Guide
Mac reading everything out loud? How to stop it
Your Mac suddenly narrates every click, menu or keystroke. One of a few settings got turned on. Here's how to turn it off.
Updated 22 October 2026.
Short answerPress Command-F5 to turn VoiceOver off (or System Settings → Accessibility → VoiceOver). If it still talks, open System Settings → Accessibility → Read & Speak (Spoken Content on macOS 14 and 15) and turn off Speak item under the pointer, Speak typing feedback and Speak announcements. To stop speech that's already going, press the Speak selection shortcut again or choose Edit → Speech → Stop Speaking.
The free built-in fix
- Turn off VoiceOver. Press Command-F5, or System Settings → Accessibility → VoiceOver → off.
- Turn off pointer speech. System Settings → Accessibility → Read & Speak (called Spoken Content on macOS 14 and 15) → Speak item under the pointer → off.
- Turn off typing feedback. Speak typing feedback → off.
- Turn off announcements. Speak announcements → off, if alerts are being read.
- Stop current speech. Press Option-Esc again or Edit → Speech → Stop Speaking.
The better fix: Aloud
If the built-in tools keep getting in your way, Aloud (ours, $19 once per Mac, macOS 14 or later) is made for this:
- Reads only what you ask: a selection, PDF, screen area or article.
- You control it from a notch reader or floating player.
Buy Aloud, $19 once Launch offer: code LAUNCH25 takes 25% off until Oct 31. 3-day free trial, no card or account.
Questions
How do I turn off the voice on my Mac?
Press Command-F5 for VoiceOver, then turn off the speech options in Read & Speak.
Why does my Mac read whatever my mouse is over?
Speak item under the pointer is on.
How do I stop my Mac reading what I type?
Turn off Speak typing feedback.
How do I turn off VoiceOver quickly?
Command-F5.
More Mac utilities from the developer: SnapState puts your Mac windows, apps and browser tabs back after sleep or a monitor reconnect. $9.99 one-time.