Many people don’t realise their phones have “hidden” tools that make communicating much easier. Here is how to set them up.
1. Live Captioning (See what people say)
This tool turns spoken words into text on your screen in real-time. It is perfect for noisy places, doctor’s appointments, or video calls.
- For iPhone (iOS 16+):
- Go to Settings > Accessibility.
- Scroll down to the “Hearing” section and tap Live Captions.
- Switch Live Captions to ON.
- Tip: You can tap the “Appearance” menu to make the text larger or change the background colours.
- For Android:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility.
- Tap Live Caption.
- Turn on Use Live Caption.
- Tip: You can also turn this on or off quickly by pressing your Volume Button and tapping the small “caption” icon that appears below the volume slider.
2. Dictation (Speak instead of type)
If typing is difficult, you can use your voice to “write” messages.
- How to use it:
- Open any app where you type (like Messages or WhatsApp).
- Look for the Microphone icon on your keyboard (usually in the bottom right corner).
- Tap it, wait for the “beep,” and start speaking. Your mobile will turn your voice into text instantly.
- Jonathan’s Tip: This is a great way to “practise” words you are struggling with.
3. Predictive Text & Auto-Correct
These tools “guess” the word you are trying to write, so you only have to type the first few letters.
- How to use it:
- As you type, look at the bar just above your keyboard.
- You will see three word suggestions. If you see the word you want, just tap it to insert it.
- Why it helps: It reduces the “motor load” of typing and helps with spelling frustrations.
4. Apple’s “Personal Voice” (Advanced AI)
For those who may have fluctuating speech, this tool allows you to “bank” your voice so the device can speak for you in your actual voice.
- Setup: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Personal Voice.
- How it works: You record a series of phrases, and the mobile creates a digital version of your voice. You can then type a message, and your mobile will say it out loud using your voice.
💡 Quick Summary Table
|
Feature |
What it does |
Best for… |
|
Live Captions |
Shows text of what others say. |
Appointments & Group Chats |
|
Dictation |
Turns your voice into text. |
Sending messages without typing |
|
Predictive Text |
Guesses the word you want. |
Speed and spelling support |
|
Speak Selection |
Reads text on screen out loud. |
Reading long emails or news |