iPod shuffle (4th generation): Enabling and using VoiceOver

Learn how to enable and use VoiceOver on your iPod shuffle (4th generation).

Enabling VoiceOver in iTunes for iPod shuffle (4th generation) allows you to hear the names of songs, artists, and playlists spoken when listening to content on iPod shuffle. VoiceOver also tells you battery status and other messages. You can enable VoiceOver when you first set up your iPod with iTunes, or you can set it up later in the Summary button, in iPod settings, in iTunes. When you select the option to enable VoiceOver in the iPod Setup Assistant or in the Summary button, you will be guided through the process of installing the VoiceOver Kit.

To enable VoiceOver when you set up iPod shuffle

  1. Connect iPod shuffle to your computer.

  2. Follow the onscreen instructions in iTunes. "Enable VoiceOver" is selected by default.

  3. Click Continue.

  4. In the Summary button, under Voice Feedback, choose the language you want from the Language menu. This sets the language for your spoken system messages and playlist names, as well as many of the song titles and artist names.

  5. Click Apply. When setup is complete, VoiceOver is enabled on iPod shuffle.

Note: To pick a different language for specific songs:

  1. Select the songs in iTunes.

  2. Choose File > Get Info.

  3. Choose a VoiceOver language from the pop-up menu on the Options tab.

  4. Click OK.

To enable VoiceOver at a later time

  1. Connect iPod shuffle to your computer.

  2. In iTunes, select iPod shuffle in the list of devices, and then click the Summary button.

  3. Under Voice Feedback, select Enable VoiceOver.

  4. Click Apply.

  5. Choose the language you want from the menu, under Voice Feedback.

  6. Click Apply. When syncing is finished, VoiceOver is enabled.

To disable VoiceOver

  1. In iTunes, select iPod shuffle in the list of devices, and then click the Summary button.

  2. Under Voice Feedback, deselect Enable VoiceOver.

  3. Click Apply.

When syncing is finished, VoiceOver is disabled. You'll still hear some system announcements in English on iPod shuffle, such as battery status, error messages, and a generic numbered playlist menu. You won’t hear song titles and artist names.

To hear the current track announcement

Press the VoiceOver button on the iPod during playback. You will hear the current track title and artist name. You can also use VoiceOver to navigate to another title when you're listening to track announcements.

To use track announcements to navigate

  • If iPod shuffle is playing, press:

    • The VoiceOver button to hear the current track announcement

    • Next/Fast-forward to skip to the next track and hear the next track announcement

    • Previous/Rewind to move to the previous track and hear the previous track announcement

  • If iPod shuffle is paused, press:

    • The VoiceOver button to hear the current track announcement

    • Next/Fast-forward to hear the next announcement

    • Previous/Rewind to hear the previous announcement

    • The VoiceOver button or Play/Pause to play the announced track

Changing playlists

When VoiceOver is enabled, you can hear the title and choose any playlist you've synced to iPod shuffle. If audiobooks or audio podcasts are synced to iPod shuffle, their titles are also read as part of the playlist menu. If VoiceOver is disabled in iTunes, playlists are identified by numbered order, but not by name (for example, "Playlist 1, Playlist 2," and so on).

The playlist menu announces items in this order:

  • The current playlist (if applicable)

  • "All Songs" (default playlist of all the songs on iPod shuffle)

  • All playlists, including Genius playlists, in alphabetical order

  • All Genius Mixes, in alphabetical order

  • All podcasts, in alphabetical order

  • All iTunes U collections, in alphabetical order

  • All audiobooks, in alphabetical order

To choose an item from the playlist menu

  1. Press and hold the VoiceOver button. You hear the names of your playlists.

  2. When you hear the name of the playlist you want, press the VoiceOver button or Play/Pause to select it. The first item in your playlist plays. When you're listening to the playlist menu, you can press Next/Fast-forward or Previous/Rewind to move forward or backward in the playlist menu.

To restart a playlist, follow these steps to select the playlist you want.

To exit the playlist menu

Press and hold the VoiceOver button.

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