Official documentation
Customize Voice Control on Mac
Apple Support, Mac User Guide, 2026
Read the originalRead on October 16, 2026
- What it is
- Apple's help page on Voice Control settings. It covers turning standard commands on or off, creating custom commands and naming rules, and importing, exporting and deleting custom commands.
- How much weight it carries
- Official Apple documentation, read on 2026-10-16. Menu names change between macOS releases, so check the page for your version if a label differs. The page does not say how many standard commands exist.
Facts taken from this source
- Apple advises naming a custom Voice Control command with two or more words and avoiding names with a single syllable.
“Use two or more words, and avoid names with a single syllable.” (Create your own commands)
- For a custom command with the Paste Text action, you must enter the text to be pasted when you create the command, and it is pasted each time you say the command.
“For Paste Text, you must enter the text to be pasted whenever you say your command.” (Customize Voice Control on Mac: creating a custom command)
- To delete one custom Voice Control command, you select it in the Custom section at the top of the Commands list and then delete it.
“Delete one custom command: Click Commands, select the command to delete in the Custom section at the top of the commands list” (Customize Voice Control on Mac: delete custom commands)
- If a custom command uses a name that another command already uses, Voice Control shows a warning icon next to the duplicate commands in the list.
“Don't use names that are used for other commands. If you do, a warning icon appears next to the duplicate commands in the list of commands.” (Create your own commands)
- When you export custom Voice Control commands, the apps, documents, Shortcuts and Automator Workflows they refer to are not included, so you must move those files separately.
“Files referenced by custom commands, such as apps, documents, Shortcuts, and Automator Workflows, are not included in the export and must be transferred separately.” (Export custom commands)
- Saying Make this speakable opens the New Voice Control Command window, where you give the command a name, an app and an action.
“to open the New Voice Control Command window. Then specify the command name, an app, and an action.” (Create your own commands (tip))
- Most Voice Control commands are on by default, and you can turn individual commands off in the Commands list.
“Most Voice Control commands are on by default, but you can customize commands to suit your needs.” (Customize Voice Control)
- In Voice Control settings, the overlay can be set to always show item names, numbers or a numbered grid, and a separate setting can dim it after a period of inactivity.
“Fade overlay after inactivity: When item names, numbers, or a numbered grid are shown, dim the overlay after the specified period of inactivity.” (Customize Voice Control on Mac: Voice Control settings)
- A standard Voice Control command works only while its checkbox is selected in the Commands list; deselecting it turns the command off.
“Voice Control listens only for selected commands.” (Turn standard commands on or off)