Everything you can do with Voice Control on iPhone and iPad

iPhone X Voice Control iOS 13
iPhone X Voice Control iOS 13 (Image credit: Luke Filipowicz / iMore)

Voice Control is a new accessibility feature coming to iOS 13 that lets you speak commands to your iPhone or iPad to do just about anything. From launching apps, adjusting volume, editing text, rebooting your iPhone or iPad, and many more commands, you can do it all with just your voice in iOS 13. Here's every command you can use with Voice Control.

Apple occasionally offers updates to iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS as closed developer previews or public betas. While the betas contain new features, they also contain pre-release bugs that can prevent the normal use of your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, or Mac, and are not intended for everyday use on a primary device. That's why we strongly recommend staying away from developer previews unless you need them for software development, and using the public betas with caution. If you depend on your devices, wait for the final release.

What's new in Voice Control in iOS 14

While iOS 14 is still brand new (and only available via the developer beta right now), there are a few new goodies with Voice Control in iOS and iPadOS. There are a few new commands, which we've included in the list below. Any new commands will be labeled with an asterisk to denote they are new to the iOS 14 beta.

Basic Navigation

When it comes to navigating your iPhone or iPad, these commands will help you get around to different screens and apps and help you go through menus and lists.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
CommandAction
Open App SwitcherOpens App Switcher from any screen
Open Control CenterOpens Control Center from any screen
Open Notification CenterOpens Notification Center from any screen
Open SpotlightOpens Spotlight from any screen
Open SiriOpens Siri from any screen
Open {application name}Launches the desired app from any screen
Go HomeReturn to Home screen from any screen
Go BackGo back to the previous screen
Tap {item name}Taps the desired item
Show me what to sayBrings up hints of what commands to use
Show CommandsLaunches Voice Control settings
Show VocabularyOpens vocabulary in Voice Control settings
Search for {phrase}Searches via spotlight for desired phrase
Search web for {phrase}Searches in Google via Safari for the desired phrase
Go to sleepDisables Voice Control temporarily
Go to sleep iPhone *Disables Voice Control temporarily on your iPhone
Wake UpEnables Voice Control from sleeping
Wake Up iPhone *Enables Voice Control from sleeping on iPhone
Repeat {count} timesRepeat previous commands the selected number of times
Make this speakableOpens create New Command
Start Recording CommandsBegins to records commands
Stop recording CommandsStop recording commands

Overlays

Overlays label the actionable items on the screen with numbers, names, or even a grid so its easier to identify the item on the screen you want to interact with.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
CommandAction
Show numbersLabels actionable items with numbers
Show numbers continuouslyLabels actionable items with numbers until hidden
Hide numbersRemoves numbers over actionable items
Show namesLabels actionable items with names
Show names continuouslyLabels actionable items with names until hidden
Hide namesRemoves names over actionable items
Show gridLabels screen in a numbered grid
Show grid with {count} columnsLabels screen in numbered grid with desired number of columns
Show grid with {count} rowsLabels screen in numbered grid with desired number of rows
Show grid with {count} columns and {count} rowsLabels screen in numbered grid with desired number of columns and rows
Show grid continuouslyLabels screen in a numbered grid until hidden
Show grid continuously with {count} columnsLabels screen in numbered grid with desired number of columns until hidden
Show grid continuously with {count} rowsLabels screen in numbered grid with desired number of rows until hidden
Show grid continuously with {count} columns and {count} rowsLabels screen in numbered grid with desired number of columns and rows until hidden
Hide gridRemoves numbered grid from screen
Tap {number}Taps number provided by labels
Choose {number}Selects number provided by labels
{Number}Taps number provided by labels
Show actions for {item name}Shows available actions for desired item
Show actions for {number}Shows available actions for desired number

