Here's how to have iPhone read texts aloud: turn on Announce Notifications for Siri to read new messages through compatible headphones or CarPlay, use Speak Screen for an open Messages conversation, or paste message text into Readwalk to listen with your phone locked. Siri announcements and Speak Screen are built into iPhone and free.
You might want to hear a text as it arrives, reread a conversation on screen, or take a long message on a walk. Each calls for a different setup. This guide covers SMS and iMessage conversations in Messages. For other reading, see general text-to-speech options for iPhone or learn how to listen to emails.
How do I hear new messages with Announce Messages?
Use Siri's message announcements when you're wearing compatible headphones or your iPhone is connected to CarPlay. Once enabled, Siri announces incoming messages automatically, reading the sender's name and the message. You can reply by voice without unlocking your phone.
- Open Settings › Notifications › Announce Notifications.
- Turn on the main Announce Notifications switch.
- Tap Messages, turn on Announce Notifications and choose All Notifications to hear every message notification.
- For headphones, wear your paired, compatible headphones and lock your iPhone.
- For CarPlay, return to Announce Notifications › CarPlay and turn on Announce Messages. Connect your iPhone to CarPlay to hear new messages.
Compatible headphones include AirPods (2nd generation or later), AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, Beats Solo Pro, Powerbeats Pro and Powerbeats. For text messages in the car, use CarPlay. This setup uses headphones or CarPlay; announcements through the iPhone speaker have a separate Accessibility setting.
How do I read messages on screen with Speak Screen?
Speak Screen is useful when you already have a conversation open and want to hear the messages on screen. It also suits a long message you'd like to listen to while looking at it.
- Open Settings › Accessibility › Read & Speak.
- Turn on Speak Screen.
- Open the conversation in Messages.
- Swipe down with two fingers from the top of the screen.
- Use the controller to play, pause or change the reading speed.
You can also say "Hey Siri, speak screen" with the conversation open. The gesture and voice command both start Speak Screen.
How do I read a saved message with Speak Selection?
Speak Selection is another free, built-in option for on-screen reading. Use it for saved message text you can select, such as one paragraph you want to hear again.
- Open Settings › Accessibility › Read & Speak.
- Turn on Speak Selection.
- Select the saved message text you want to hear.
- Tap Speak in the menu.
How to have iPhone read texts aloud with Readwalk
A long message from a friend can be easier to catch up on during a walk. Readwalk reads pasted text in natural voices and keeps playing when you lock your phone.
- Open the conversation in Messages and copy the message text you want to hear.
- Open Readwalk and paste the copied text.
- Press play in Readwalk.
- Lock your phone and listen.
For a long group thread, choose the messages you want to hear and copy their text into Readwalk. Readwalk remembers your place in each item, so you can pause and come back to it later.
Standard voices run on your iPhone, work offline and include unlimited listening. Readwalk Studio adds 10 hours of Studio voices each calendar month, plus unlimited Standard voices.
Readwalk costs $6.99/month or $39.99/year. Readwalk Studio costs $14.99/month or $99.99/year. Prices are in USD, and both yearly plans have a 7-day free trial. For other things you can paste or share, see text to speech for iPhone.
Which method should I use?
| Method | When to use it | What you need | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Announce Messages with Siri | New messages as they arrive | Compatible headphones or CarPlay | Free |
| Speak Screen | A conversation open on screen | Speak Screen enabled in Read & Speak | Free |
| Speak Selection | One saved message or paragraph | Selectable text and Speak Selection enabled | Free |
| Readwalk | Long messages or copied thread text to hear on a walk, in natural voices | Message text pasted into Readwalk | $6.99/month or $39.99/year; Readwalk Studio costs more |
Frequently asked questions
Can iPhone read text messages aloud?
Yes. Siri can announce incoming messages through compatible headphones or CarPlay. Speak Screen reads an open Messages conversation, and Readwalk reads message text you paste into it. Siri announcements and Speak Screen are free. If you'd like to follow along as you listen, Readwalk has word-by-word highlighting and adjustable speed. See reading support.
How do I get Siri to read my texts?
Open Settings › Notifications › Announce Notifications and turn on the main switch. Tap Messages, turn on Announce Notifications and choose All Notifications to hear every message notification.
For headphones, wear your paired, compatible headphones, including AirPods (2nd generation or later), and lock your iPhone. For CarPlay, return to Announce Notifications › CarPlay, turn on Announce Messages and connect your iPhone to CarPlay. When a message arrives, Siri reads the sender's name and the message.
Can I hear text messages with my phone locked?
Yes. Announce Messages reads incoming messages through compatible headphones or CarPlay. To hear saved message text with your phone locked, copy it into Readwalk and press play before locking the phone.
Does Speak Screen work in the Messages app?
Yes. Turn on Speak Screen at Settings › Accessibility › Read & Speak, then open a conversation in Messages. Swipe down with two fingers from the top of the screen to hear the messages on screen.
Can I listen to long group message threads?
Copy the message text you want to hear from Messages, paste it into Readwalk and press play. Readwalk keeps playing with your phone locked and remembers your place. You can also use Speak Screen while the conversation is open on screen.
