Voice Control FI

How To Easily Navigate the iPhone and iPad With Voice Control

Voice Control was first introduced in iOS 13, allowing users to navigate and interact with their iPhone and iPad using voice commands. To use this function:

  • Open Settings
  • Scroll and Tap on Accessibility
  • Toggle on Voice Control
  • Follow the on-screen instructions

The setup will walk you through different things you can do with voice commands, ranging from opening apps and adjusting settings to tapping buttons and dictating and editing text.

What Can Voice Control Do

With Voice Control enabled, you’ll see a blue microphone in the upper left corner of your device. You won’t need to invoke Siri or use any other kind of wake word to navigate the iPhone or iPad.

Simple commands like “Open Mail” will open the Mail app, and then you can navigate by saying things like “Go Back.” You will need to learn specific commands for control, which can take some time. For example, selecting an item in the settings app requires saying “Tap General” rather than “Select” or “Choose.”

Voice Control is a powerful tool and can do almost anything that you can do with physical access. You’ll find a sample list below:

  • Open Control Center
  • Tap items on the screen
  • Swipe left, right, down, or on the screen
  • Open Notification Center
  • Copy Text/Paste Text
  • Drag and Drop
  • Tap and hold
  • Open Notes
  • Go Home
  • Go Back
  • Open Siri
  • Take Screenshot
  • Reboot
  • Open third party apps

Here’s an example Voice Control sequence in the Settings app:

  • Open Settings
  • Tap General
  • Tap Software Update
  • Go Back
  • Tap Airplane Mode
  • Tap Airplane Mode
  • Go Home

Here’s a similar sequence in the Notes app:

  • Open Notes
  • Tap New Note
  • Speak your title
  • Tap return
  • Speak your text

To edit a Note:

  • Select phrase
  • Copy selection
  • Show Grid
  • Tap number where the cursor should be
  • Paste that
  • Tap done
  • Go Home

There are many Voice Control commands; you can see them all by going to:

  • Settings
  • Accessibility
  • Voice Control
  • Customize Commands

Or say “Show Commands” with Voice Control turned on. Apple also has a support document that’s worth checking out if you want to dive deeper. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210417

It will take some time to learn the appropriate commands and create custom ones of your own. But it’s worth the effort for those who might need this functionality.

Voice Control Options

There are several customization settings located in the Settings app.

For the insert text customization, for example, you can create a “home address” options that enter your home address whenever the phrase is spoken. Very useful for filling out forms. 

There are options to turn off various functions if something specific needs turned off, or you want to enable features not turned on by default, such as music controls or making phone calls.

In the “vocabulary” section, you can teach new words by tapping the + button and adding a phrase.

 

Conclusion

People who can control their iPhones and iPads with their hands may find this feature difficult to use. Still, it is incredibly powerful for those who have limited dexterity or mobility. 

Let me know in the comments section if you find this feature useful or tedious.

If you want a more in-depth walkthrough of Voice Control, watch the video below.

If I can help you with any problems or issues with your device, sign up for a FREE one-time consult. Just CLICK HERE.

Hi, I'm Ellen!

I help mature adults master their iPhone and iPads, even if they aren’t  techie! 

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