Basic Gestures

These are commands that can help you input gestures as if you were swiping your fingers, and can accomplish a ton of different tasks.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
CommandAction
Scroll downScrolls down page a little bit
Scroll upScrolls up page a little bit
Scroll to bottomScrolls to bottom of the page
Scroll to topScrolls to top of the page
Scroll leftScrolls left on page a little bit
Scroll rightScrolls right on page a little bit
Scroll to left edgeScrolls all the way left on page
Scroll to right edgeScrolls all the way right on page
Zoom inZoom out on page
Zoom in {item name}Zoom out on desired item
Zoom in {number}Zoom out on desired number
Zoom outZoom in on page
Zoom out {item name}Zoom in on desired item
Zoom out {number}Zoom in on desired number
Decrement {item name}Descreases desired item by one
Decrement {item name} by {count}Descreases desired item by count
Decrement {number}Descreases desired number by one
Decrement {number} by {count}Descreases desired number by count
Increment {item name}Increases desired item by one
Increment {item name} by {count}Increases desired item by count
Increment {number}Increases desired number by one
Increment {number} by {count}Increases desired number by count
Single TapTaps screen once
Double TapTaps screen twice
Double Tap {item name}Taps twice on desired item
Double tap {number}Taps twice on desired number
Long PressLong press on screen
Long Press {item name}Long press on desired item
Long Press {number}Long press on desired number
Pan downSlowly scroll down a little bit
Pan down {item name}Slowly scroll down on desired item
Pan down {number}Slowly scroll down on number
Pan upSlowly scroll down a little bit
Pan up {item name}Slowly scroll up on desired item
Pan up {number}Slowly scroll up on number
Pan leftSlowly scroll left
Pan left {item name}Slowly scroll left on desired item
Pan left {number}Slowly scroll left on number
Pan rightSlowly scroll right
Pan right {item name}Slowly scroll right on desired item
Pan right {number}Slowly scroll right on number
Rotate leftRotate left on screen
Rotate left {item name}Rotate left on desired item
Rotate left {number}Rotate left on number
Rotate rightRotate right on screen
Rotate right {item name}Rotate right on desired item
Rotate right {number}Rotate right on number
Swipe downSwipe down on screen
Swipe down {item name}Swipe down on desired item
Swipe down {number}Swipe down on number
Swipe upSwipe up on screen
Swipe up {item name}Swipe up on desired item
Swipe up {number}Swipe up on number
Swipe leftSwipe left on screen
Swipe left {item name}Swipe left on desired item
Swipe left {number}Swipe left on number
Swipe rightSwipe right on screen
Swipe right {item name}Swipe right on desired item
Swipe right {number}Swipe right on number
Two finger tapTap with two fingers on screen
Two finger tap {item name}Tap with two fingers desired item
Two finger tap {number}Tap with two fingers number
Two finger double tapDouble tap with two fingers on screen
Two finger double tap {item name}Double tap with two fingers desired item
Two finger double tap {number}Double tap with two fingers number
Two finger long PressLong press on screen with two fingers
Two finger long Press {item name}Long press on desired item with two fingers
Two finger long Press {number}Long press on desired number with two fingers
Two finger pan downSlowly scroll down a little bit with two fingers
Two finger pan down {item name}Slowly scroll down on desired item with two fingers
Two finger pan down {number}Slowly scroll down on number with two fingers
Two finger pan upSlowly scroll down a little bit with two fingers
Two finger pan up {item name}Slowly scroll up on desired item with two fingers
Two finger pan up {number}Slowly scroll up on number with two fingers
Two finger pan leftSlowly scroll left with two fingers
Two finger pan left {item name}Slowly scroll left on desired item with two fingers
Two finger pan left {number}Slowly scroll left on number with two fingers
Two finger pan rightSlowly scroll right with two fingers
Two finger pan right {item name}Slowly scroll right on desired item with two fingers
Two finger pan right {number}Slowly scroll right on number with two fingers
Two finger swipe downSwipe down on screen with two fingers
Two finger swipe down {item name}Swipe down on desired item with two fingers
Two finger swipe down {number}Swipe down on number with two fingers
Two finger swipe upSwipe up on screen with two fingers
Two finger swipe up {item name}Swipe up on desired item with two fingers
Two finger swipe up {number}Swipe up on number with two fingers
Two finger swipe leftSwipe left on screen with two fingers
Two finger swipe left {item name}Swipe left on desired item with two fingers
Two finger swipe left {number}Swipe left on number with two fingers
Two finger swipe rightSwipe right on screen with two fingers
Two finger swipe right {item name}Swipe right on desired item with two fingers
Two finger swipe right {number}Swipe right on number with two fingers

