Use Spoken Content on Mac, iPad, and iPhone

Summary

How to set up and use Apple Spoken Content — Speak Selection and Speak Screen — to read text aloud on Mac, iPad, and iPhone, including turning it on, using the shortcuts, and adjusting voice and speaking rate. Notes how it differs from the VoiceOver screen reader. Applies to Bowdoin community members using Apple devices.

Body

Questions

  • How do I make my Mac read text aloud?
  • How do I have my iPad or iPhone speak the screen or selected text?
  • What is Speak Selection and Speak Screen?
  • How do I turn on Spoken Content?
  • Can I change the voice or reading speed?

Environment

This article applies to Bowdoin community members using Apple devices — Mac (macOS), iPad (iPadOS), and iPhone (iOS). Spoken Content is built in and requires no extra software.

Resolution

On a Mac

  1. Choose Apple menu > System Settings > Accessibility, then select Spoken Content (called Read & Speak in newer macOS).
  2. Turn on Speak selection. The default shortcut is Option + Esc.
  3. Select text anywhere and press the shortcut to hear it. If nothing is selected, your Mac reads available text in the current window.
  4. Use the info (i) options to change the voice and speaking rate and to highlight words as they are read.

On iPad or iPhone

  1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content.
  2. Turn on Speak Selection to get a Speak button when you select text, and/or Speak Screen to read the whole screen.
  3. With Speak Screen on, swipe down with two fingers from the top of the screen to start reading.
  4. Tap Voices and the Speaking Rate slider to adjust how it sounds.
Tip: Spoken Content is different from the VoiceOver screen reader. Spoken Content reads text on request; VoiceOver narrates and controls the entire interface. See Screen Readers: VoiceOver and Narrator if you need full audio navigation.

Additional Help

If you need further assistance, you have several options:

  • Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
  • Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
  • In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
  • Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.

Additional Resources

Details

Details

Article ID: 174274
Created
Mon 8/10/26 11:53 AM
Modified
Mon 8/10/26 4:03 PM

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