Text-to-speech features you can use on your smartphone! How to set up and use on iPhone, iPad, and Android

Text-to-speech software refers to software or services that convert characters, text, or documents into audio and read them aloud.

Since it reads the text on your behalf, it can be much more convenient than you might think.

While there are many types of text-to-speech software for PC, it is often difficult to find good text-to-speech software for smartphones even when you look for it.

However, smartphones actually come equipped with text-to-speech functionality as a standard feature.

In other words, you can use text-to-speech directly on iPhones, iPads, and Android smartphones without having to search for software or apps.

I don't have a preference for sound quality or voice type

I just want to use a read-aloud function

The setup method for using the smartphone's standard read-aloud function is very simple.

In this article, we will introduce how to use the text-to-speech features available as standard smartphone functions and recommended text-to-speech websites.

Using Text-to-Speech via Standard Smartphone Functions

• iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, etc.)
• Android devices (Google Pixel, Xperia, OPPO, Xiaomi, AQUOS, etc.)

The setup methods differ for each. Please check your respective device and set it up accordingly.

For iPhone and iPad

Settings for iPhone and iPad are very simple.

1. Open the "Settings" app -> "General"
2. Select "Accessibility"
3. Select "Speech" from the list

When you tap Speech, there are three options.

• Speak Selection
• Speak Screen
• Auto-text

Please turn on your preferred settings.

In this case, we will turn "Speak Screen" to "On."

Then,

• "Voices" selection
• "Speaking Rate" etc.

The screen will switch to one where you can adjust detailed settings. Please adjust them according to your preference.

Among the voice types, Siri is also available. It is a convenient feature that allows Siri to read aloud for you.

How to Use

To use it, simply slide down from the top of the screen with two fingers on the screen where the text you want to read is displayed.

This will start the reading.

On the playback panel that appears, you can adjust the speed or fast-forward.

The reading will not stop even if you open other apps or screens while it is reading. This is very convenient for multitasking!

For Android Devices

This is the method if you are using an Android OS smartphone such as Xperia, OPPO, Xiaomi, or AQUOS.

There are three ways to read text using the standard functions of an Android device.

1. Tell Google Assistant to "Read it"
2. Select the part you want to read and tap "Read aloud" from the menu bar
3. Go to Settings -> Accessibility -> Turn the "Select to Speak" shortcut key "On"

If you just want to have text from text notes or web pages read aloud, methods "1" or "2" are easy because they require no setup and can be used immediately.

We will explain each method.

Tell Google Assistant to "Read it"

If you want to select text from text notes or web pages and have it read aloud, this method is the easiest.

However, it cannot read the text of Gmail messages.

[Setup Method]

1. Open the page you want to have read.
2. Launch Google Assistant.
   Say "OK Google."
   Alternatively, it launches by swiping up from the bottom right corner.
3. Tell Google Assistant "Read it."

The reading will then begin.

It will read the entire page.

There are also features such as:

• Marker display for the part being read
• Changing the speed (0.5 to 3.0 times)

This is very useful when you want a quick reading of the whole page.

Select the part you want to read and tap "Read aloud" from the menu bar

I want a specific part read, not the whole page

In such cases, the recommended method is to tap "Read aloud" from the menu bar.

[Setup Method]

1. Open the page you want to have read.
2. Select the part you want to have read.
3. Tap "︙" in the menu bar.
4. Tap the "Read aloud" menu.

It can be done very easily just by pressing read aloud from the menu bar of the selected portion.

However, it cannot read the text of Gmail messages.

Settings -> Accessibility -> Turn the "Select to Speak" shortcut key "On"

If you have frequent opportunities to use the read-aloud function daily, use Accessibility.

Setup Method

1. Launch the "Settings" app.
2. Tap "Accessibility."
3. Tap "Select to Speak."
4. Turn the "Select to Speak shortcut" to On.

How to Use

Click the shortcut key on the screen you want to have read aloud.

This will perform the reading while marking the portion being read.

This feature can also perform text-to-speech for LINE messages, emails, memo apps, etc.

The shortcut key is always displayed.

It is a very convenient feature for those who use it often.

However, for those who do not use read-aloud much, the shortcut may be in the way and feel inconvenient.

Please choose the best method for you and use the read-aloud function effectively.

Text-to-Speech Websites Usable on Smartphones

Text-to-speech functions can also be easily used from websites!

Among them, we will introduce "Ondoku," which is simple, easy to use, and has a reputation for high-performance text-to-speech.

"Ondoku" also has a function to download audio as an MP3, which is not available in the standard read-aloud functions of iPhone or Android.

It is used for various text-to-speech purposes and is utilized not only by individuals but also by many corporations.

How to Use Ondoku

The method to use Ondoku for free is very simple.

There is no need to download apps or software. Its appeal also lies in being usable via a web browser alone.

How to use:

1. Access the Ondoku site
2. Enter the characters you want to read in the text box (copy and paste is also OK)
3. Adjust settings to your preference, such as voice type and speed
4. Click Read

That's all it takes.

The audio can also be downloaded in MP3 format.

Textbooks and Printouts Can Also Be Read Aloud

Ondoku also has a convenient feature: "Upload an image for text-to-speech."

This is a feature that can read text aloud from images taken with a smartphone or other device.

Simply by taking pictures of picture books, books, textbooks, etc., you can have them read aloud by Ondoku.

It's very convenient because you don't have to enter the characters one by one, saving you the trouble.

[How to Use the Image -> Text-to-Speech Function]

1. Access the Ondoku top page
2. There are "Text" and "Image" tabs above the text box
3. Click the "Image" tab
4. Click image upload and choose the image you like
   *In the case of a smartphone, you can also launch the camera here to take a photo directly.
5. After selecting the image, adjust the reading speed and pitch.
6. Click the Read button

Then, in just a few seconds, it will analyze the image and read it aloud as audio.

After loading the image, the recognized characters are displayed in the text box.

If there are recognition errors and the read-aloud content is incorrect, you can edit it here.

Detailed usage of the image reading function is introduced in more detail in this article.

[Convert images to audio for free] How to use the function to read characters from images and read the audio aloud [Image Reading] | Text-to-speech software Ondoku

This article introduces in detail Ondoku's new function, "the function to read characters from images and read the audio aloud," and explains how to use it. This function can be used from a PC or a smartphone. Of course, it can also be used for free.

■ AI voice synthesis software "Ondoku"

"Ondoku" is an online text-to-speech tool that can be used with no initial costs.

• Supports approximately 50 languages, including Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, French, and German
• Available from both PC and smartphone
• Suitable for business, education, entertainment, etc.
• No installation required, can be used immediately from your browser
• Supports reading from images

To use it, simply enter text or upload a file on the site. A natural-sounding audio file will be generated within seconds. You can use voice synthesis up to 5,000 characters for free, so please give it a try.

Text-to-speech software "Ondoku" can read out 5000 characters every month with AI voice for free. You can easily download MP3s and commercial use is also possible. If you sign up for free, you can convert up to 5,000 characters per month for free from text to speech. Try Ondoku now.

HP: ondoku3.com
Email: ondoku3.com@gmail.com