Advanced Gestures

Some of the more complicated gestures your iPhone or iPad can also be performed using Voice Control.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
CommandAction
Drag from {number} to {number}Drag item from desired number to desired number
Start drag {item name}Start drag on desired item
Start drag {number}Strat drag on desired number
Drop {item name}Drop desired item
Drop {number}Drop desired number
Tap and hold {item name}Tap and hold on desired item
Tap and hold {number}Tap and hold on desired number
3D Touch {item name}3D Touch on desired item
3D Touch {number}3D Touch on desired number
Cancel gestureCancels current gesture

Dictation

Of course, Voice Control can help you type in any sort of message field. You can even insert emoji and the date into conversation easily.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
CommandAction
{phrase}Types desired phrase into a text field
{phrase} emojiTypes desire emoji into text field
Type {phrase}Types desire emoji into text field
Insert dateEnters the current date into text field
Enter thatTaps return
Add to vocabularyAdds word to the dictionary
Dictation ModeTurns on dictation mode

Text Navigation

If you're writing long-form — a note, email, etc. — you can navigate around your text by using these commands.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
CommandAction
Move downMoves cursor down a line
Move upMoves cursor up a line
Move leftMoves cursor left one character
Move rightMoves cursor right one character
Move to beginningMoves cursor to beginning of text
Move to endMoves cursor to end of text
Move to beginning of wordMoves cursor to beginning of current word
Move to end of wordMoves cursor to end of current word
Move to beginning of sentenceMoves cursor to beginning of current sentence
Move to end of sentenceMoves cursor to end of current sentence
Move to beginning of paragraphMoves cursor to beginning of current paragraph
Move to end of paragraphMoves cursor to end of current paragraph
Move to beginning of lineMoves cursor to beginning of current line
Move to end of lineMoves cursor to end of current line
Move to beginning of selectionMoves cursor to beginning of current selection
Move to end of selectionMoves cursor to end of current selection
Move forward {count} charactersMoves cursor forward desired number of characters
Move back {count} charactersMoves cursor back desired number of characters
Move forward {count} wordsMoves cursor forward desired number of words
Move back {count} wordsMoves cursor back desired number of words
Move forward {count} sentencesMoves cursor forward desired number of sentences
Move back {count} sentencesMoves cursor back desired number of sentences
Move forward {count} paragraphsMoves cursor forward desired number of paragraphs
Move back {count} paragraphsMoves cursor back desired number of paragraphs
Move forward {count} linesMoves cursor forward desired number of lines
Move back {count} linesMoves cursor back desired number of lines
Move forward {count} linesMoves cursor forward desired number of lines
Move back {count} linesMoves cursor back desired number of lines
Move before {phrase}Moves cursor before chosen phrase
Move after {phrase}Moves cursor after chosen phrase

