---
title: "Type to speak on a Mac: have what you type spoken aloud with Live Speech"
description: "How to use Live Speech on Mac to have what you type spoken out loud in conversations and FaceTime calls: turning it on, choosing a voice, saved phrases and categories. Free and built in."
url: "https://speechbee.app/guides/type-to-speak-mac"
---

# Type to speak on a Mac

If you can't speak, or would rather type in a conversation, your Mac can say what you type out loud. Apple calls it Live Speech, and it works in person and in apps like FaceTime. Here's how to set it up and use saved phrases.

By the SpeechBee team, who make SpeechBee. Checked against Apple's Mac User Guide on 12 October 2026.

> ### The short version
>
> 1. Open **System Settings**, **Accessibility**, **Speech**, **Live Speech**, and turn it on.
> 2. Click the **Type to Speak** field in the Live Speech window, type, and press Return.
> 3. Add saved phrases for things you say often.

## Turn on Live Speech

1. Choose Apple menu, **System Settings**, then **Accessibility** in the sidebar.
2. Go to **Speech**, then click **Live Speech**, and turn it on.
3. Type in the **Type to Speak** field of the Live Speech window and press Return. Your Mac says it aloud.

You can show or hide the Live Speech window from the menu bar. Apple notes Live Speech isn't available in every language.

## Choose a voice

By default Live Speech uses the system voice from Read & Speak settings. Use the **Voice** menu in Live Speech settings to choose another, including a Personal Voice you've created.

## Saved phrases and categories

Keep phrases you use often, like "Give me a moment" or your name, so you can say them with a click. In Live Speech settings, click **Saved** or another category and add phrases. You can create categories, such as work, school or gaming, each with its own phrases.

## Where it works

Live Speech is designed for in-person conversations and for calls in apps like FaceTime, so the other person hears your typed words.

## Is SpeechBee a type-to-speak app?

No. SpeechBee, which we make, does two other things: it turns your speech into typed text, and it reads text you select aloud for you to hear. It isn't designed to speak for you in conversations or calls, and it isn't an AAC app. For that, use Live Speech.

## Questions

### How do I make my Mac say what I type?

Turn on Live Speech in System Settings, Accessibility, Speech. Type in the Type to Speak field and press Return.

### Can Live Speech work on a FaceTime call?

Yes. Apple says Live Speech speaks what you type during in-person conversations and in apps like FaceTime.

### Can I use my own voice with Live Speech?

If you've created a Personal Voice, you can choose it in Live Speech settings.

## Keep reading

- [How to make your Mac read text aloud](https://speechbee.app/guides/text-to-speech-on-mac)
- [Natural text to speech voices on a Mac](https://speechbee.app/guides/natural-text-to-speech-voices-mac)

## More on reading aloud

- [Every read-aloud guide and comparison](https://speechbee.app/guides/read-text-aloud)
- [Best text to speech for Mac](https://speechbee.app/compare/best-text-to-speech-app-mac)
- [Speechify vs SpeechBee](https://speechbee.app/compare/speechify-vs-speechbee)
- [NaturalReader pricing](https://speechbee.app/compare/naturalreader-pricing)
- [Speechify alternatives](https://speechbee.app/compare/speechify-alternatives)
- [Speechify pricing](https://speechbee.app/compare/speechify-pricing)
- [Every dictation guide and comparison](https://speechbee.app/guides/voice-typing-mac)

## Sources

Checked on 12 October 2026.

- [Apple: Use Live Speech on Mac](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/mchl86b6234f/mac)