Custom Voice Control Commands on macOS Catalina

Voice Control in macOS Catalina lets you operate your Mac entirely by voice, and custom commands take it further by letting you trigger your own actions with phrases you choose. This guide walks you through creating your own voice commands, from simple text shortcuts to more advanced workflows using AppleScript.

What You’ll Need

• A Mac running macOS Catalina (10.15) or later
• An internet connection for the initial voice recognition download (if not already installed)
• Administrator access to your Mac (to enable Voice Control in System Preferences)
• Optional: AppleScript knowledge for advanced commands

Step-by-Step

1. Enable Voice Control: Open System Preferences > Accessibility > Voice Control. Toggle it on. Your Mac will download the speech recognition files if this is the first time.
2. Open the Commands Window: With Voice Control active, click the Commands button (or say “Show commands”). A window listing all default commands appears.
3. Add a New Command: Click the + (plus) button at the bottom left of the Commands window.
4. Name Your Command: In the “When I say” field, type the phrase you want to speak. Use lowercase unless you want it case-sensitive. For example, “open my project”.
5. Choose an Action: From the “While using” dropdown, select the app or context where the command should work. Choose “Any Application” for global use.
6. Select the Action Type: From the “Perform” dropdown, choose one of:
   • Open App: Then click “Choose App” and select the application.
   • Open URL: Enter the full web address (e.g., https://example.com).
   • Paste Text: Type the text you want inserted.
   • Press a Keyboard Shortcut: Click “Set” and record the key combination (e.g., Command+Shift+P).
   • Run AppleScript: Paste your script into the text field.
7. Save the Command: Click Done. Your command now appears in the list and is active immediately.
8. Test It: Say your phrase and watch it execute. If it doesn’t work, check the “While using” context and try again.

Common Mistakes

• Using phrases that conflict with default commands: If your phrase matches a built-in command (like “open” or “close”), your custom one may not run. Use unique phrases.
• Forgetting to set the app context: A command meant for Safari may not work in Chrome if you set it to “Safari only”.
• Mis-typing AppleScript: A single typo can break the script. Test in Script Editor first.
• Not enabling “Show commands” after editing: Sometimes the Commands window needs to be reopened to refresh.

Tips

• Use specific, longer phrases to avoid accidental triggers. “Open my project folder” is better than “open folder”.
• Create a “Paste Text” command for frequently used snippets like your email signature or address.
• Combine with keyboard shortcuts for actions that don’t have a direct menu item.
• Use AppleScript for multi-step tasks: For example, a script that opens Mail, creates a new message, and addresses it to a specific contact.
• Organize commands by app: Keep global commands minimal to reduce confusion.

Troubleshooting

• Command doesn’t respond: Check that Voice Control is still on (look for the microphone icon in the menu bar). Ensure your phrase is exactly as typed. Try restarting Voice Control (toggle off and on).
• Command works in one app but not another: The command may be set to a specific app. Edit it and change “While using” to “Any Application”.
• AppleScript error: Open Script Editor, paste the script, and run it. Look for syntax errors. Also ensure the script is saved as a compiled script if needed.
• Voice Control won’t enable: Check your internet connection (first-time setup needs it). Restart your Mac if it persists.
• Custom commands disappear after reboot: They should persist, but if not, check that you clicked “Done” after creating them. If the issue continues, reset Voice Control preferences (System Preferences > Accessibility > Voice Control > Advanced > Reset).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use custom commands in any language?

Yes, but the phrase you say must match the language selected in Voice Control settings. You can change the language in System Preferences > Accessibility > Voice Control > Language.

Will custom commands work with Siri?

No. Voice Control is separate from Siri. Siri commands are handled by Siri, while Voice Control commands are processed locally by the Mac’s speech recognition.

Can I create a command that types a date or time?

Not directly. You’d need to use an AppleScript that inserts the current date/time. For example: set theDate to (current date) as string then paste it.

How many custom commands can I have?

There’s no official limit. You can create as many as you need, but performance may degrade with hundreds. Keep it to a reasonable number.

Do custom commands work when Voice Control is off?

No. Voice Control must be enabled for any command, including custom ones, to work. You can turn it on quickly by saying “Hey Siri, turn on Voice Control” if Siri is enabled.

Can I export or share my custom commands?

Not directly. Commands are stored in the system’s preferences. You can copy the AppleScript snippets, but there’s no built-in export feature.

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