Don’t like the voice Apple Maps uses when giving you directions? You can change it from your iPhone’s Siri settings in just a few steps.
Quick answer How to Change Apple Maps Voice: Go to Settings → Siri or Apple Intelligence & Siri → Voice, then choose the voice you want. Apple Maps uses that voice for spoken navigation. If you want to change the language instead, use the Language option in the same Siri settings.
If your goal is simply to make Maps louder, quieter, or silent, you don’t need to change the voice. Those controls are available separately in Settings → Apps → Maps → Spoken Directions and through the Audio Control button while you’re navigating.
How to Change the Apple Maps Voice
Apple doesn’t put the main voice selector inside the Maps app. Instead, the voice used for spoken directions is connected to your Siri voice.
Here’s how to change it:
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Tap Siri or Apple Intelligence & Siri.
- Select Voice.
- Tap the available voice options to hear a preview.
- Choose the voice you want.
- Open Apple Maps and start a new route.
You should hear the selected voice when Maps begins giving spoken directions. Apple documents this same Siri setting for changing the voice used by spoken Maps directions.
If you’re using an older iOS version, the name or location of the Siri menu may look different. The important thing to look for is the Siri voice setting rather than a separate “Maps voice” option.
How to Change Voice on Maps iPhone 15, 16, 17, or 13
The iPhone model itself isn’t what determines the Maps voice setting. The bigger factor is the iOS version installed on the device.
So whether you’re using an iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15, iPhone 16, iPhone 17, or a newer supported model, the basic process is to find the Siri voice settings and select another voice.
On newer versions of iOS, you may see:
- Settings → Siri or Apple Intelligence & Siri → Voice
Older versions can use different Siri-related menu names or layouts. For example, an older iOS installation may show Siri & Search instead of the newer Siri wording.
If you’re following an older tutorial and the menu doesn’t look exactly the same, don’t worry. Check the Siri section in Settings and look for Voice.
The important distinction is this:
- iPhone model: usually doesn’t change the basic procedure.
- iOS version: can change the names and appearance of Settings.
- Siri voice: determines the voice used for spoken Maps directions.
How to Change Apple Maps Voice on iOS 15, 17, 18, and 26
Apple has changed the appearance and organization of Settings over different iOS releases, so an iPhone running an older version may not match screenshots from a newer tutorial.
If you’re using iOS 15, iOS 17, iOS 18, or iOS 26, start by opening Settings and looking for the Siri settings.
On current iOS versions, Apple documents the path as:
Settings → Siri or Apple Intelligence & Siri → Voice
You can also change the language from the same area by selecting Language. Apple specifically lists these controls for changing the voice or language used for spoken Maps directions.
For iOS 26, Apple’s current iPhone User Guide continues to document Siri voice and language controls for spoken Maps directions.
If you’re finding for instructions for a specific iOS release, the safest approach is to follow the setting names on your own iPhone rather than relying entirely on an older screenshot.
How to Change Apple Maps Voice Language
Want Maps to speak directions in another language?
You can change the language through Siri settings:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Siri or Apple Intelligence & Siri.
- Tap Language.
- Select the language you want to use.
- Return to Maps and start navigation.
Apple says changing Siri’s language also changes the language used for spoken Maps directions.
There’s one important thing to remember: this isn’t a Maps-only language setting. Changing Siri’s language affects Siri as well.
The languages and voice choices available to you can vary depending on the language and region supported by your iPhone.
How to Change the Apple Maps Voice Accent
If you want Maps to sound different without switching to a completely different language, check the voice options available under:
Settings → Siri or Apple Intelligence & Siri → Voice
Tap the available choices to hear their previews and select the one you prefer.
The exact choices aren’t identical for every language. So if you’re looking for a particular regional accent, such as British or Australian English, whether it appears depends on the voice options Apple provides for your selected language.
It’s better to choose from the voices actually shown on your iPhone rather than expect every accent to be available on every device.
How to Change Apple Maps Voice Volume
Changing the voice and changing its volume are two separate things.
