16 step-by-step guides
How-to guides
Your phone and computer already include tools that read text aloud, take dictation and change how text looks. These guides show exactly where to find them, with links to the official help pages.
Listen to text
- How to turn on text to speech on iPhoneTurn on Speak Selection and Speak Screen on iPhone, pick a voice and speaking rate, and use Accessibility Reader. Menu names for iOS 26, 27 and iOS 18.
- How to use text to speech on AndroidTurn on Select to Speak, set the speech rate and voice under Text-to-speech output, and have Chrome read web pages aloud on an Android phone or tablet.
- How to use text to speech on Windows 11 and Windows 10Three ways to have a Windows PC read text aloud: Read aloud in Edge, Read Aloud in Word, and Narrator. Shortcuts, voice and speed settings, and fixes.
- How to make your Mac read text aloudTurn on Speak selection in Read & Speak (Spoken Content on macOS Sequoia), use Option-Esc, choose a voice and rate, and highlight words as they are read.
- How to use Read aloud in Microsoft EdgeStart Read aloud in Edge from the More menu or Reading mode (F9), change the voice and speed, and use Line focus and text spacing in Immersive Reader.
- How to use Read Aloud in Microsoft WordTurn on Read Aloud from the Review tab in Word, change the reading speed and voice, use keyboard shortcuts, and try Immersive Reader with Line Focus.
- How to use text to speech and display settings on KindleTurn on Assistive Reader on a Kindle or in the Kindle app, change speed, and adjust font, line spacing, margins and page color from the Aa menu.
Speak instead of typing
- How to use dictation on iPhoneTurn on Dictation on iPhone, tap the microphone key, add punctuation and line breaks by voice, fix words by voice, and switch off Auto-Punctuation.
- How to use voice typing on Android with GboardUse Gboard voice typing on Android: tap the microphone, say punctuation, replace a word by voice, and turn on advanced voice typing on Pixel.
- How to use voice typing and dictation on WindowsPress Windows logo key + H to start voice typing, say punctuation and editing commands, change settings, and when to use voice access or Dictate in Word.
- How to use dictation on a MacTurn on Dictation in Mac Keyboard settings, start it with the Microphone key or a shortcut, add punctuation by voice, and fix words underlined in blue.
Make text easier to see and use
- How to use reading mode in ChromeOpen Chrome reading mode from the right-click menu or a shortcut, change font, line height and letter spacing, and have the page read aloud.
- How to use Safari Reader on iPhone and MacShow Reader in Safari on iPhone and Mac, turn it on automatically for a site, change font and background on Mac, and have Safari read a page aloud.
- How to change text size and spacing on iPhoneMake iPhone text bigger or bold, set sizes per app, use Display Zoom, and change line, word and letter spacing in Accessibility Reader.
- How to change text size and spacing on AndroidChange font size and display size on Android, turn on bold text, zoom web pages in Chrome, and adjust line spacing and fonts with the Reading mode app.
- How to set up text replacement shortcuts for words you often misspellMake a short code expand to a word you often misspell: Text Replacement on iPhone and Mac, Office AutoCorrect on Windows, and the Gboard dictionary.
Which reading situations come up most for you?
Find out in 8 minutes. Free, no sign-up, skip any question. Your answers stay in your browser.
Start the free reading check
This educational questionnaire summarizes what you tell us about reading and writing. It does not screen for, diagnose, or rule out dyslexia or any other condition.