Text Selection

If you're trying to select words and or phrases in your text, emails, notes, or another form of writing on your iPhone and iPad, these are the commands that will help you out.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
CommandAction
Select allSelects all text
Select {phrase}Selects desired phrase
Select {phrase} through {phrase}Selects all text between the given phrases
Select {phrase} emojiSelects desired emoji
Select previousSelects previous instance of word or phrase
Select nextSelects next instance of word or phrase
Select characterSelects current character
Select previous characterSelects previous character
Select next characterSelects next character
Select wordSelects current word
Select previous wordSelects previous word
Select next wordSelects next word
Select sentenceSelects current sentence
Select previous sentenceSelects previous sentence
Select next sentenceSelects next sentence
Select paragraphSelects current paragraph
Select previous paragraphSelects previous paragraph
Select next sentenceSelects next paragraph
Select lineSelects current line
Select previous lineSelects previous line
Select next lineSelects next line
Select previous {count} charactersSelects the previously chosen amount of characters
Select next {count} charactersSelects the next chosen amount of characters
Select previous {count} wordsSelects the previously chosen amount of words
Select next {count} wordsSelects the next chosen amount of words
Select previous {count} sentencesSelects the previously chosen amount of sentences
Select next {count} sentencesSelects the next chosen amount of sentences
Select previous {count} paragraphsSelects the previously chosen amount of paragraphs
Select next {count} paragraphsSelects the next chosen amount of paragraphs
Select previous {count} linesSelects the previously chosen amount of lines
Select next {count} linesSelects the next chosen amount of lines
Extend selection {count} charactersExtends selection forward by chosen amount of characters
Extend selection back {count} charactersExtends selection back by chosen amount of characters
Extend selection {count} wordsExtends selection forward by chosen amount of words
Extend selection back {count} wordsExtends selection back by chosen amount of words
Extend selection {count} sentencesExtends selection forward by chosen amount of sentences
Extend selection back {count} sentencesExtends selection back by chosen amount of sentences
Extend selection {count} paragraphsExtends selection forward by chosen amount of paragraphs
Extend selection back {count} paragraphsExtends selection back by chosen amount of paragraphs
Extend selection {count} linesExtends selection forward by chosen amount of lines
Extend selection back {count} linesExtends selection back by chosen amount of lines
Deselect thatDeselect current selection

Text Editing

Copying, pasting, cutting, and replacing text are just some of the text editing options Voice Control can help you out with.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
CommandAction
Replace {phrase} with {phrase}Replaces phrase with new desired phrase
Insert {phrase} before {phrase}Inserts desired phrase before a phrase
Insert {phrase} after {phrase}Inserts desired phrase after a phrase
Correct thatCorrects current selection
Correct {phrase}Corrects desired phrase
Undo thatUndo last input
Redo thatRedo last Undo action
Cut thatCut current selection
Copy thatCopy current selection
Paste thatPaste from clipboard
Capitalize thatCapitalize current selection
Capitalize {phrase}Capitalize desired phrase
Lowercase thatLowercase current selection
Lowercase {phrase}Lowercase desired phrase
Uppercase thatUppercase current selection
Uppercase {phrase}Uppercase desired phrase
Bold thatBold current selection
Bold {phrase}Bold desired phrase
Italicize thatItalicize current selection
Italicize {phrase}Italicize desired phrase
Underline thatUnderline current selection
Underline {phrase}Underline desired phrase

Text Deletion

If you ever need to delete a word, sentences, paragraph, or any other part of your writing, these are the Voice Control commands you can use.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
CommandAction
Delete thatDelete current selection
Delete allDelete all text
Delete {phrase}Delete desired phrase
Delete characterDeletes current character
Delete previous characterDeletes previous character
Delete next characterDeletes next character
Delete wordDeletes current word
Delete previous wordDeletes previous word
Delete next wordDeletes next word
Delete sentenceDeletes current sentence
Delete previous sentenceDeletes previous sentence
Delete next sentenceDeletes next sentence
Delete paragraphDeletes current paragraph
Delete previous paragraphDeletes previous paragraph
Delete next sentenceDeletes next paragraph
Delete lineDeletes current line
Delete previous lineDeletes previous line
Delete next lineDeletes next line
Delete previous {count} charactersDeletes the previous chosen amount of characters
Delete next {count} charactersDeletes the next chosen amount of characters
Delete previous {count} wordsDeletes the previous chosen amount of words
Delete next {count} wordsDeletes the next chosen amount of words
Delete previous {count} sentencesDeletes the previous chosen amount of sentences
Delete next {count} sentencesDeletes the next chosen amount of sentences
Delete previous {count} paragraphsDeletes the previous chosen amount of paragraphs
Delete next {count} paragraphsDeletes the next chosen amount of paragraphs
Delete previous {count} linesDeletes the previous chosen amount of lines
Delete next {count} linesDeletes the next chosen amount of lines