If you like the current Maps voice but can’t hear it clearly, go to:
Settings → Apps → Maps → Spoken Directions
Look for Voice Volume and choose the volume level you want. Apple currently provides options for different spoken-direction volume levels.
You can also adjust the volume while you’re navigating.
Start a route in Maps, tap the Audio Control button, and select:
- Louder
- Normal
- Softer
This is useful if you want to change the navigation volume for a particular drive without changing your preferred voice.
Want to record the process? You can use your iPhone’s built-in Screen Recording feature and turn on the microphone to capture your screen and voice. Learn how to record your iPhone screen with microphone audio.
How to Turn Off Voice on Apple Maps
If you don’t want Maps to read every turn aloud, you can mute spoken directions without changing your Siri settings.
Start navigation and then:
- Tap the Audio Control button on the map.
- Select Muted.
Apple also provides Audio Alerts Only if you’d rather hear important driving alerts without having every direction spoken aloud.
This can be handy when you’re listening to music, a podcast, or an audiobook and don’t want full spoken navigation interrupting the audio.
How to Turn On Voice Navigation in Apple Maps
If Maps isn’t speaking directions, check the Audio Control setting first.
- Open Maps.
- Enter your destination.
- Choose a route.
- Tap Go to begin navigation.
- Tap Audio Control.
- Make sure spoken directions aren’t muted.
Apple provides three main spoken-direction modes during navigation:
- Unmuted: all directions are spoken.
- Audio Alerts Only: only driving alerts are spoken.
- Muted: spoken directions are turned off.
If you still don’t hear anything, check the Maps settings under:
Settings → Apps → Maps → Spoken Directions
Apple also notes that turn-by-turn spoken directions require an internet connection and Precise Location to be enabled. Availability can vary by country or region.
Apple Maps Voice Not Changing? Try These Fixes
Changed the Siri voice but Maps still sounds the same? Work through these checks.
Check the selected Siri voice
Return to:
Settings → Siri or Apple Intelligence & Siri → Voice
Make sure the new voice is actually selected.
Start a new route
End the current navigation session and begin a new one. This gives Maps a fresh navigation session in which to use the updated voice.
Make sure Maps isn’t muted
During navigation, tap Audio Control and check that Muted isn’t selected.
If you want every direction spoken, choose Unmuted.
Check the Maps spoken-direction settings
Open:
Settings → Apps → Maps → Spoken Directions
Review the available voice-volume and spoken-audio settings.
Check your connection and location settings
Apple says turn-by-turn spoken directions require an internet connection and Precise Location.
If your connection or location information isn’t working correctly, navigation may not behave as expected.
Why Is Apple Maps Using a Different Voice Than I Expected?
There are several reasons the available voice options may differ from what you see in an online tutorial.
Apple’s voice choices depend on the selected language and the options supported on your iPhone. Older iOS versions can also have different menus from newer releases.
If a particular voice or accent isn’t listed under Siri → Voice, it may not be available for your current language or configuration.
That doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a problem with Apple Maps.
Can You Change Apple Maps Voice Without Changing Siri?
Not as a separate Maps-only voice setting on iPhone.
Apple’s current instructions place the voice and language controls for spoken Maps directions under Siri or Apple Intelligence & Siri.
That means changing the Siri voice also changes the voice Maps uses for spoken directions.
Maps does give you independent control over other audio behavior, including navigation volume, muting, and certain spoken-audio options.
Apple Maps Spoken Directions Settings You Should Know
The Maps settings include more than just voice volume.
Go to:
Settings → Apps → Maps → Spoken Directions
Depending on your device and available features, you can find settings such as:
Directions Pause Spoken Audio
When enabled, spoken audio such as podcasts and audiobooks can pause when Maps gives a spoken direction.
Directions Wake Device
This setting can wake the iPhone display when spoken directions are received during supported driving or cycling navigation.
Directions on Radio
On supported vehicles, this option allows spoken navigation directions to be heard while you’re listening to the radio.
