Utilizing Voice Control on Apple devices enables users to operate their Mac or iPhone exclusively through verbal commands.
Apple Introduces Voice Control: A Game-Changer in Accessibility
At the Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) earlier this week, Apple announced Voice Control, a groundbreaking accessibility feature that enables users to operate their devices entirely through voice commands across macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. This innovative technology is set to revolutionize the way people with motor impairments interact with their devices, and it underscores Apple's ongoing commitment to making technology more accessible.
With Voice Control, users can control the interface, dictate text, and navigate apps by spoken commands, providing hands-free device operation. The feature is designed to work seamlessly with Siri speech recognition technology, which is already built into Apple devices.
The potential of Voice Control to act as a great equalizer for millions of people is emphasized in the announcement. It is not just a feature for controlling devices, but also a tool for enhancing independence and autonomy for many users.
Apple's Voice Control works by using speech recognition to execute commands and dictate text across Mac, iPhone, and iPad. The latest OS updates, including iOS 18, macOS Sequoia, and iPadOS 26, integrate advanced voice features and system-wide accessibility improvements.
As of mid-2025, these versions are publicly available or in public beta. While a dedicated "Voice Control" setting may not be explicitly detailed, related voice and accessibility enhancements enable robust voice interactions. For instance, on iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia, users benefit from Siri improvements and voice isolation features to improve voice control accuracy. iPadOS 26 and iOS 18 include voice isolation and audio recording tools that aid clearer voice command recognition.
Accessibility Reader on iPhone, iPad, and Mac facilitates reading aloud text from any app, improving accessibility for voice-based navigation and usage. These advancements suggest that the most current voice control capabilities are available now within these versions but may still be evolving.
The announcement of Voice Control's availability in the fall marks a significant development in Apple's commitment to accessibility. Apple claims that the feature ensures personal data privacy, and it is designed to provide increased autonomy for individuals with motor impairments. The potential of Voice Control to empower and include diverse user groups highlights technology's potential to create a more inclusive digital world.
Gizmodo's upcoming tech review could delve into Apple's Voice Control feature, a significant advancement in accessibility technology set for release this fall. As part of the tech landscape's future, Voice Control promises to revolutionize interactions with devices for millions of people, potentially acting as a great equalizer and fostering a more inclusive digital world.