VoiceOver Utility and Customization#
VoiceOver is highly customizable. The VoiceOver Utility is your central hub for adjusting every aspect of how VoiceOver works. This chapter explores the utility’s categories and key settings.
Opening VoiceOver Utility#
| Action | Command |
|---|---|
| Open VoiceOver Utility | VO + F8 |
| Alternative | VO + Fn + F8 (if function keys require Fn) |
You can also find it in Applications > Utilities > VoiceOver Utility.
Navigating VoiceOver Utility#
The utility has a sidebar with categories and a main area showing settings:
- Use VO + Arrow keys to navigate the category list
- Press Return or navigate right to access settings
- Use shortcuts Command + 1 through Command + 0 to jump to categories
Category Shortcuts#
| Category | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| General | Command + 1 |
| Verbosity | Command + 2 |
| Speech | Command + 3 |
| Navigation | Command + 4 |
| Web | Command + 5 |
| Sound | Command + 6 |
| Visuals | Command + 7 |
| Commanders | Command + 8 |
| Braille | Command + 9 |
| Activities | Command + 0 |
General Category#
VoiceOver Modifier#
Choose which keys serve as the VoiceOver modifier:
- Control + Option: Default two-key combination
- Caps Lock: Single-key alternative
You can enable both, using whichever is convenient.
Welcome and Greeting#
- Show Welcome dialog: Controls whether the welcome screen appears at startup
- Greeting: Set a custom message VoiceOver speaks when starting
Portable Preferences#
Sync your VoiceOver settings to an external drive, then use them on any Mac:
- Connect an external drive
- Click “Set Up Portable Preferences”
- Follow the prompts
This is invaluable if you use multiple Macs or want a backup of your settings.
Verbosity Category#
Control how much VoiceOver speaks. Multiple tabs organize settings:
Speech Tab#
| Setting | Effect |
|---|---|
| Default verbosity | High, Medium, or Low detail overall |
| Speak punctuation | All, Most, Some, or None |
| Typing echo | Characters, Words, Both, or Nothing |
| Deleted characters | Announce or stay silent |
| Capitals | Speak “cap”, play sound, or change pitch |
Announcements Tab#
| Setting | Effect |
|---|---|
| Scroll announcements | Announce when content scrolls |
| Table headers | Speak headers while navigating |
| Progress indicators | How to announce progress |
Hints Tab#
| Setting | Effect |
|---|---|
| Speak hints | After delay, immediately, or never |
| Hint delay | How long to wait before speaking hints |
Speech Category#
Voices Tab#
- Default voice: Your primary VoiceOver voice
- Additional voices: Add voices for different contexts
- Per-voice settings: Rate, pitch, volume, intonation
Pronunciation Tab#
Create custom pronunciations:
- Click +
- Enter the text VoiceOver mispronounces
- Enter how it should be spoken
Navigation Category#
Grouping Behavior#
| Setting | Effect |
|---|---|
| Standard | Must interact with all groups |
| Ignore groups in windows | Navigate directly through window items |
| Ignore all groups | Navigate through everything directly |
Fast Searching#
Enable searching by pressing Command + letter to jump to elements starting with that letter.
Web Category#
Navigation Tab#
- Default navigation: DOM order or Group mode
- Group items within: Configure automatic grouping
- Keyboard commands: How VoiceOver handles website keyboard shortcuts
Web Rotor Tab#
Configure which items appear in the Rotor when browsing web pages:
- Check items to include
- Uncheck items to exclude
- Reorder with Command + Up/Down Arrow
Sound Category#
Sound Effects#
Enable or disable VoiceOver’s sound effects for various actions.
Audio Ducking#
Automatically lower other audio when VoiceOver speaks.
Visuals Category#
Cursor Tab#
- VoiceOver cursor: Appearance and behavior
- Caption panel: Show text of what VoiceOver speaks
- Braille panel: Show braille representation on screen
Panels and Menus Tab#
Configure caption panel, braille panel, and menu appearances.
Commanders Category#
See the Commanders chapter for detailed coverage of:
- Trackpad Commander: Gesture controls
- NumPad Commander: Numeric keypad shortcuts
- Keyboard Commander: Custom keyboard shortcuts
- Quick Nav: Arrow key and single-key navigation
Braille Category#
Configure braille display settings:
- Translation: Braille grade and language
- Layout: How content appears on the display
- Status: Status cell configuration
- Displays: Connected display settings
Activities Category#
Create custom VoiceOver configurations for specific apps or tasks. See the Activities chapter for details.
Exporting and Importing Settings#
Exporting#
- File menu > Export Preferences
- Choose what to export (All, Basic, Hot Spots, etc.)
- Save the .voprefs file
Importing#
- File menu > Import Preferences
- Select a .voprefs file
- Settings are applied
Resetting VoiceOver#
If settings cause problems:
- VoiceOver menu > Reset
- Choose what to reset (specific settings or everything)
- Confirm
Warning: Resetting cannot be undone. Export your preferences first if you might want them back.
Summary#
VoiceOver Utility provides complete control over VoiceOver:
- VO + F8 opens the utility
- Command + 1-0 jumps to categories
- Verbosity controls how much VoiceOver speaks
- Speech configures voices and pronunciation
- Navigation sets cursor and grouping behavior
- Web customizes web browsing experience
- Commanders assigns custom shortcuts
- Export/import settings to backup or transfer preferences
Spend time exploring VoiceOver Utility—customizing VoiceOver to your preferences makes a significant difference in daily use.