How to Turn On Voice Control on iPad

Voice Control on iPad lets you navigate and operate your device entirely with spoken commands, making it easier to use for hands-free tasks or for those with limited mobility. This guide walks you through enabling it in Settings, setting up Siri if needed, and using basic commands to get started.

What You’ll Need

An iPad running iPadOS 13 or later (Voice Control was introduced in iPadOS 13).
Internet connection for the initial download of Voice Control files (if not already downloaded).
Siri enabled if you want to use the “Hey Siri” shortcut to toggle Voice Control.

Step-by-Step

Open Settings. Tap the gray gear icon on your Home Screen or in your App Library.
Go to Accessibility. Scroll down and tap Accessibility in the left sidebar (on iPadOS 15+). On older versions, it may be in the main list.
Select Voice Control. Under the Physical and Motor section, tap Voice Control.
Turn it on. Tap the toggle next to Voice Control at the top. If this is your first time, a prompt may appear saying “Voice Control will download files to your iPad.” Tap Continue to allow the download. Wait for the download to finish (it usually takes under a minute).
Set up Siri (optional but recommended). If you haven’t set up Siri, go to Settings > Siri & Search and enable Listen for “Hey Siri”. This lets you turn Voice Control on/off hands-free.
Learn basic commands. Once Voice Control is on, you’ll see a blue microphone icon in the status bar. Say “Go home,” “Siri,” “Swipe down,” or “Show commands” to get a list of available commands.
Customize (optional). In the Voice Control settings, you can adjust the language, toggle Overlay (shows item numbers or names), and set up custom commands under Customize Commands.
Turn it off. To disable, say “Turn off Voice Control,” or use Siri: “Hey Siri, turn off Voice Control.” You can also go back to Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control and toggle it off.

Common Mistakes

Skipping the initial download. If you turn on Voice Control and it doesn’t respond, the language files may not have finished downloading. Wait a few minutes and try again.
Not using the correct wake phrase. Voice Control doesn’t require a wake word; it listens continuously when enabled. But if you’re using “Hey Siri” to toggle it, make sure Siri is set up correctly.
Confusing Voice Control with Dictation. Dictation only types what you say, while Voice Control also executes commands. Make sure you’re using the right feature.
Having multiple devices nearby. If you have an iPhone or HomePod, “Hey Siri” might trigger the wrong device. Use the Settings toggle to avoid confusion.

Tips

Use the Overlay. Turn on Overlay in Voice Control settings to show numbers next to every tappable item. Say “Tap 3” to select item 3. This is faster than saying the item’s name.
Create custom commands. Under Customize Commands, you can create a phrase like “Open email” to perform a specific action, such as opening the Mail app.
Speak clearly and pause. Voice Control responds to distinct phrases. A short pause between commands helps it recognize separate actions.
Use “Show Commands” to see all available commands at any time. It’s a great way to discover what you can do.
Adjust the language. If Voice Control doesn’t understand your accent, try changing the language or adding a dialect in Settings.

Troubleshooting

Voice Control doesn’t respond. First, check that the microphone is not blocked and that you’re in a quiet environment. Then, go to Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control and toggle it off and on. If that fails, restart your iPad (hold the power button and volume up, then slide to power off).

Voice Control turns on but doesn’t recognize commands. Ensure the correct language is selected in Voice Control settings. Also, make sure you’ve downloaded the latest language filesâ€”go to Settings > General > Software Update to check for iPadOS updates.

“Hey Siri” doesn’t turn Voice Control on/off. Verify Siri is enabled and that “Listen for Hey Siri” is turned on. Also, check that your iPad’s language matches Siri’s language. If you’re in a region where Siri isn’t available, use the Settings toggle instead.

Voice Control interferes with typing. When Voice Control is on, the keyboard may not appear automatically. Say “Show keyboard” or “Type” to bring it up. You can also say “Hide keyboard” when done.

Battery drains faster. Voice Control uses the microphone continuously, which can reduce battery life. Turn it off when not needed, or use the “Hey Siri” shortcut to toggle it on only when necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Voice Control work offline? Yes, once the language files are downloaded, Voice Control works entirely on-device and does not require an internet connection.

Can I use Voice Control with Siri? Absolutely. You can say “Hey Siri, turn on Voice Control” to enable it without touching the screen. Once Voice Control is active, you can also say “Siri” to invoke Siri directly.

Will Voice Control work in all apps? Voice Control works system-wide, including third-party apps. However, some apps may not have accessible labels for all elements, so you might need to use the Overlay feature to tap items by number.

How do I stop Voice Control from reading everything? Voice Control doesn’t read text aloud by default. If you’re hearing spoken feedback, you may have VoiceOver enabled separately. Check Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver.

Can I create my own commands? Yes, go to Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control > Customize Commands and tap “Create New Command” to define a custom phrase and action.

Does Voice Control drain the battery? It can, because the microphone is always listening. To save battery, turn it off when not in use, or use the “Hey Siri” shortcut to activate it only when needed.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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