TTS ReaderScan to speech: hear a printed page on iPhone
In TTS Reader, tap Add → Scan and point the camera at a page. The text is recognised on your iPhone and read aloud with each word highlighted. You can also pick a photo of a page. Free, no upload.
Steps
- Tap Add → Scan. The camera frames the page and straightens it; you can scan several pages in a row.
- Finish scanning. TTS Reader recognises the text and adds it to your library.
- Press Play. Change the voice or speed at any time.
Already have a picture? Choose Add → Photos and pick it. TTS Reader sees only the photos you select.
What people scan
- pages of a paper book, worksheets and handouts;
- letters, instructions and printed forms;
- menus and notices in another language: TTS Reader reads 31 languages and can also translate a document with Apple’s Translation feature.
Nothing leaves the iPhone
Text recognition uses Apple’s on-device technology, and the voices run on the iPhone too. Scans are stored in your library on the device and are never uploaded. Details are in the privacy policy.
Tips for a clean result
- Use even light and avoid shadows across the text.
- Hold the phone parallel to the page; the scanner corrects small angles.
- For a whole book chapter, a PDF or EPUB, if you have one, is faster than scanning page by page: see reading a PDF aloud.
Questions
How do I scan a page and hear it?
Tap Add, choose Scan, and point the camera at the page. The camera finds the page edges, TTS Reader recognises the text and opens it ready to play, with the current word highlighted as it reads.
Can it read text from a photo?
Yes. Choose Photos in the Add menu and pick a picture of a page, a sign or a handout. TTS Reader only sees the photos you pick.
Are scans uploaded anywhere?
No. Text recognition runs on your iPhone with Apple’s on-device technology, and the scan stays in your library on the device.
Does it work with handwriting?
Printed text works best. Neat handwriting may be recognised partly; messy handwriting usually is not.