Level 1 (4 points)

Speak Selection not working and missing from menu on iPhone

Anyone else found ‘speak selection’ isn’t working in the last week or so?

I use it all the time especially in Google Docs and other programs with no native option, as I’m dyslexic but hate full screen readers.

I’ve updated everything, reset the read/speak permissions in iOS27, rebooted my phone, deleted and redownloaded Google docs, but I still can’t get speak to show up in the menu.

Around a week ago the new vertical menu disappeared too which I suspect has something to do with it. If there’s a vertical menu, speak selection is there and works. If it’s horizontal, there’s no longer a speak option.

Anyone else had this issue? Is there a fix please? I’ve followed all the usual info plus other options I would normally try.

Posted on Oct 21, 2026 9:39 AM

2 replies

WheelieNick

Level 9 (74,110 points)

Oct 21, 2026 11:06 AM in response to Rhomany

Hi there

Please try this

iOS has a setting that changes how menus layout text. Toggling this can force the system text layer to re-render the edit menus.

Open Settings > Accessibility.
Tap Display & Text Size.
Scroll down to Prefer Horizontal Text.
If it is off, turn it on. If it is already on, turn it off, restart your phone, and check the menu layout again.[1]

Rhomany Author

Level 1 (4 points)

Oct 21, 2026 12:20 PM in response to WheelieNick

Thanks for the suggestion.

Did that twice, once toggling ‘on’ once toggling ‘off’, with restart after each.

Changed menu in Google chrome and Notes app vertical-horizontal-vertical, but no change at all in Google docs.

Still no speak option in docs.

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256380322