towards the given item |
Two finger pan left <number> | Slowly scrolls left with two fingers towards the item with the given number |
Two finger pan right | Slowly scrolls right on the screen with two fingers |
Two finger pan right <item> | Slowly scrolls right with two fingers towards the given item |
Two finger pan right <number> | Slowly scrolls right with two fingers towards the item with the given number |
Two finger swipe down | Swipes down with two fingers on the screen |
Two finger swipe down <item> | Swipes down with two fingers towards the given item |
Two finger swipe down <number> | Swipes down with two fingers towards the item with the given number |
Two finger swipe up | Swipes up on the screen with two fingers |
Two finger swipe up <item> | Swipes up with two fingers towards the given item |
Two finger swipe up <number> | Swipes up with two fingers towards the item with the given number |
Two finger swipe left | Swipes left on the screen with two fingers |
Two finger swipe left <item> | Swipes left with two fingers towards the given item |
Two finger swipe left <number> | Swipes left with two fingers towards the item with the given number |
Two finger swipe right | Swipes right on the screen with two fingers |
Two finger swipe right <item> | Swipes right with two fingers towards the given item |
Two finger swipe right <number> | Swipes right with two fingers towards the item with the given number |
Overview of basic gesture commands via voice control
Advanced gestures
Command | Action |
|---|---|
Drag from <number> to <number> | Drags the item with the given number to the item with the given number |
Start drag <item> | Starts dragging with the given item |
Start drag <number> | Starts dragging the item with the given number |
Drop <item> | Drops the given item |
Drop <number> | Drops the item with the given number |
Tap and hold <item> | Taps and holds the desired item |
Tap and hold <number> | Taps and holds the desired number |
3D Touch <item> | Activates 3D touch on the given item |
3D Touch <number> | Activates 3D touch on the item with the given number |
Cancel gesture | Cancels the current gesture |
Overview of commands for advanced gestures via voice control
Dictate
Command | Action |
|---|---|
<phrase> | Types in the desired phrase |
<phrase> emoji | Inserts the desired emoji |
Type <phrase> | Types in the desired phrase |
Insert date | Inserts the current date |
Enter that | Inserts an enter |
Overview of Voice Dictation Commands
Text navigation
Command | Action |
|---|---|
move down | Moves the cursor down one line |
move up | Moves the cursor up one line |
move left | Moves the cursor one line to the left |
move right | Moves the cursor one line to the right |
Move to beginning | Moves the cursor to the beginning of the text |
move to end | Moves the cursor to the end of the text |
Move to beginning of word | Moves the cursor to the beginning of the current word |
Move to end of word | Moves the cursor to the end of the current word |
Move to beginning of sentence | Moves the cursor to the beginning of the current sentence |
Move to end of sentence | Moves the cursor to the end of the current sentence |
Move to beginning of paragraph | Moves the cursor to the beginning of the current paragraph |
Move to end of paragraph | Moves the cursor to the end of the current paragraph |
Move to beginning of line | Moves the cursor to the beginning of the current line |
Move to end of line | Moves the cursor to the end of the current line |
Move to beginning of selection | Moves the cursor to the beginning of the current selection |
Move to end of selection | Moves the cursor to the end of the current selection |
Move forward <count> characters | Moves the cursor forward to the given number of characters |
Move back <count> characters | Moves the cursor back to the given number of characters |
Move forward <count> words | Moves the cursor forward to the given number of words |
Move back <count> words | Moves the cursor back to the given number of words |
Move forward <count> sentences | Moves the cursor forward to the given number of sentences |
Move back <count> sentences | Moves the cursor back to the given number of sentences |
Move forward <count> paragraphs | Moves the cursor forward the given number of paragraphs |
Move back <count> paragraphs | Moves the cursor back to the given number of paragraphs |
Move forward <count> lines | Moves the cursor forward the given number of lines |
Move back <count> lines | Moves the cursor back to the given number of lines |
Move before <phrase> | Moves the cursor in front of the selected phrase |
Move after <phrase> | Moves the cursor behind the selected sentence |
Overview of commands for text navigation via voice control
Text selection
Command | Action |
|---|---|
Select all | Selects all text |
Select <phrase> | Selects the desired phrase |
Select <phrase> through <phrase> | Selects all text between the given sentence |
Select <phrase> emoji | Selects the desired emoji |
Select previous | Selects the previous sentence |
Select next | Selects the next sentence |
Select character | Selects the current character |
Select previous character | Selects the previous character |
Select next character | Selects the next character |
Select word | Selects current word |
Select previous word | Selects the previous word |
Select next word | Selects the next word |
Select sentence | Selects the current sentence |
Select previous sentence | Selects the previous sentence |
Select next sentence | Selects the next sentence |
Select paragraph | Selects the current paragraph |
Select previous paragraph | Selects the previous paragraph |
Select next sentence | Selects the next paragraph |
Select line | Selects the current line |
Select previous line | Selects the previous line |
Select next line | Selects the next line |
Select previous <count> characters | Selects the chosen number of previous characters |
Select next <count> characters | Selects the chosen number of following characters |
Select previous <count> words | Selects the chosen number of previous words |
Select next <count> words | Selects the chosen number of following words |
Select previous <count> sentences | Selects the chosen number of previous sentences |
Select next <count> sentences | Selects the chosen number of following sentences |
Select previous <count> paragraphs | Selects the chosen number of previous paragraphs |
