Fact · Dictation on Mac
Apple says that while VoiceOver is on, pressing the Control key pauses VoiceOver speech without affecting the audio of other apps, and pressing it again resumes speech.
Checked against its source on October 16, 2026
In the source's own words
“When VoiceOver is on, press the Control key to pause VoiceOver speech without affecting the audio of other apps. Press the Control key again to resume speech.”
Turn VoiceOver on or off on Mac (VoiceOver User Guide), Apple Support, 2026, Turn VoiceOver on or off on Mac, Temporarily mute the VoiceOver voice.
Open the original- What it measures
- Apple lists this under temporarily muting the VoiceOver voice, which is a separate action from turning VoiceOver off.
- What it does not show
- Pausing leaves VoiceOver running. Apple also says that if you move the VoiceOver cursor after a pause, VoiceOver begins speaking the item under the cursor.