Android devices have numerous features and settings that offer great convenience to their users. One of the most useful features is text-to-speech. Being able to listen to text and descriptions can make it easier for those who have visual impairments, or for anyone who prefers listening to information over reading it. Some Android users may not know that their device has a text-to-speech feature, or how to activate it. With this blog, we aim to provide a comprehensive guide that will help users activate and use text-to-speech effectively.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Activate Text-to-Speech on Your Android Device
There are numerous benefits of using text-to-speech on an Android device. Here are a few reasons why you need to activate this feature:
Method 1: Using the Accessibility Settings
Android devices come with an Accessibility menu that houses assistive features like text-to-speech. You can activate this feature via the Accessibility settings by following these simple steps:
Step 1: Open the ‘Settings’ app on your Android device.
Step 2: Scroll down to ‘Accessibility’ and tap on it.
Step 3: Scroll down to ‘Text-to-speech output’ and tap on it.
Step 4: Toggle on the ‘Google Text-to-speech Engine’ option.
Step 5: You can also customize the settings for the text-to-speech feature by tapping on the gear icon next to the ‘Google Text-to-speech Engine’ option.
Pros: This method is quick and easy to follow. You can also customize the text-to-speech settings to your liking.
Cons: Some Android devices may not use the Google Text-to-speech Engine. In that case, you will have to use another text-to-speech engine which may not be as accurate.
Method 2: Using Google Assistant
Google Assistant is another built-in feature on Android devices that can be used for various tasks, including activating text-to-speech. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Launch Google Assistant on your device by saying “Hey Google”.
Step 2: Give a voice command to open the text that needs to be read aloud.
Step 3: Tap the microphone icon on the right to enable speech recognition.
Step 4: If speech recognition is enabled, Google Assistant will identify and verify the text.
Step 5: At the bottom of the screen, tap the display icon to enable Google Assistant to read the text.
Pros: Using Google Assistant makes it easy to listen to text available on screen. The feature doesn’t require any advanced settings and is great for people who prefer voice commands.
Cons: Google Assistant may not always be able to recognize speech with 100% accuracy.
Method 3: Using a Third-Party App
If you’re looking for something more powerful than the built-in text-to-speech feature, you can use a third-party app. There are several text-to-speech apps available for Android devices on the Google Play Store. One of the most popular apps is the Google Text-to-speech app. Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Go to the ‘Google Play Store’ on your Android device.
Step 2: Search for a text-to-speech app.
Step 3: Install the app of your choice.
Step 4: Launch the app and grant it all necessary permissions.
Step 5: Once the app is set up, you can use it to listen to text by copying and pasting it into the relevant field in the app.
Pros: Third-party apps can offer more customization options and accurate speech recognition.
Cons: Some third-party apps might not be free, while others may have limited features unless you pay for a full version. The app may also require additional settings to work correctly.
What to Do If You Can’t Activate Text-to-Speech on Your Android Device
Not all Android devices can activate text-to-speech via the methods listed above. If you can’t activate text-to-speech on your device via the methods listed above, here are some workarounds:
Q1: How Can I Troubleshoot Text-to-Speech on Android Devices?
A: You can troubleshoot text-to-speech on Android devices by checking if the app is updated, checking device settings, and ensuring that there are no compatibility issues with the app.
Q2: Can I Change the Gender of a Text-to-Speech Engine?
A: Yes, you can change the gender of a text-to-speech engine by going to the ‘Settings’ app, selecting the ‘Accessibility’ section and then choosing ‘Text-to-speech output.’ From there, you can adjust the gender settings based on your preference.
Q3: How Accurate is Text-to-Speech on Android Devices?
A: The accuracy of text-to-speech on Android devices depends on the quality of the app and the engine used. Some apps and engines provide more accurate results than others.
Q4: Can I Activate Text-to-Speech for Specific Apps Only?
A: Yes, you can activate text-to-speech for specific apps only by going to the navigate to the ‘Settings’ app on your device, then going into ‘Accessibility’, ‘Text-to-speech output’, and selecting the ‘Preferred engine.’ From this menu, you can choose specific apps to activate text-to-speech for.
Q5: Can I Customize the Voice Settings for Text-to-Speech on Android Devices?
A: Yes, you can customize the voice settings of text-to-speech on Android devices by going into ‘Accessibility’, selecting ‘Text-to-speech output’, and then adjusting the settings to your preferred voice.
Bonus Tip
Try changing the speed of the text-to-speech engine to ensure that the feature is working properly. You can adjust the speed settings by going into the ‘Accessibility’ settings and adjusting the speech rate.
Final Thoughts
Activating and using text-to-speech on your Android device is a powerful tool that can provide convenience and accessibility. Whether you opt to use a built-in feature, a third-party app, or a combination of both, this guide can help you get started. Explore the different options and configurations to find the one that works best for you, and enjoy the benefits of text-to-speech on your Android device.