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Mac text-to-speech is good tool for many people who need help read screen, like person with vision problem. But sometimes, it turn on by accident, or you don’t want Mac to keep talking all time. It can be annoying, especially if you no know how it turn on. This tells you step by step how to turn off Mac text to speech easy, even if you use new macOS Ventura, Sonoma, or older version.

Reason to Turn Off Mac Text to Speech

Mac text to speech reads what on screen, like messages, menus, or selected words. It useful for accessibility, but not everyone want it on. Maybe it start talking at wrong time, like in meeting or quiet place. Or maybe you press shortcut by mistake and it start reading text. Some people also no like computer voice sound. That’s why many want to know how to turn off Mac text to speech and stop unwanted voice speak.

Method 1: Use System Settings to Turn It Off

This first method is good for all Mac users. Newer macOS like Ventura or Sonoma have “System Settings” instead of “System Preferences.”

• Click Apple logo in top-left corner of screen.
• Choose System Settings (for new Mac) or System Preferences (for old Mac).
• Go to Accessibility section.
• Click Spoken Content or Speech.
• Find option say “Speak selection”, “Speak items under pointer,” or “Speak typing feedback.”
• Turn off all switches.

This stop Mac from reading when you select text, move cursor, or type words.

Method 2: Turn Off Voice Notification Announce

Sometimes Mac not reading screen, but it talking when notification come, like iMessage or reminder.

• Open System Settings again.
• Go to Notifications.
• Scroll down to Announce Notifications.
• Turn switch off.

Also:

• Go back to Accessibility.
• Under Spoken Content, turn off “Announce notifications” if you see.

Now Mac not talk when new alert or message pop up.

Method 3: Remove or Change Keyboard Shortcut

Many time, people turn on text to speech by pressing shortcut keys. Default shortcut is Option + Esc. If you hit that, it start reading selected text.

To fix that:

• Go to System Settings > Keyboard.
• Click Keyboard Shortcuts.
• Choose Accessibility from left list.
• Look for “Speak selected text when key is pressed.”
• You can uncheck it or click and change to other keys you not use.

This help avoid mistake in future.

What to Do If It Still Talks?
Sometimes, even after you turn off settings, Mac keep talking. Here what to try:

• Restart your Mac – this refresh system and apply settings.
• Check individual apps – some apps have own text-to-speech feature, like PDF reader or browser extensions.
• Reset Accessibility Settings – go to Accessibility and reset to default.
• Create New User Profile – sometimes old settings stay in profile. New one might help.

Final Words

Now you know how to turn off Mac text to speech the easy way. There are ways to stop voice from settings, from notifications, and from shortcut keys. After following any of it, your Mac stay quiet unless you want it talk so more random voice interrupting again.