Voice guidance helps you follow directions without having to stare at your screen. Apple Maps uses Siri’s voice for spoken instructions, and you can update this voice for things like accent, gender, and language. Changing these settings affects all Siri interactions on your device.
You do not have a separate voice setting inside Apple Maps. Instead, you adjust Siri’s voice from your system settings. After you update Siri’s voice, the next time you start navigation in Apple Maps, the new voice will speak directions.
Here are all reliable methods to change voice on Apple Maps.
Table of contents
Method 1: Change Voice on iPhone or iPad
Changing voice on your iPhone or iPad updates the sound for Apple Maps directions and all Siri interactions on that device.
What You Get
- Choose from different accents like American, British, Indian, Australian, Irish, and South African.
- Select different voice styles (Voice 1, Voice 2, etc.).
- Language changes affect both Siri responses and spoken navigation.
Steps to Change Voice
- Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap Siri & Search, or if your iOS uses new labels, open Apple Intelligence & Siri.
- Tap Siri Voice.
- Pick an Accent.
- Choose the Voice you prefer.
- Wait while your device downloads the voice file.
- Restart Apple Maps and begin navigation to use the new voice.
Method 2: Change Voice Language
You might want a voice in a different language than your device uses. Apple Maps spoken directions follow Siri language, not just system language.
What to Know
- Siri supports many languages, but not all.
- If Siri doesn’t support your region language, Maps may still use the system language with default voice.
Steps to Change Language
- Open Settings.
- Tap Siri & Search.
- Choose Language.
- Pick a new language for Siri and Maps navigation.
- Return to Maps and start navigation.
Method 3: Change Voice on Mac
If you use Apple Maps on Mac, voice settings still link to Siri. Changes on your Mac affect voice for directions you send from Maps on Mac or forward to your iPhone.
Steps to Change Voice on Mac
- Choose Apple menu, then System Settings or System Preferences.
- Select Apple Intelligence & Siri or Siri.
- Check that Enable Ask Siri is on.
- Select Voice Variety or Siri Voice.
- Pick a new voice and confirm.
- Restart if needed.
Method 4: Change Voice on Apple Watch
Apple Watch also uses Siri settings for spoken guidance. You can update Siri’s voice on your watch to change how Maps voice sounds.
Steps to Change Voice on Apple Watch
- Open Settings on your Apple Watch.
- Scroll to Siri.
- Tap Siri Voice.
- Select the voice variety and voice you want.
- Confirm your choice.
NOTE
Tips
- Make sure your device is on Wi-Fi when downloading new voices.
- Restart Maps if changes don’t show up immediately.
- Use a clear accent you understand well when driving.
- You cannot set a separate voice just for Apple Maps; it always follows Siri voice settings.
FAQs
Can I use a different voice for Apple Maps than Siri?
No. Apple Maps uses the same voice as Siri, so updating Siri updates Maps voice.
Why don’t I see a voice option?
If your iOS version labels Siri settings differently, look for Apple Intelligence & Siri or update to the latest iOS.
Can I get celebrity voices or uploaded files?
Apple does not let you install custom or celebrity voices for Maps. It only supports built-in Siri voices.
How do I change the language of spoken directions only?
You must change the Siri language, which also affects other Siri responses.
Summary
- Apple Maps voice matches Siri’s voice settings.
- On iPhone or iPad, open Settings > Siri & Search > Siri Voice.
- Pick an Accent and Voice then wait for download.
- Change Language under Siri settings if you want different spoken directions.
- Changes apply to Mac, Apple Watch, and CarPlay too.
Conclusion
You can update the Apple Maps voice by changing the Siri voice on your Apple device. This gives you control over accent, language, and voice style. The process is simple and takes just a few minutes within your device settings. Once you set the new voice, spoken directions in Apple Maps will use that voice the next time you start navigation.
