iOS 17 is a huge update with a range of new features and functionality, from Contact Posters and StandBy Mode to Personal Voice, a new accessibility option available to iPhone owners running the latest software.
A new accessibility option nestled within iOS 17, Personal Voice builds something akin to a replica of your voice and then allows you to send messages with it. While there may not be much use for it generally, it’s a game-changing feature for those who can’t easily communicate verbally, allowing them to use text-to-speech with a voice that resembles their own.
It’s certainly a unique addition and it’s also one of the more time-consuming iOS features to set up. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the Personal Voice setup process step-by-step.
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What you’ll need:
- An iPhone running iOS 17
The Short Version
- Unlock your iPhone
- Open Settings
- Tap on Accessibility
- Scroll down to Personal Voice and tap it
- Select Create Personal Voice
- Tap Continue
- Tap Continue, again
- Type in the name of your Personal Voice and tap Continue
- Begin reading the phrases
- Once completed, tap Continue
- Tap OK
- Charge and Lock your iPhone to begin generating your Personal Voice
Step
1Unlock your iPhone
To begin, unlock your iPhone running iOS 17.
Step
2Open Settings
Navigate to Settings. This is the app with the icon that looks like a cog.
Step
3Tap on Accessibility
Scroll down to the Accessibility option and tap it.
Step
4Scroll down to Personal Voice, tap it
Find the option called Personal Voice. Tap it.
Step
5Select Create Personal Voice
Next, select Create Personal Voice. You’ll see a number of pop-ups.
Step
6Tap Continue
This first screen describes the Personal Voice feature. If you want to keep on going, hit Continue.
Step
7Tap Continue, again
The next screen outlines some of the requirements, like being in a quiet room. Make sure you’re doing all three and hit Continue.
Step
8Select a name for your Personal Voice
If you want, you can choose a name for your Personal Voice.
Step
9Begin reading the phrases
The next is the long one. For the iPhone to generate your Personal Voice, you need to say 150 phrases, all of which range in length from a few words to a paragraph. You have to say each phrase as the phone records your voice. This part takes between 25-30 minutes.
Step
10Once completed, tap Continue
Once you’ve said the 150 phrases, a pop-up will tell you that you’ve finished recording. Tap Continue.
Step
11Tap OK
The next message will explain how the Personal Voice will be generated, tap OK.
Step
12Charge and Lock your iPhone to begin generating your Personal Voice
Once you’ve done all the phrases, the phone will begin generating your Personal Voice. This is done in the background when the phone is locked and charging and can take a few days. You’ll get an alert when it’s ready.
Troubleshooting
There are 150 phrases that need to be said in order for the Personal Voice to be generated.
Yes, the voice is generated on the iPhone itself and stored on the device.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
