Apple introduces Personal Voice on iPhone and iPad to assist users with speech challenges
Apple has expanded its accessibility toolkit with a feature called Personal Voice. This capability, which debuted as part of the broader iOS 17 ecosystem, enables individuals to reproduce a synthetic voice that closely resembles their own or another selected voice in a matter of minutes. The technology is designed to help people who may lose the ability to speak due to illness, injury, or other conditions maintain clearer, more natural communication in daily life and during digital interactions.
To create a Personal Voice, a user completes a short on-device setup that involves reading a series of random phrases and recording a roughly 15-minute voice sample. The on-device machine learning process then analyzes the captured data and generates a usable voice model that mirrors the speaker’s traits, including cadence, tone, and emphasis. Importantly, this process occurs locally on the device, which helps protect the user’s biometric data and minimizes exposure to external servers.
The newly generated voice can be paired with Live Speech, another feature in the accessibility suite. Live Speech converts typed text into spoken words during phone calls, FaceTime conversations, and face-to-face meetings, enabling real-time, natural-sounding communication without needing to vocalize in the moment. This integration can be especially valuable for individuals who temporarily or permanently lose voice ability due to medical conditions, enabling them to participate more fully in conversations and social interactions.
Apple emphasizes a strong commitment to privacy and security for Personal Voice and related accessibility tools. The company notes that on-device processing is designed to limit data leaving the device, and it provides straightforward controls for managing voice data, including options to review and delete stored samples. While such features open new possibilities for communication, they also prompt ongoing discussion about consent, data retention, and the broader implications of voice replication technology in everyday life.
Accessibility features like Personal Voice reflect Apple’s broader strategy to make technology inclusive for people with diverse needs. As these tools become more widespread, developers and policymakers are increasingly exploring best practices for safeguarding user consent, ensuring transparent use of voice models, and providing clear pathways to opt out or adjust privacy settings. For users in Canada and the United States, this technology is part of a growing trend toward assistive tech that supports independence, dignity, and participation in work, education, and community life.