VoiceRead support: how can we help?
VoiceRead support, on one page: how to get text into the app, what to do when a file or link won't open, and how voices, exports and subscriptions work. If your question isn't answered here, email contact@cheese-quake.com.
Your first listen in three steps
- 01Bring text inOpen a file, paste a link, type or paste text, or scan a page with the camera.
- 02Pick a voiceStandard voices are free and work offline. Pro adds premium voices, which need a connection.
- 03Press playThe sentence being read is highlighted. Tap any sentence to start there; your place is saved in every document.
Four ways to bring text in
When a file or link won't open
A PDF opens, but there's nothing to read
The PDF is probably a scan: a picture of each page with no text layer, so there are no words to pull out. A quick test is to try selecting a word in the PDF in another app. If you can't, it has no text layer. If you have the paper pages, scan them with the camera in VoiceRead instead. Reading imported scanned PDFs is coming soon.
A web page won't load, or comes out empty
Pages that build their text with JavaScript or sit behind a paywall may not load in VoiceRead. Open the page in your browser, select the article text, copy it and paste it into VoiceRead.
An RTF or HTML file shows strange codes
VoiceRead reads PDF, EPUB, DOCX and TXT files. RTF and HTML files show their formatting codes instead of clean text, so convert them first: open the file in a word processor and save or export it as PDF, DOCX or TXT.
An ebook won't open
Books bought in the Kindle or Apple Books stores are protected with DRM, and no other app can open them, VoiceRead included. VoiceRead reads EPUBs without DRM: public-domain classics, DRM-free purchases and your own files. For a store-bought book, try Speak Screen, which is built into iPhone and iPad.
The file isn't in the list
Tap File in VoiceRead and browse the locations in the Files app. If Google Drive or Dropbox is missing, install that app and switch it on as a location in Files. VoiceRead doesn't appear in other apps' Share menus, so save the file to Files first, then open it from VoiceRead.
Playback and voices
A premium voice won't play
Premium voices need an internet connection and Pro. If you're offline, switch to a standard voice: standard voices are free and work without a connection. If you've paid for Pro and premium voices are still locked, tap Restore purchase in VoiceRead's Settings.
Changing the voice or speed
Tap the voice in the reader or in Studio to open the voice list. Switch between Standard and Premium, pick a language and preview a voice before you choose it. Reading speed goes from 0.5–3.5×; Studio voiceovers use 0.75× to 1.5×. You keep your place when you change either. Voices and languages.
Listening with the screen off
Playback continues in the background, with controls on the lock screen. AirPods and other headphones play and pause; next and previous skip a paragraph. In the car, connect over Bluetooth as you would for any audio app. CarPlay is coming soon.
Highlighting, text size and notes
Each sentence is highlighted as it's read. To turn that off, use Highlight while reading in Settings. The reader has six text sizes, from 16 to 28 pt. There are no separate bookmarks: add a note while you listen and it's pinned to that sentence, and tapping the note jumps back to it. Your place is saved in every document.
Exporting audio
Audio export lives in Studio; the reader is for listening. To export a voiceover:
- In Studio, tap +, add your script, pick a voice and tap Generate voiceover.
- Tap Export. Name the file, choose M4A or WAV and the quality, and turn on the .srt captions file if you want subtitles.
- Tap Save to Files and choose a folder, or tap Share to send the file to another app.
Where did my file go?
Exported files go wherever you chose in the Files app, such as On My iPhone (or iPad) or iCloud Drive. Open Files and go to that folder. If you shared the file instead, it's in the app you sent it to.
Free downloads and Pro
The free plan includes 3 downloads in total, as 128 kbps M4A files. Pro gives unlimited downloads, 256 kbps M4A, lossless WAV and the .srt captions file. Direct MP3 export is coming soon; M4A plays everywhere MP3 does. More about export.
Subscriptions, restores and refunds
Plans
VoiceRead is free to use with standard voices. Pro is a weekly ($2.99) or yearly ($49.99) subscription with a free trial. There's no lifetime purchase and no student plan. Compare Free and Pro.
Restore Pro on a new iPhone or iPad
There's no VoiceRead account: Pro is tied to your Apple ID. Sign in with the same Apple ID, open Settings in VoiceRead and tap Restore purchase.
Cancel your subscription
On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app, tap your name (Apple ID), then Subscriptions, choose VoiceRead and cancel. Deleting the app doesn't cancel the subscription. To avoid the next charge, cancel at least 24 hours before the current period or free trial ends. You keep Pro until the end of the period you've paid for.
Refunds
Payments go through the App Store, so Apple handles refunds; we can't issue them ourselves. Request one at reportaproblem.apple.com, signed in with the Apple ID you subscribed with.
Still stuck? Email us.
Write to contact@cheese-quake.com. A few details help us answer in one reply.
VoiceRead is made by Cheese Quake LLC. Our privacy policy and terms of use cover the app and subscriptions.
- Your iPhone or iPad model and its iOS or iPadOS version
- The VoiceRead version, shown at the bottom of Settings in the app
- The file type or link that didn't work, and what you expected
- A screenshot, if something looks wrong
Common questions
- Do I need an account to use VoiceRead?
- No. VoiceRead works without an account, on the free plan and on Pro. Purchases are tied to your Apple ID.
- Why won't VoiceRead read my scanned PDF?
- A scanned PDF is a picture of each page with no text layer, so there's nothing to read out. Scan the paper pages with the camera in VoiceRead instead. Reading imported scanned PDFs is coming soon.
- Can VoiceRead read my Kindle or Apple Books purchases?
- No. Store-bought books are locked with DRM and no other app can open them. VoiceRead reads EPUBs without DRM.
- Does VoiceRead work offline?
- Yes, with the standard voices: files, scans and text already in the app, Studio voiceovers, and exported audio all work without a connection. Premium voices and importing a link need a connection.
- Do my documents sync between iPhone and iPad?
- Not yet. Each device keeps its own documents, notes and place for now; iCloud sync of progress is coming soon. Your Pro subscription works on both with the same Apple ID.
- How do I restore Pro on a new device?
- Sign in with the same Apple ID, open Settings in VoiceRead and tap Restore purchase.
- How do I cancel my subscription?
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad, tap your name, then Subscriptions, choose VoiceRead and cancel. You keep Pro until the end of the period you've paid for.
- How do I get a refund?
- Apple handles refunds for App Store purchases. Request one at reportaproblem.apple.com.