These options don’t change the actual voice. They control how Maps delivers navigation audio.
How to Change Apple Maps Voice on CarPlay
If you use Apple Maps with CarPlay, start by changing the voice on the iPhone connected to your vehicle:
Settings → Siri or Apple Intelligence & Siri → Voice
Then launch Maps and begin navigation again.
If the voice is working but you can’t hear it properly, check the Maps spoken-direction settings and the audio controls available during navigation.
For supported vehicles, Apple also provides a Directions on Radio setting under Maps → Spoken Directions.
Does Apple Maps Have Male and Female Voices?
Apple doesn’t provide the same voice choices for every language, so the options you see depend on your selected Siri language and available voices.
If multiple voices are available, open:
Settings → Siri or Apple Intelligence & Siri → Voice
Listen to the previews and choose the option you prefer.
Rather than relying on labels such as “male” or “female,” it’s more accurate to select from the actual voices Apple makes available on your iPhone.
Does the Apple Maps Voice Work in Every Country?
Not necessarily.
Apple states that turn-by-turn spoken directions aren’t available in every country or region.
The voice and language options can also vary depending on your language and regional configuration.
So if a feature described in a tutorial isn’t appearing on your iPhone, check whether it is supported in your country or region before assuming something is wrong with your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change the voice on Apple Maps?
Open Settings → Siri or Apple Intelligence & Siri → Voice, choose an available voice, and then start a new route in Maps.
How do I change the voice on Apple Maps on iPhone?
The process is the same: open the Siri settings, select Voice, and choose another available option.
How do I change Apple Maps voice language?
Go to Settings → Siri or Apple Intelligence & Siri → Language and select another language. Apple says this also changes the language used for spoken Maps directions.
How do I change the Apple Maps accent?
Open Settings → Siri or Apple Intelligence & Siri → Voice and select from the voice options available for your chosen language.
Can I change Apple Maps to a British voice?
If a British English voice option is available for your Siri language and region, you can select it under Siri → Voice.
Can I change Apple Maps to a male voice?
Choose from the available voices under Siri → Voice. The options vary by language, so a particular type of voice may not be available in every configuration.
How do I make Apple Maps louder?
During navigation, tap Audio Control and choose Louder. You can also set the default spoken-direction volume under Settings → Apps → Maps → Spoken Directions.
How do I mute Apple Maps?
Start navigation, tap Audio Control, and select Muted. If you still want important driving alerts, choose Audio Alerts Only instead.
Why is Apple Maps not talking?
Check whether Maps is muted, then review Settings → Apps → Maps → Spoken Directions. Also make sure your iPhone has an internet connection and Precise Location is enabled, since Apple lists both as requirements for turn-by-turn spoken directions.
Does changing Siri voice change Apple Maps?
Yes. Apple directs users to the Siri voice setting when changing the voice used for spoken Maps directions.
Can I change the Apple Maps voice on iOS 15, 17, 18, or 26?
Yes, provided the relevant Maps and Siri features are supported on your device and region. The main difference between iOS releases is that Apple can change the name or organization of the Settings menus.
Does the iPhone model matter?
Usually, the iOS version matters more than whether you have an iPhone 13, 14, 15, 16, or 17. If the device supports the required Maps and Siri features, look for the Siri voice settings in Settings.
Final Answer
If you only need the quickest solution, here’s the setting to remember:
Change the Apple Maps voice:
Settings → Siri or Apple Intelligence & Siri → Voice
Change the Maps language:
Settings → Siri or Apple Intelligence & Siri → Language
Change navigation volume:
Settings → Apps → Maps → Spoken Directions → Voice Volume
Mute or unmute navigation:
Start a route → Audio Control → choose Unmuted, Audio Alerts Only, or Muted.
The important thing is that Apple separates voice and language selection from navigation audio controls. Once you know that distinction, changing the sound of Apple Maps is much easier.
Apple’s current documentation also notes that spoken turn-by-turn directions depend on internet connectivity and Precise Location and aren’t available in every country or region.