This guide will show you how to use VoiceOver on a Mac. Users who are blind or have low vision can now navigate apps and websites with the help of screen readers like JAWS or NVDA. VoiceOver, a built-in accessibility feature, on the other hand, is helpful for Mac users. This feature supports Apple’s decisions for accessibility by giving users a highly customized and easy-to-use experience. To help you get started using VoiceOver on your Mac, we’ll go over everything you need to know.
How To Use VoiceOver On Mac In 2025
That’s all you need to know about How To Use VoiceOver On Mac in this post.
Apps and websites can be navigated and understood with the help of global screen readers like NVDA and JAWS. Without installing any extra screen readers, macOS users can use VoiceOver, an integrated feature. The design of the tool supports accessibility settings that are highly customizable and work well with Apple products. This includes everything, like installing a new braille display or changing the settings on your keyboard for attention.
To get started using VoiceOver on your Mac, all you need is the details provided.
How to Turn on VoiceOver?
VoiceOver can be enabled in a variety of ways on the Mac. Here are some of them:
- Select VoiceOver from the menu on the left under the Vision area in System Preferences: Open System Preferences. Last, click on Talk Back. After that, click the Open VoiceOver Training button to quickly get to the Quick Start training menu. In the menu that comes up when you click the Open VoiceOver Utility button, you can change voice settings and reading speed.
- You can use a computer shortcut to turn on VoiceOver by hitting Command + F5. When the window comes up, click the Use VoiceOver button. You can then discover the important commands and learn how to use the function by choosing the Learn More option.
With Siri Is Siri on your computer turned on? If that’s the case, you can ask Siri to turn on VoiceOver.
You can make VoiceOver turn on by itself when your Mac starts up by going to System Preferences > Users & Groups > VoiceOver. At the bottom of the user list, select the Login Options button. Enter your master password if the lock icon in the bottom left corner is not active. From the menu, select Accessibility Options. Select VoiceOver and check the box. Click on Apply.
How to turn off VoiceOver?
VoiceOver can be turned off on a Mac in a number of ways, but the easiest is to learn the keyboard trick. To turn off VoiceOver, just press Command + F5. But please keep in mind that this shortcut also starts this tool. You can also turn it off in System Preferences. To turn off VoiceOver, just uncheck the box next to it and do what was said above.
Can you customize voiceover settings?
Yes, you can change the VoiceOver settings with the VoiceOver Utility app. Launch VoiceOver Utility and select the Help button to find out more about your choices.
Press VO-F8 to open the VoiceOver Utility when VoiceOver is enabled on your Mac. You can also go to the Apple menu, select System Settings, then Accessibility, and then VoiceOver. From there, choose VoiceOver > Open VoiceOver Utility. Check out How To Send And Check Voicemails as well.
The VoiceOver Utility window has a menu that you can use to look for choices. Type the word or phrase you want to find into the field given. Then, use the up and down button keys to move through the list of results. For each result, the VoiceOver Utility program will highlight the option and display the screen that contains it.
You can use VoiceOver, the macOS screen reader, in any way you want after making the required changes. You can use different voices, braille devices, different ways to navigate web pages, and a lot more.
How to use VoiceOver Gestures?
If your Mac has a trackpad and the Trackpad Commander is turned on, you can use VoiceOver gestures to interact with and navigate the screen elements. Trackpad Commander can be used by holding down the VoiceOver button and moving two fingers clockwise around the trackpad. To turn this off, hold down the VoiceOver switch and spin two fingers counterclockwise.
You can’t change the movements that come with VO when you’re looking or dealing with things on the screen. But you can change how other motions work. To make them stand out, you can give them VO directions.
Tap three times if you can’t see it on the screen to find out what’s in your VO icon. Pulling your finger across the trackpad will let you hear something you want to pick. Just keep it there and tap it with your second finger. This is known as a split tap.
How to use braill displays with VoiceOver?
In order for VO to work, you need to connect a braille display that is suitable with your Mac. The display will then be recognized by Vo on its own, and it will transmit information about what is on it. You can connect more than one braille display to your Mac. Using the VoiceOver Utility program, you can also make your braille experience more unique.
Conclusion
VoiceOver is a useful and effective screen recording that comes with Mac computers. This feature is useful because it reads everything on the screen for users who are blind or have other vision issues. To use the feature, just move your finger over different things to hear them read out loud. Learn what your Mac’s VO function can do if you haven’t already.
