How to Get AirPods to Read Text: Enabling Spoken Notifications for Hands-Free Reading

AirPods, Apple’s wireless earbuds, have evolved to become more than just a device for listening to music or making calls; they can also act as a personal assistant, reading out text messages for you. Utilizing Siri, the integrated voice assistant, your AirPods can audibly present your incoming messages, ensuring that you stay connected even when your hands are full or your phone is out of reach.

Setting up this function is straightforward, and once enabled, it offers a hands-free way to remain informed of incoming notifications and messages. Whether you’re on the move, working out, or in the middle of a task, having your AirPods read your texts can be a significant convenience, allowing you to multitask without needing to glance at your screen constantly.

Understanding AirPods’ Text-to-Speech Capabilities

Your AirPods are equipped with a convenient feature that utilizes Siri to read out messages directly into your ears. This text-to-speech capability ensures that you can listen to your messages hands-free, staying connected without the need to look at your device.

Compatibility:
To use this feature, your AirPods must be paired with an iPhone or iPad running iOS 13 or later.

Activate ‘Announce Messages with Siri‘:

• Connect your AirPods to your iOS device.
• Go to Settings > Notifications.
• Select Announce Messages with Siri.
• Toggle on the switch to activate the feature.

How It Works:
Once enabled, when you receive a text message, Siri will alert you with a soft chime before reading the message’s content. If your AirPods are of the:

• 2nd generation, say “Stop” or “Cancel,” or double-tap an AirPod to halt Siri.
• 3rd generation and AirPods Pro (1st generation), press the force sensor on your AirPods to manage playback.
• AirPods Pro (2nd generation), use the touch control.
• AirPods Max, press the noise control button.

Reading Messages from Different Apps:
Apple’s Announce Messages with Siri isn’t limited to text messages; it can also read messages from other supported apps—granting you a seamless auditory experience across various communication platforms.

Enabling Announce Messages with Siri

With Siri’s Announce Messages feature, your AirPods can read your incoming messages automatically. This guide walks you through the necessary steps to enable and use this functionality efficiently.

Compatibility Requirements

Before you begin, ensure that your AirPods and iOS device meet the required compatibility criteria. The feature is supported on:

• AirPods (2nd generation and later)
• AirPods Pro
• AirPods Max
• iOS devices running iOS 13.2 or later

Additionally, your AirPods must be paired and connected to your iPhone or iPad.

Activating Siri for Announcements

To activate the feature, follow these steps:

1. Pair your AirPods with your iPhone or iPad.
2. Go to Settings > Siri & Search.
3. Make sure Listen for “Hey Siri” is turned on.

Configuring Notifications Settings

Once Siri is active, adjust your notification settings:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap on Notifications.
3. Select Announce Messages with Siri.
4. Toggle the switch on.

Now, with these settings configured, Siri will announce your incoming messages when your AirPods are connected and your device’s screen is locked.

Using AirPods to Read Texts

Apple’s AirPods can seamlessly communicate with your iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch, allowing you to have your texts read out to you hands-free.

Receiving a Message

When a text message arrives while you’re wearing your AirPods, Siri can announce the message. For this feature to work, your device must be running iOS 13.2 or later. You can manage this functionality in your Settings app under Notifications > Announce Messages with Siri. Here you have the option to toggle this feature on or off as per your preference.

Listening and Responding to Texts

Once the message is announced, you can instantly reply without touching your iPhone. After Siri reads out the text, you’ll hear a tone, and then you can say your response. Siri will send this reply as a text message. If you wish to stop Siri from reading messages, simply say “Stop” or “Cancel.” Depending on your AirPods model, you might also control this interaction by double-tapping your AirPods (2nd generation) or pressing the force sensor on AirPods Pro.

Customizing Text-to-Speech Options on AirPods

To have Siri read your texts through AirPods, you must first enable the ‘Announce Messages with Siri’ feature. Here’s how you can tailor your text-to-speech experience.

Adjusting Siri’s Reading Speed

• To adjust Siri’s reading speed for Announce Messages:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down and select Siri & Search.
  3. Tap on Siri Voice.
  4. Choose a different Variety or Gender; Siri’s reading speed varies slightly between voices.

Remember, Siri’s settings are global; changing the voice affects all Siri interactions across your devices.

Selecting Which Contacts Siri Reads Messages From

• To select from which contacts Siri announces messages:

  1. Go to the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Navigate to Notifications and tap on Announce Messages with Siri.
  3. Tap Messages and set your preferences under the Announce Messages From section.

Here you can choose to have Siri announce messages from favorites, all contacts, recent contacts, or everyone. This helps you stay connected on-the-go by listening to messages from selected individuals.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

When your AirPods aren’t reading text messages as expected, it might be due to connectivity issues or settings related to announce messages feature not being configured correctly.

Resolving Connectivity Problems

Ensure Proper Pairing:

• Place your AirPods back into the charging case.
• Press and hold the setup button on the case for 15 seconds until the LED flashes orange and then white.
• Open the case next to your device to reconnect.

Check Bluetooth Settings:

• Go to Settings > Bluetooth.
• Find your AirPods in the list and tap the “i” icon next to them.
• Ensure that they are connected and check for any custom settings that might affect functionality.

Fixing Announce Messages Not Working

Verify Siri Settings:

• Go to Settings > Notifications > Announce Notifications.
• Ensure Announce Notifications is toggled on.

Check Device State:

• Your iPhone or iPad should be locked with the screen off as Siri won’t announce messages when you are using your device.

If issues persist after following these steps, consider resetting your AirPods, then try setting them up again with your device.

Optimizing AirPods Experience

To enhance your AirPods’ functionality and performance when reading texts, focus on two key areas: maintaining battery life and updating firmware.

Maintaining AirPods Battery Life

• Charge Regularly: Place your AirPods in the charging case when not in use to keep them charged.
• Optimize Settings: Minimize battery drain by reducing the volume and disabling features when not needed.

Ensuring Latest Firmware Updates

• Check Updates Manually: Place your AirPods close to your iPhone and go to Settings > General > About > AirPods to view the current firmware version.
• Automatic Updates: Keep your AirPods in their case, connected to an iOS device, and near the device overnight. This setup encourages automatic updates when available.