How to Turn Off VoiceOver on Mac

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

1. Press Command + F5 to toggle VoiceOver on or off.

   

2. Press Command + Option + F5 to temporarily disable VoiceOver while holding down the keys.

Using the Menu Bar

1. Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen.
2. Select “System Preferences.”
3. Click “Accessibility.”
4. Click “VoiceOver.”
5. Uncheck the “Enable VoiceOver” checkbox.

Using Siri

1. Press Command + Space to activate Siri.
2. Say “Turn off VoiceOver.”
3. Siri will turn off VoiceOver for you.

Additional Settings

1. Change VoiceOver Speech Rate: Click the Apple menu and select “System Preferences.” Then, click “Accessibility” and “Speech.” Adjust the “Speaking Rate” slider to set the desired speed.

   

2. Change VoiceOver Volume: Go to “System Preferences” and select “Sound.” Click the “Output” tab and adjust the “Volume” slider next to “VoiceOver.”

   

3. Disable Speech in Specific Apps: Open the VoiceOver utility from “System Preferences” and select the “Speech” tab. Uncheck the “Speak in applications” checkbox for any apps where you don’t want VoiceOver to read text aloud.

Troubleshooting

If you’re having trouble turning off VoiceOver, try the following:

1. Restart Your Mac: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve VoiceOver issues.
2. Check Keyboard Shortcuts: Ensure that the Command and Option keys are working properly.
3. Reset VoiceOver Settings: Go to “System Preferences” and select “Accessibility.” Click “Reset” next to “VoiceOver.”
4. Contact Apple Support: If the above steps don’t work, visit the Apple Support website or call Apple for assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I temporarily disable VoiceOver without turning it off completely?
   – Press Command + Option + F5 to temporarily disable VoiceOver.

   

2. Can I change the voice that VoiceOver uses?
   – Yes, you can change the voice from “System Preferences” > “Accessibility” > “VoiceOver” > “Speech.”

   

3. How do I turn on VoiceOver gestures?
   – Go to “System Preferences” > “Accessibility” > “VoiceOver” and check the “Enable VoiceOver gestures” checkbox.

4. How do I turn off VoiceOver on a MacBook Pro with Touch Bar?
   – Press the “Esc” key on the Touch Bar.

5. Can I use VoiceOver to control my iPhone or iPad?
   – Yes, you can use VoiceOver on iOS devices by enabling it in the Accessibility settings.

6. How do I turn off VoiceOver on a Mac without a keyboard?
   – Use Siri to turn off VoiceOver by saying “Turn off VoiceOver.”

7. Can I disable the VoiceOver shortcut key to prevent accidental activation?
   – Yes, go to “System Preferences” > “Accessibility” > “VoiceOver” and click the “Options” button to disable the shortcut key.

8. How do I know if VoiceOver is turned off?
   – When VoiceOver is off, there will be no spoken text or audio feedback from the screen.