Select next <count> paragraphs | Selects the chosen number of subsequent paragraphs |
Select previous <count> lines | Selects the chosen number of previous lines |
Select next <count> lines | Selects the chosen number of following lines |
Extend selection <count> characters | Extends the selection by the chosen number of characters |
Extend selection back <count> characters | Reduces the selection by the chosen number of characters |
Extend selection <count> words | Extends the selection by the chosen number of words |
Extend selection back <count> words | Reduces the selection by the chosen number of words |
Extend selection <count> sentences | Extends the selection by the chosen number of sentences |
Extend selection back <count> sentences | Reduces the selection by the chosen number of sentences |
Extend selection <count> paragraphs | Extends the selection by the chosen number of paragraphs |
Extend selection back <count> paragraphs | Reduces the selection by the chosen number of paragraphs |
Extend selection <count> lines | Extends the selection by the chosen number of lines |
Extend selection back <count> lines | Reduces the selection by the chosen number of lines |
Deselect that | Clears the current selection |
Overview of text selection commands via voice control
Text editing
Command | Action |
|---|---|
Replace <phrase> with <phrase> | Replaces the given sentence with the given sentence |
Insert <phrase> before <phrase> | Inserts the given sentence before the given sentence |
Insert <phrase> after <phrase> | Inserts the given sentence after the given sentence |
correct that | Corrects the current selection |
Correct <phrase> | Corrects the selected sentence |
Undo that | Undoes the last action |
Redo that | Repeats the last undo action |
cut that | Cuts the current selection |
copy that | Copies the current selection |
Paste that | Pastes the contents of the clipboard |
capitalize that | Capitalizes the current selection |
Capitalize <phrase> | Lets the given sentence start with a capital letter |
Lower case that | Makes the current selection lowercase |
Lowercase <phrase> | Lowercases the given sentence |
Upper case that | Capitalizes the current selection |
Uppercase <phrase> | Capitalizes the given sentence |
Bold that | Makes the current selection bold |
Bold <phrase> | Makes the given sentence bold |
Italianize that | Makes the current selection italic |
Italicize <phrase> | Italicizes the given sentence |
Underline that | Underlines the current selection |
Underline <phrase> | Underlines the given sentence |
Overview of text editing commands via voice control
Text deletion
Command | Action |
|---|---|
Delete that | Deletes the current selection |
Delete all | Deletes all text |
Delete <phrase> | Deletes the given sentence |
Delete character | Deletes the current character |
Delete previous character | Deletes the previous character |
Delete next character | Deletes the next character |
Delete word | Deletes the current word |
Delete previous word | Deletes the previous word |
Delete next word | Deletes the next word |
Delete sentence | Deletes the current sentence |
Delete previous sentence | Deletes the previous sentence |
Delete next sentence | Deletes the following sentence |
Delete paragraph | Deletes the current paragraph |
Delete previous paragraph | Deletes the previous paragraph |
Delete next sentence | Deletes the next paragraph |
Delete line | Deletes the current line |
Delete previous line | Deletes the previous line |
Delete next line | Deletes the next line |
Delete previous <count> characters | Deletes the previous number of characters |
Delete next <count> characters | Deletes the following number of characters |
Delete previous <count> words | Deletes the previous word count |
Delete next <count> words | Deletes the next number of words |
Delete previous <count> sentences | Deletes the previous number of sentences |
Delete next <count> sentences | Deletes the next number of sentences |
Delete previous <count> paragraphs | Deletes the previous number of paragraphs |
Delete next <count> paragraphs | Deletes the next number of paragraphs |
Delete previous <count> lines | Deletes the previous number of lines |
Delete next <count> lines | Deletes the following number of characters |
Overview of text deletion commands via voice control
Device
Command | Action |
|---|---|
Turn down volume | Turn the volume down a notch |
Turn up volume | Turn the volume up a notch |
mute sound | Mutes the sound |
Unmute sound | Unmutes the sound |
Rotate to landscape | Rotates to landscape orientation, if possible |
Rotate to portrait | Rotates to portrait position, if possible |
Lock screen | Locks the device |
Make emergency call | Makes an emergency call |
Shake device | Shake the device |
Triple press home button | Press the home button three times, if available |
Triple press side button | Press the side button three times, if available |
Take screenshot | Takes a screenshot of the current screen |
Reboot device | Restart the device |
Overview of commands for your device via voice control
Accessibility
Command | Action |
|---|---|
Turn off Voice Control | Disables 'Voice Control' |
Turn on AssistiveTouch | Enables 'AssistiveTouch' |
Turn off AssistiveTouch | Disables 'AssistiveTouch' it |
Turn on Classic Invert Colors | Enables 'Classic Reverse Colors' |
Turn off Classic Invert Colors | Disables 'Classic Reverse Colors' |
Turn on Smart Invert Colors | Enables 'Smart Reverse Colors' |
Turn off Smart Invert Colors | Disables "Smart Reverse Colors" |
Turn on Color Filters | Enables 'Color Filters' |
Turn off Color Filters | Enables 'Color Filters' |
Turn on Reduce White Point | Enables 'Reduce White Point' |
Turn off Reduce White Point | Enables 'Reduce White Point' |
Turn on Switch Control | Enables 'Switch Control' |
Turn off Switch Control | Disables 'Switch Control' |
Turn on VoiceOver | Enables VoiceOver |
Turn off VoiceOver | Disables VoiceOver |
Turn on Zoom | Enables 'Zoom' |
Turn off Zoom | Disables 'Zoom' |
Turn on VoiceOver | Enables 'VoiceOver' |
Turn off VoiceOver | Disables 'VoiceOver' |
Turn on Full Keyboard Access | Enables 'Full Keyboard Access' |
Turn off Full Keyboard Access | Disables 'Full Keyboard Access' |
Overview of Voice Access Access Commands
Voice Control Manuals
Want to learn even more about voice control? Apple has written several guides: