Ever had your Mac begin speaking to you out of nowhere? That’s the VoiceOver function. It’s alleged to learn textual content aloud from internet pages and paperwork. The function is kind of useful whenever you want it, however not for those who flip it on by mistake. You don’t need your Mac narrating each single click on and webpage you go to.
On this information, I am going to stroll you thru a number of easy methods to show off VoiceOver with a keyboard shortcut and utilizing System Settings in your Mac.
However first, right here’s a fast listing of all of the methods you’ll be able to flip off VoiceOver in your Mac:
Methods to show off VoiceOver |
Right here’s how to do that |
Use a keyboard shortcut |
Press Command + F5 (or Command + Fn + F5 on newer Macs). |
Flip it off in System Settings |
Go to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver, then toggle it off. |
Change the login display screen setting |
Go to System Settings > Lock Display screen > Accessibility Choices, flip VoiceOver off, then click on Executed. |
Reactivate shortcut |
Go to System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Accessibility, test Flip VoiceOver on or off. |
Use Siri |
Say “Hey Siri, flip VoiceOver off” (requires Siri to be enabled in Apple Intelligence & Siri). |
VoiceOver cannot learn photographs or PDFs? |
Use Prizmo to extract textual content from photographs and browse it aloud. |
Need to hear translations out loud? |
Use Mate Translate to translate textual content and hearken to the right pronunciation. |
Tips on how to shortly flip off VoiceOver on Mac utilizing keyboard shortcuts
The quickest and best strategy to flip VoiceOver on or off is to press Command + F5, and also you’re performed! It really works on nearly each Mac, regardless of which model of macOS you’re utilizing.
If it doesn’t work, don’t fear. The perform keys on some Macs, particularly newer ones with a Contact Bar or media controls, may not behave like customary F-keys. In that case, do this as an alternative: Command + Fn + F5. That ought to do the trick.
Tips on how to flip off VoiceOver utilizing System Settings
Other than utilizing the Command + F5 shortcut, Mac additionally allows you to flip off VoiceOver in System Settings.
To do that:
- Click on on the Apple brand within the menu bar > System Settings.
- Click on Accessibility > VoiceOver.
- Flip off VoiceOver.
Tips on how to change on the ⌘ + F5 choice
Possibly you’ve disabled the Command + F5 shortcut for turning off VoiceOver and now need to flip it again on. If that’s the case, simply observe these steps:
- Click on on the Apple icon within the menu bar > System Settings.
- Click on Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts tab.
- Click on Accessibility.
- Choose the Flip VoiceOver on or off field.
Utilizing Siri to toggle VoiceOver on Mac
For those who get pleasure from utilizing your Mac hands-free, you’ll be glad to know you need to use Siri to show VoiceOver on or off. This methodology works nicely for everybody, together with visually impaired customers.
Simply activate Siri in your Mac and say, “Hey Siri, flip VoiceOver off,” or “Hey Siri, flip VoiceOver on.” Ensure that voice activation is enabled so Siri can reply to your command.
This is how you can activate Siri in your Mac:
- Go to System Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri.
- Click on the dropdown subsequent to Hear for.
- Choose “Hey Siri” or “Siri.”
- Comply with the on-screen setup to coach Siri to acknowledge your voice.
- Ensure that the primary Siri toggle on the high can be switched on.
Siri not working correctly? Try this whole information on how you can repair Siri not working points on Mac.
Tips on how to get your Mac to learn textual content from photos out loud
What do you do when your Mac’s VoiceOver utility fails to learn the textual content inside a sure graphic in your laptop? If you should learn one thing out of PDFs or different embedded photographs, you’ll be able to extract the textual content first after which use a text-to-speech perform. Fortunately, an app like Prizmo makes it extremely straightforward to scan photographs, extract textual content, and verbalize it.
Prizmo makes use of optical character recognition (OCR) know-how, which might acknowledge phrases in any picture after which create searchable PDF paperwork out of them. The app can convert photographs or scan textual content in 23 languages and browse the digitized paperwork again to you out loud utilizing its text-to-speech function in 26 languages and over 90 totally different voices.
The phrases acknowledged by the OCR function will likely be learn aloud, with the textual content highlighted within the sidebar so you’ll be able to observe alongside.
Learn additionally:
Tips on how to translate and listen to textual content aloud in your Mac? Greatest choices for voice translation
Maybe you’re selecting up a brand new language, heading overseas, or just making an attempt to speak with somebody who doesn’t perceive your mom tongue. In these moments, having phrases translated and listening to them aloud may be fairly useful.
