How do I get my iPhone to read a Word document aloud?

Open VoiceRead, tap File, pick the .docx in the Files app and press play. Each sentence is highlighted as it's read, and your place is saved for next time.

Can VoiceRead read Google Docs?

Yes, once exported. Download the doc as Word (.docx), PDF or plain text and open that file — or copy the text in Google Docs and paste it into VoiceRead.

Why does my RTF or HTML file show strange codes?

VoiceRead reads DOCX, TXT, PDF and EPUB. RTF and HTML files open with their formatting codes in the text, so save a copy as DOCX, PDF or plain text first.

Can I turn a Word document into an MP3?

Studio exports M4A, which plays almost everywhere MP3 does; Pro adds lossless WAV and an .srt captions file. Direct MP3 export is coming soon. Export options.

Does it work offline?

Yes. Once the document is in VoiceRead, the standard voices read it without a connection. Premium voices need to be online.

Yes. Listening with the standard voices is unlimited and needs no account. Pro adds premium voices and unlimited audio downloads. See pricing.

DOCX · TXT · GOOGLE DOCS · IPHONE · IPAD

Read Word documents aloud and proofread by ear

Read Word documents aloud on your iPhone or iPad: open a DOCX or TXT file and VoiceRead reads it in a natural voice, highlighting each sentence. Hearing your own writing catches the missing words, repeated phrases and tangled sentences your eyes slide past.

Download on theApp Store

DOCXTXTExported Google DocsFiles app

VoiceRead reading a document aloud with the current sentence highlighted

HOW TO READ A WORD DOCUMENT ALOUD

DOCX text to speech in three taps

01Open the documentTap File and pick the DOCX or TXT in the Files app — iCloud Drive, Google Drive and Dropbox appear there. Or paste the text straight in.
02Set the voice and paceStandard voices are free; Pro adds premium voices. Slow down to proofread, speed up to review — anywhere from 0.5–3.5×.
03Listen and markThe sentence being read lights up. Tap it to hear it again, and add a note wherever something needs fixing.

PROOFREAD BY EAR

Hear what your eyes skip over.

When you reread your own draft, your brain fills in what you meant to write. A voice reads only what's on the page, so a dropped word or a sentence that runs out of breath stands out — and the highlight shows exactly where it is.

How read-along works

WHAT OPENS

DOCX, TXT and Google Docs — and what to convert first.

Word documentsReports, essays, manuscripts and cover letters saved as .docx. VoiceRead reads the text; images are skipped.

Plain textVoiceRead reads TXT files aloud too: notes, scripts and drafts from any editor. Save them as UTF-8, the default in most apps.

Google DocsExport first: File → Download → Microsoft Word (.docx), PDF or Plain text on a computer, or send a copy as Word or PDF from the Google Docs app. Save it to Files, then open it in VoiceRead.

RTF, HTML and othersRTF and HTML files open with their formatting codes mixed into the text. Save a copy as DOCX, PDF or TXT first — the same goes for Pages documents and older .doc files.

A PROOFREADING ROUTINE

A second reader for every draft.

Play the document a little below your usual speed. Each time something snags — a typo, a missing word, a sentence you'd never say out loud — add a note. It's pinned to the sentence being read.

When the read-through ends, open your notes and tap one to jump back to its sentence. Make the fix in Word, Google Docs or Pages; VoiceRead reads documents but doesn't edit them. Import the new version to hear the changes.

Notes pinned to the sentence — tap one to jump straight back
Your place saved in every document
Tap any sentence to start reading from there
Reader text from 16 to 28 pt on a dark reading surface

DOCUMENT TO VOICEOVER

Turn a document into a voiceover.

In Studio, start a new voiceover from a file, pick a voice and generate. Listen back with the text highlighted, then export the audio for a presentation, a training module or a video.

M4A you keepSave the voiceover to Files or share it to another app. Your first 3 downloads are free.Export options

WAV and captionsPro adds unlimited downloads, lossless WAV and an .srt captions file timed to the voice, plus commercial use of the audio.See Pro

MP3 Coming soonDirect MP3 export is on the way. M4A already plays in nearly every app and video editor.

FAQ

Word and text file questions

How do I get my iPhone to read a Word document aloud?: Open VoiceRead, tap File, pick the .docx in the Files app and press play. Each sentence is highlighted as it's read, and your place is saved for next time.
Can VoiceRead read Google Docs?: Yes, once exported. Download the doc as Word (.docx), PDF or plain text and open that file — or copy the text in Google Docs and paste it into VoiceRead.
Why does my RTF or HTML file show strange codes?: VoiceRead reads DOCX, TXT, PDF and EPUB. RTF and HTML files open with their formatting codes in the text, so save a copy as DOCX, PDF or plain text first.
Can I turn a Word document into an MP3?: Studio exports M4A, which plays almost everywhere MP3 does; Pro adds lossless WAV and an .srt captions file. Direct MP3 export is coming soon. Export options.
Does it work offline?: Yes. Once the document is in VoiceRead, the standard voices read it without a connection. Premium voices need to be online.
Is it free?: Yes. Listening with the standard voices is unlimited and needs no account. Pro adds premium voices and unlimited audio downloads. See pricing.