I wish my iPhone Would Speak Notifications

Issue #5

An iPhone notification that makes a sound and then expects you to unlock the iPhone to see the message can be frustrating and may require those with vision loss to fumble with their glasses. Notification “beeps” can be very distracting when you are driving and are expecting an urgent message. Although many users would not want their iPhone speaking on its own at inappropriate times, if you wish to have your iPhone “announce” (verbally) certain notifications without having to unlock your iPhone… read on.

iPhones and iPads can announce (speak) notifications!

The iPhone iOS 16.1 and iPadOS 16.1 releases contained a little-known feature hidden under Accessibility that allows your iPhone or iPad to announce notifications on the speaker. Previously, this was only available on Apple AirPods and some Beats earpods.

You can find the setting under:

Settings- Accessibility- Siri- Announce Notifications on Speaker

You can select which applications should be announced under:

Settings- Accessibility- Siri- Announce Notifications on Speaker

Here is a YouTube video

Please note: Although it’s not mentioned anywhere in the settings, notifications will only announce IF the iPhone or iPad is locked. I assume that Apple did not want to allow spoken announcements on an iPhone or iPad that was actively in use.

I enjoy this feature when I’m walking as I can preview the notification without stopping each time I hear a notification sound to determine its importance. It also works great when watching TV and when wanting only certain spoken notifications.