An amazing voice translation app is Mate Translate, which works in actual time and helps 103 languages. It supplies instantaneous written translations and reads the translated textual content out loud. That spoken suggestions is ideal for nailing the right accent or rhythm whenever you communicate. Merely sort in a phrase, choose your goal language, and faucet the speaker icon to hear.
Widespread issues and troubleshooting for VoiceOver on Mac
Typically VoiceOver generally is a bit cussed and never flip off the best way it’s alleged to. If that’s occurring to you, don’t fear. Listed here are some widespread points and how you can repair them.
Keyboard shortcut not working
This is likely to be as a result of the perform keys in your Mac aren’t set to behave as customary perform keys. You can be utilizing a Contact Bar or a non-standard keyboard.
Fast repair: Use the mix: Command + Fn + F5.
VoiceOver isn’t turning off by way of System Settings
You’ve turned off VoiceOver in System Settings, however your Mac remains to be speaking. That is likely to be as a result of VoiceOver is enabled on the login display screen.
Fast repair:
- Open System Settings.
- Scroll down the sidebar and click on Lock Display screen.
- Click on Accessibility Choices.
- Flip the VoiceOver change off (or on) to regulate whether or not it’s lively on the login display screen.
- Click on Executed to avoid wasting.
Caught keys are reactivating VoiceOver
This would possibly occur in case your Command key or F5 secret is caught or defective.
Fast repair: Verify that no keys are sticking in your Mac’s keyboard. For those who’re utilizing an exterior keyboard, attempt disconnecting and reconnecting it.
Different options you’ll be able to attempt to repair widespread VoiceOver points
If not one of the suggestions above helped repair your situation, attempt among the following options:
- Restart your Mac to shortly resolve momentary glitches that is likely to be affecting VoiceOver.
- Maintain your macOS up to date, as software program updates may tackle many widespread VoiceOver points.
- Guarantee that your VoiceOver settings are configured accurately as per your preferences.
- Swap to a unique voice and see if this resolves any speech-related points. Entry your choices right here: System Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Open VoiceOver Utility > Speech.
- If the VoiceOver instructions aren’t working as supposed on sure apps, attempt them with totally different apps. Typically, the issue might be with the app, not VoiceOver.
- A not too long ago put in software program would possibly interrupt VoiceOver performance. Attempt after disabling or uninstalling the software program.
Why flip off VoiceOver on Mac
The commonest cause for wanting to show off VoiceOver is that you simply turned it on accidentally.
Even for those who switched on VoiceOver deliberately, perhaps to take a look at a doc or check an internet site’s accessibility, you in all probability received’t need it working on a regular basis. Listening to your Mac learn each single piece of textual content can gradual you down whenever you’re used to scanning issues visually. Duties like scrolling via a information article, enhancing a spreadsheet, or streaming a video can really feel draggy as a result of the narration is at all times a step behind.
In a shared area, VoiceOver also can change into a distraction. Colleagues or buddies close by would possibly marvel why your Mac is talking up, and for those who’re on a video name, any background narration may be embarrassing.
Remaining ideas on how you can flip off VoiceOver on Mac
You’ve now discovered how you can shortly flip VoiceOver on and off in your Mac, whether or not it’s a easy keyboard shortcut or adjusting settings in System Settings. While you want your Mac to learn extra advanced textual content, like photographs or PDFs, Prizmo is the go-to app, utilizing OCR to extract and vocalize textual content in dozens of languages. And for those who ever want real-time voice translation, Mate Translate makes it straightforward by offering instantaneous written translations and spoken audio in over 100 languages.
Each apps are a part of Setapp, so you need to use them with only one subscription. Setapp provides you entry to over 260 Mac and iOS apps, multi function place. You possibly can attempt it free for seven days, so it’s a good way to check each apps and see how they give you the results you want.
FAQ
How do I flip off voice management on my Mac?
Listed here are some methods to simply flip off voice management in your Mac:
- Open System Settings > Accessibility > Voice Management > Flip off Voice Management.
- Activate Siri, and say, “Hey Siri, flip Voice Management off.”
- Press Command + F5.
How do I flip off VoiceOver mode?
There are three efficient methods to show off VoiceOver mode in your Mac:
- Keyboard shortcut: Command + F5 (or Command + Fn + F5)
- System Settings: Open System Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver and switch it off.
- Siri: Activate Siri and say, “Hey Siri, flip VoiceOver off”.
Why is my Mac narrating my present?
Your Mac could also be narrating your present since you’ve by chance activated the built-in VoiceOver display screen reader. Press Command + F5 (or Command + Fn + F5) to modify it off.
What’s the function of VoiceOver on Mac?
VoiceOver is Mac’s built-in display screen reader, and it speaks the textual content that seems in your display screen. With this, you’ll be able to simply work together along with your Mac utilizing a keyboard or trackpad.