Turn VoiceOver on or off on your Apple TV

VoiceOver is a screen reader feature that makes it easier for those who have impaired vision to use Apple TV.

Get started

To use VoiceOver, you need an Apple TV (2nd generation or later) with software version 4.2 or later.

Set up your Apple TV for the first time

  1. Connect the HDMI cable from your TV or receiver to your Apple TV.
  2. Make sure that your TV is set to the correct input for your Apple TV.
  3. Plug in your Apple TV power cable. 
    • On Apple TV (4th generation), wait a few seconds, then press the upper-left button (Menu) three times. You should hear “VoiceOver on.”
    • On Apple TV (2nd or 3rd generation), wait a minute. Your Apple TV should ask you to press the lower-right button (Play/Pause) on your remote to turn on VoiceOver. 
  4. Select your language.

Turn VoiceOver on or off

Use the remote that came with your Apple TV and follow the steps for your Apple TV model.

Apple TV (4th generation)

If you turned on VoiceOver when you set up your Apple TV, you can use the accessibility shortcut to turn VoiceOver on or off. Just press the Menu button three times to turn VoiceOver on or off. 

You can also go to Settings > General > Accessibility > VoiceOver, then turn VoiceOver on or off.

To turn the shortcut on, go to Settings > General > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut, then select VoiceOver. 

Apple TV (3rd generation)

  1. To return to the main menu, press the lower-left button (Menu) repeatedly until you hear a stop sound.
  2. Press Down once.
  3. To highlight Settings, press Right repeatedly until you hear a stop sound. If you changed the layout of the main menu, you might not have Settings here. Use the arrow buttons on your remote to highlight Settings.
  4. Press Select twice.
  5. Press Down repeatedly until you hear a stop sound.
  6. Press Up four times. Accessibility should be highlighted.
  7. Press Select twice. VoiceOver should turn on and begin reading the content on your Apple TV screen.

Apple TV (2nd generation)

  1. To return to the main menu, hold down Menu for five seconds.
  2. Press Menu once. The top-left icon should be highlighted.
  3. Press Right repeatedly until you hear a stop sound.
  4. Press Down once. Settings should be highlighted. If you changed the layout of the main menu, you might not have Settings here. Use the arrow buttons on your remote to highlight Settings.
  5. Press Up repeatedly until you hear the stop sound. You should be at the first menu item in the General menu.
  6. Press Select.
  7. Press Down repeatedly until you hear the stop sound. 
  8. Press Up four times. Accessibility should be highlighted.
  9. Press Select twice. VoiceOver should turn on and begin reading the content on your Apple TV screen.

 

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