Top 6 Voice Control Features on iPhone for Seamless Hands-Free Operation

If you’re looking for a hands-free solution, utilizing voice control on your iPhone can significantly enhance your experience. This functionality enables you to manage tasks, launch applications, and navigate your device seamlessly using only your voice. Let’s delve into how to activate and utilize voice control to create an entirely voice-responsive experience.

1. Automatic Scrolling

The Voice Control feature in iOS is particularly beneficial for users who may struggle with manual navigation on their iPhones or those who prefer voice commands for improved accessibility. To utilize its features, such as automatic scrolling, ensure that you have enabled Voice Control on your iPhone running iOS 13 or later.

Navigate to Settings → Accessibility → Voice Control on your iPhone.

Once there, tap on Voice Control. If this is your first setup, it will prompt you with Set Up Voice Control.

Choose your preferred language and then click on Continue.

You’ll see some examples of voice commands such as Open Control Center, Go Home, or Show Numbers. After reviewing, press Done.

Now you’re set to use Voice Control. A personal favorite feature of mine is automatic scrolling, which is especially useful on chilly evenings when I like scrolling through Snapchat or Instagram without having to expose my hands from the warmth of my blanket.

To activate automatic scrolling within applications, revisit Settings and head to Voice Control, then select Customize Commands.

You can choose Custom or explore additional useful commands from the list.

Click on Create New Command. You can either speak or type a phrase that you’d like to use for scrolling, and then click on Action.

Select Run Custom Gesture. Draw a swipe-up gesture on the screen with your finger and hit Save, then save again.

Now open your favorite social media app and say “Next.” Automatic scrolling will commence, whether you’re scrolling through a profile or watching videos.

Personally, I find this feature works beautifully when enjoying videos on Snapchat or browsing Instagram feeds, although it occasionally struggles with Instagram Reels or TikTok videos.

2. Assistive Touch

Assistive Touch is another remarkable accessibility feature that comes with an impressive voice-activated capability called Sound Actions, available with iOS 18.

This functionality allows users to operate their iPhone even if they experience difficulties interacting physically with the screen. Sound Actions simplifies your experience by allowing you to produce sounds or noises to trigger various operations on your iPhone. I often utilize this when my hands are full and I cannot handle my phone. Just making a sound like Sh lets me decrease the volume of my device, which is incredibly convenient!

For a fuller experience with Sound Actions, enabling Eye Tracking (which is also part of iOS 18) will allow you to perform multiple actions efficiently.

To set it up, navigate to Settings → Accessibility → Eye Tracking.

Toggle Eye Tracking on and follow the instructions on-screen to complete the calibration.

Return to Accessibility → Touch and enable the toggle next to Assistive Touch.

Swipe until you locate Sound Actions.

Choose a sound you can produce, like Click or Oo.

Link this sound to a specific action, such as Lock Screen or Screenshot. You can connect multiple sounds with various actions and use them sequentially if desired.

If you’re unsure how to produce a certain sound, tap on Practice at the top for guidance.

3. Customized Vocal Shortcuts

Another feature exclusive to iOS 18 is vocal shortcuts, which enable you to create personalized vocal phrases that can be associated with specific actions.

To begin, go to Settings → Accessibility → Vocal Shortcuts.

Select Set Up Vocal Shortcuts to get started. Choose an action, type a phrase (even a complex one), and then speak it aloud. You can also perform this through Siri if you prefer.

4. Hands-Free Photos

Voice Control allows users to capture photos without using their hands on the iPhone. This feature is particularly helpful for taking self-portraits, and I like it better than using a timer since I don’t have to rush to get into the right position before the timer expires. However, you’ll need to activate an additional setting for convenience before using this option.

Head to Settings → Accessibility → Voice Control → Overlay.

Enable Item Names and optionally choose Item Numbers if that works better for you.

Issue the command “Open Camera” to launch your camera app, and you will see visual hints for all camera buttons to help you reference them effectively.

If you’re looking to take a selfie, simply say “Tap Camera Chooser.” When you’re prepared to snap that photo, say “Tap Take Picture.” Occasionally, I need to repeat my commands, but that may be due to my accent.

5. Hands-Free Bill Pay

Using the same overlay previously mentioned, you can easily manage your bill payments via voice commands. I have included a screenshot showcasing the payment screen for purchasing a game on Steam, as the billing apps I generally use operate in my native language. Commands such as “Tap VISA” can select your card type, followed by “Tap PayPal” or any other preferred service.

For data entry, simply say “Tap First Name.” Paying bills via apps becomes much smoother since you’ll likely have most of your information stored.

For example, I only need to say “Tap Bills & Payments → Tap Select → Tap Pay” to settle my energy bill because all my card details are saved.

6. More Voice Options with Siri

It’s important to note that Voice Control differs from Siri, and both can be utilized simultaneously. My experience has shown that for more specific actions on the iPhone, Voice Control proves more effective, whereas I tend to rely on Siri for other types of tasks.

For instance, I find it simpler to say “Hey Siri, Play Madonna on Spotify” rather than issuing a series of verbal commands to achieve the same result.

To configure Siri on your iPhone, go to Settings → Siri & Search, and ensure that Listen for “Hey Siri” is turned on.

Additionally, you can explore how to modify Siri’s voice and language settings across your Mac and other Apple devices.

Image credit: Freepik. All screenshots provided by Alexandra Arici.

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