Voice Control can be turned off in your device settings, but the exact steps depend on whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, or another device
Voice Control is a built-in accessibility feature that lets you operate your phone or device using spoken commands instead of touching the screen. If you have it turned on and want to stop using it, you can disable it through your device's settings menu. The process takes less than a minute, and you can turn it back on later if you change your mind.
Voice Control is different from voice assistants like Siri or Google Assistant — it's a separate feature that responds to specific voice commands to open apps, make calls, or navigate your device. If you're hearing voice prompts or your device is responding to sounds you didn't intend as commands, Voice Control is likely what's active.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control and toggle it off.
- On Android, the steps vary by manufacturer, but usually involve Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control or Voice Assistant, then disabling the feature.
- Voice Control is different from Siri or Google Assistant and can be turned off independently of those services.
- If you turn off Voice Control by mistake, you can re-enable it the same way through Accessibility settings.
Turning off Voice Control on iPhone or iPad
Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. Scroll down and tap Accessibility, which is usually in the middle section of the Settings menu. Then tap Voice Control.
You will see a toggle switch at the top of the Voice Control screen. Tap it to turn the feature off. The toggle will change from green (on) to gray (off). Once you do this, Voice Control stops responding to voice commands immediately.
If you want to check that it's off, go back to the same screen — the toggle should remain gray. You can also test by speaking a command like "open Mail" — your device should not respond.
Turning off Voice Control on Android devices
The steps on Android vary depending on your phone's manufacturer (Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, etc.), but the general path is the same. Open Settings and look for Accessibility. This is usually near the bottom of the Settings menu.
Tap Accessibility, then look for an option called Voice Control, Voice Assistant, or Voice Interaction. The exact name depends on your device. Once you find it, tap the option and look for a toggle or button to turn it off. Some devices show an "Off" button; others show a toggle switch.
If you cannot find Voice Control in Accessibility, check whether you have Google Assistant or another voice service running instead. You can turn off Google Assistant by opening the Google app, tapping your profile picture, going to Settings > Voice, and toggling off "Voice Activation."
What to do if Voice Control keeps turning back on
If Voice Control turns itself back on after you disable it, a shortcut or accessibility button may be re-enabling it. On iPhone, check whether you have a shortcut assigned to Voice Control by going to Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut. Look for Voice Control in the list and uncheck it if it's there.
On Android, some devices allow Voice Control to activate through a physical button or gesture. Check your device's Accessibility settings for options like "Volume button shortcut" or "Power button shortcut" and make sure Voice Control is not assigned to either one.
If the problem continues, restart your device completely — turn it off and back on. This clears temporary settings that might be overriding your choice to disable Voice Control.
The difference between Voice Control and voice assistants
Voice Control and Siri (on iPhone) or Google Assistant (on Android) are separate features. Turning off Voice Control does not affect Siri or Google Assistant, and vice versa. Voice Control is designed for people who need to operate their device entirely by voice; Siri and Google Assistant are general-purpose voice services that answer questions and perform tasks.
If you want to turn off Siri instead, go to Settings > Siri & Search on iPhone and toggle off "Listen for 'Hey Siri.'" On Android, open the Google app, tap your profile picture, go to Settings > Voice, and toggle off "Voice Activation." These are independent of Voice Control.
Re-enabling Voice Control if you need it later
If you turn off Voice Control and later decide you want to use it again, the process is identical to turning it off. Go back to Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control (iPhone) or Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control (Android) and toggle it back on. Your previous settings and shortcuts will still be there.
You can also test Voice Control before fully committing to it by turning it on, using it for a few minutes, and then turning it off if it's not what you need. There's no penalty for switching it on and off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning off Voice Control affect Siri or Google Assistant?
No. Voice Control, Siri, and Google Assistant are separate features. You can turn off Voice Control without affecting your voice assistant, or turn off your voice assistant without affecting Voice Control. Each one has its own on/off switch in Accessibility settings.
Why does my device keep responding to random sounds?
If your device is responding to sounds you didn't intend as commands, Voice Control is likely on and set to respond to any sound. Disable Voice Control through Accessibility settings. If you want voice commands but only when you say a specific wake word, use Siri or Google Assistant instead, which require you to say "Hey Siri" or "Hey Google" first.
Can I turn off Voice Control without going into Settings?
On iPhone, if you have an Accessibility Shortcut set up, you may be able to triple-click the side button or home button to toggle Voice Control on and off. Check Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut to see if Voice Control is listed. On Android, this option varies by device and is not always available.
What if I don't see Voice Control in my Accessibility settings?
Voice Control may not be installed on your device, or it may be listed under a different name. On Android, look for "Voice Assistant," "Voice Interaction," or "Voice Commands." If you still cannot find it, the feature is likely not active on your device, and you may have a different voice service running instead.