How to Change iPhone Map Voice

What You’ll Need

An iPhone with iOS 14 or later (the exact menu names may differ slightly by version)
Internet connection to download a new voice if you haven’t already

Step-by-Step

Open Settings – Tap the gray gear icon on your home screen or in your App Library.
Tap Siri & Search – Scroll down past the first few sections; it’s usually near the top third of the Settings list.
Tap Siri Voice – This is where you choose the voice that Siri uses, and Maps uses the same voice for turn-by-turn directions.
Choose a voice and accent – You’ll see options like American, Australian, British, Irish, or South African (for English). Pick a voice from the list, then tap a variation (e.g., “Voice 1” or “Voice 2”) to hear a preview.
Exit Settings – Your selection saves automatically. Open Maps and start a route to hear the new voice.

If you want a different voice only for Maps (not for Siri overall), that’s not possible in iOS. The Maps voice is tied to the Siri voice setting. You can, however, change the language used by Maps separately: go to Settings > Maps > Spoken Language and pick a language. That changes the language but not the voice itself.

Common Mistakes

Looking in the Maps app settings – Many people search inside the Maps app for a voice option, but it’s not there. The voice control lives in the system Settings under Siri & Search.
Choosing a voice but not an accent – Some voices have multiple variations. If you tap the main voice name only, you might get the default variation. Make sure to tap the specific variation you want.
Forgetting to check if the voice is downloaded – New voices may need to download over Wi-Fi. If you don’t see a preview, wait a moment or connect to Wi-Fi.
Confusing “Spoken Language” with “Voice” – Changing the language in Maps will change the language of directions, but not the voice. If you want a different voice, you must change the Siri voice.

Tips

Preview before you commit – Tap each voice variation to hear a sample sentence. This saves you from having to test it on a real drive.
Use a voice that’s easy to understand – For navigation, clarity matters more than style. Some voices are more natural, but a clear, slower voice might be better for driving.
Download voices for offline use – If you travel to areas with poor signal, download the voice you want while on Wi-Fi. Go to Settings > Siri & Search > Siri Voice, and tap the download icon next to the voice if available.
Adjust volume separately – You can change the volume of spoken directions by using the volume buttons during navigation, or in Settings > Maps > Navigation Voice Volume (choose Loud, Normal, or Low).

Troubleshooting

Maps still uses the old voice – First, make sure you’ve actually selected a variation, not just the main voice. Then restart the Maps app (swipe it away from the app switcher) and start a new route. If it still doesn’t change, restart your iPhone.
No voice at all in Maps – Check that your phone isn’t on silent or Do Not Disturb. Also, go to Settings > Maps > Spoken Directions and make sure it’s set to “On” or “Pause Spoken Audio” is not selected. You can also try toggling it off and on.
Voice download stuck – If a voice won’t download, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and find the Siri Voice entry, then delete it and try again. Or connect to a different Wi-Fi network.
Can’t find Siri Voice option – On some older iOS versions, it’s under Settings > Siri & Search > Voice Feedback, but the voice selection is still under Siri Voice. If you don’t see it, update your iOS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the Maps voice without changing Siri’s voice?

No, iOS uses the same voice for Siri and Maps. Changing the Siri voice will change the Maps voice too.

Why is there no voice option in the Maps app?

Apple doesn’t put a voice picker in Maps. You have to change it in Settings > Siri & Search > Siri Voice.

How do I change the language of Maps directions?

Go to Settings > Maps > Spoken Language and choose a language. This changes the language but not the voice.

Can I use a celebrity voice for Maps?

No, Apple only offers the built-in Siri voices. There’s no way to add custom or celebrity voices.

Why does Maps sometimes speak in a different voice?

If you have multiple languages enabled for Siri, Maps might use the voice that matches the language of the region you’re in. Check Settings > Siri & Search > Language to see which language is active.

Will changing the voice affect other apps?

Yes, the Siri voice is used by Siri, Maps, and other apps that use text-to-speech through Siri. It’s a system-wide setting.

Sources: Apple Support. Menus and buttons can differ slightly by version. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.