Device commands

Device commands all you to perform actions that your iPhone and iPad can do, such as adjusting volume, rotating the screen, and even taking screenshots.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
CommandAction
Turn down volumeTurn volume down a bit
Turn up volumeTurn volume up a bit
Mute soundMute device
Unmute soundUnmute device
Rotate to landscapeRotate to landscape orientation where applicable
Rotate to portraitRotate to portrait orientation where applicable
Lock screenLock device
Make emergency callMakes emergency call
Open Apple PayOpens Apple Pay
Shake deviceShakes device
Triple press home buttonTriple press the home button on applicable devices
Triple Press side buttonTriple press the side button on applicable devices
Take screenshotTakes screenshot of current screen
Gather Analytics*Gaters Analytics of current if possible
Reboot deviceReboot device

Accessibility

Of course, Voice Control can help you turn on and off all the Accessibility features.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
CommandAction
Turn off Voice ControlDisables Voice Control
Turn on AssistiveTouchEnables AssistiveTouch
Turn off AssistiveTouchDisables AssistiveTouch
Turn on Classic Invert ColorsEnables Classic Invert Colors
Turn off Classic Invert ColorsDisables Classic Invert Colors
Turn on Smart Invert ColorsEnables Smart Invert Colors
Turn off Smart Invert ColorsDisables Smart Invert Colors
Turn on Color FiltersEnables Color Filters
Turn off Color FiltersDisables Color Filters
Turn on Reduce White PointEnables Reduce White Point
Turn off Reduce White PointDisables Reduce White Point
Turn on Switch ControlEnables Switch Control
Turn off Switch ControlDisables Switch Control
Turn on VoiceOverEnables VoiceOver
Turn off VoiceOverDisables VoiceOver
Turn on ZoomEnables Zoom
Turn off ZoomDisables Zoom
Play {phrase}Plays requested item
Play artist {phrase}Plays requested artist
Play album {phrase}Plays requested album
Play playlist {phrase}Plays requested playlist
Play musicPlays music
Pause musicPause music
Next trackSkip to the next track
Previous trackSkip to the previous track
Shuffle musicShuffle current music
Genius or play more like this *will play more music like the current song playing
What song is thisLaunches Siri to listen for music
Dial {phrase}Dial number or contact
Dial {phrase} at {phrase} *Dial number or contact at a specific number
Dial voicemailDial voicemail
FaceTime {phrase}FaceTime contact or number
FaceTime {phrase} at {phrase} *FaceTime number or contact at a specific number
  • These commands are commands in iOS 14 beta

Any commands we forgot?

Have you been using Voice Control and come across a command not listed here? Let us know in the comments down below!

Updated June 2020: Updated with information from the iOS 14 developer beta.

Luke Filipowicz
Staff Writer

Luke Filipowicz has been a writer at iMore, covering Apple for nearly a decade now. He writes a lot about Apple Watch and iPad but covers the iPhone and Mac as well. He often describes himself as an "Apple user on a budget" and firmly believes that great technology can be affordable if you know where to look. Luke also heads up the iMore Show — a weekly podcast focusing on Apple news, rumors, and products but likes to have some fun along the way. 

Luke knows he spends more time on Twitter than he probably should, so feel free to follow him or give him a shout on social media @LukeFilipowicz.