Create, import, and export custom commands for Voice Control on Mac
When you use Voice Control on your Mac, you can enable or disable standard commands. Additionally, you can create your own commands, delete commands, and import or export multiple custom commands.
Create your own commands
On your Mac, choose Apple menu
in the sidebar, then click Voice Control on the right. (You may need to scroll down.)Click Commands.
If you added languages to use with Voice Control, make sure the language you want to use for the command is selected in the “Show commands for” pop-up menu.
Below the list of commands, click the Add button
.In the “When I say” field, enter a name for your command, following these guidelines:
Use two or more words, and avoid names with a single syllable. For example, use “Make text smaller” rather than “Smaller.”
Avoid proper names, names that sound similar to other words, or names that could be confused with other commands.
Don’t use names that are used for other commands. If you do, a warning icon appears next to the duplicate commands in the list of commands.
Indicate whether the command is to be used in any app or in a specific app.
Choose the action the command performs.
Some actions require additional information. For example:
For Paste Text, you must enter the text to be pasted whenever you say your command.
For Press Keyboard Shortcut, you must press a keyboard key (you don’t need to also press a modifier key). For example, if you want your command to play or pause a video, press the Space key.
For Run Shortcut, choose a shortcut or choose Open Shortcuts App to create another shortcut.
For Run Automator Workflow, choose a standard Automator workflow such as “New screen recording,” or choose Other to select a workflow you created.
Click Done.
Your command appears in the Custom section at the top of the commands list.
Tip: You can easily create commands while you’re working. Say “Make this speakable” to open the New Voice Control Command window. Then specify the command name, an app, and an action. If you select text or an item, such as a file, before opening the window, an action is selected by default; you can change it, if needed.
Import custom commands
On your Mac, choose Apple menu
Click the Advanced Actions menu
in the lower-right corner, then choose Import Custom Commands.Select the file of custom Voice Control commands, then click Import.
Note: The file can include both iOS and macOS commands; only macOS commands are imported.
Export custom commands
On your Mac, choose Apple menu
Click the Advanced Actions menu
in the lower-right corner, then choose Export Custom Commands.Choose a location, then click Export.
Note: Files referenced by custom commands, such as apps, documents, Shortcuts, and Automator Workflows, are not included in the export and must be transferred separately.
Delete custom commands
On your Mac, choose Apple menu
Do one of the following:
Delete one custom command: Click Commands, select the command to delete in the Custom section at the top of the commands list, click the Remove button
, click Delete, then click Done.Delete all custom commands: Click the Advanced Actions menu
in the lower-right corner, choose Delete All Custom Commands, then click Delete.