Call our helpline
0300 180 0028When combining Vocal Shortcuts with custom shortcuts created in the Shortcuts app, users can perform complicated multi-step actions using a single phrase.
To learn more about creating custom shortcuts, see Apple's Shortcuts User Guide.
Short guide:
- Open the Settings app
and tap Accessibility. - Tap Vocal Shortcuts.
- Tap Set Up Vocal Shortcuts.
- Tap Continue on the intro screen.
- Choose an action.
- Enter the phrase you want to use to run this action, then tap Go on the keyboard.
- Say the phrase three times to teach your device to recognise it.
- Click Continue to finish, or tap Add Another to add another vocal shortcut.
- To use Vocal Shortcuts, speak a phrase to perform the action associated with it.
Before and after
This section gives you step by step instructions on how to enable vocal shortcuts in iOS 18, with pictures of the screens to help.
Find the Accessibility settings
1. Tap the Settings icon on your Home screen to open the Settings app. Scroll down and tap Accessibility.
Open the Vocal Shortcuts settings
2. On the Accessibility screen, tap Vocal Shortcuts.
Add your first vocal shortcut
3. On the next screen, tap Set Up Vocal Shortcuts.
Chose an action for Vocal Shortcuts to perform
4. First, tap the Continue button on the Vocal Shortcuts intro screen.
5. Next, choose an action from the list. You can use Vocal Shortcuts to perform Siri requests, app shortcuts, iOS system actions, and accessibility features.
Add the phrase you would like to use to perform the action
6. Type the phrase you would like to use to perform this action, then tap go on the keyboard.
Teach your device to recognise this phrase
7. When prompted, speak your phrase three times to teach your device to recognise it.
Finish or add another shortcut
8. If you only want to add one shortcut, tap the Continue button to finish. If you'd like to add more shortcuts, tap Add Another.
Add more vocal shortcuts
9. You can add more shortcuts at any time. Just click Add Action on the main Vocal Shortcuts page and repeat the same process.
Delete a shortcut
10. Tap Edit in the top-right corner.
11. Next, tap the delete icon next to the action you want to remove. Then tap the Delete button to the right of the action to confirm.
Return to the Home screen
12. You can return to the Home screen by swiping up from the bottom of the screen.
Using your vocal shortcuts
13. When Vocal Shortcuts is on, your device will listen for your phrases. When you are near your device, simply speak one of your phrases to perform the action associated with it.
Need some more help?
Call our helpline 0300 180 0028 or email enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk
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