Natural Voice Reader

Natural Voice Reader Support

Support

Set up Siri’s expressive voice, add your first reading, and keep listening.

Contact the developer.

Include the app name, device model, system version, app version, and any error message. Please leave out private reading content.

Set up Siri’s expressive voice.

  1. Open setup in the app.

    Go to Settings → Set Up Shortcuts. Setup is also available beside Siri Expressive Voice in a reading.

  2. Install Natural Reader Audio.

    Tap Continue in Shortcuts to open the Natural Reader Audio shortcut. Choose an available expressive voice under Siri when asked, then add the shortcut.

  3. Return for the audio check.

    The app automatically checks that audio comes back and word timing can be prepared. When you see Setup Complete, tap Done.

  4. Open a reading and press play.

    Try the included story, The Quiet Hours, or add your own text. The app prepares narration in sections and reuses saved audio when you listen again.

Which devices and voices are supported?

Creating new Siri narration requires iOS 27 or later, Apple Shortcuts, a compatible expressive Siri voice, and on-device English speech support. Voice availability depends on your device, language, and region. Choose the intended voice in the shortcut’s setup question. On iOS 18 or later, you can play saved or shared readings. A shared .naturalreading file includes its own audio, text, and word timings, so it needs no voice setup or speech model. See Apple’s guidance on Siri’s speaking controls and expressive voices.

How do I install the shortcut without iCloud?

In the app’s setup screen, tap ? → Install from File, then choose Shortcuts in the share sheet. This uses the shortcut file included with the app.

The shortcut check fails or no audio returns.

Open Shortcuts and confirm that Natural Reader Audio is installed, its requested permissions are allowed, and its audio action uses the Siri voice you chose. Return to setup and tap Try Again. If actions are missing or the shortcut opens an old app version, remove the old shortcut and use Reinstall Shortcut → Continue in Shortcuts. Keep one copy named Natural Reader Audio, or enter its exact name under ? → Shortcut Name.

Audio arrives, but word timing is unavailable.

The app also needs a compatible on-device English speech model to prepare highlighting. Reinstalling the shortcut does not supply that model. You can import a shared .naturalreading file that already includes its audio and word timings.

How do I choose a different Siri voice?

Use ? → Edit Shortcut in setup and select an available expressive Siri voice in the shortcut’s audio action, or reinstall the shortcut to answer its voice setup question again. The app plays the recording returned by Shortcuts and cannot reliably identify the selected voice by name. Changing the shortcut’s voice affects newly generated audio; saved recordings keep their original voice.

Read, listen, and share.

How do I add text?

Tap +, paste or type your text, then tap Save. The first line is suggested as a title, or you can enter your own. To import a text file, open the … menu and choose Text File.

How do I import audio or a shared reading?

Open + → … → Import Audio → Choose Audio or Shared Reading. Audio formats include M4A, MP3, WAV, and AIFF. English transcription runs on your device when a compatible speech model is available; older systems may ask for Speech Recognition permission. A .naturalreading file already includes its text, audio, and word timings and does not need transcription.

How do I save audio for offline listening?

Open the reading’s … → Audio and Sharing menu and choose Save Audio. Wait for preparation to finish before going offline. Saved readings replay without generating speech again.

How do I share a reading with highlighting?

Open … → Audio and Sharing, save the audio, then choose Prepare Reading to Share → Share Reading with Highlighting. Send the file using AirDrop, Files, or the share sheet. The recipient can play it on iOS 18 or later without setting up Siri. Export Audio shares a plain M4A recording instead.

How do playback and highlighting work?

Tap a word to listen from there. Use the player to pause, adjust speed, skip ten seconds, or set a sleep timer. Follow Spoken Text keeps the page still until the spoken line reaches the bottom, then brings the next line into view. Your listening position is remembered.

What does “Buy me a coffee” unlock?

All features are already free. Settings → Buy me a coffee offers optional one-time tips to support the app. They are consumable purchases, with no subscription or feature entitlement to restore. For a billing issue, use Apple’s purchase and refund support.

Where are my readings stored?

Your library is saved in the app’s storage on your device. When iCloud sync is enabled, readings, completed audio, word timings, favorites, and listening position also sync through your Apple Account. You can turn sync off in Settings. We do not receive your library on a developer server. See the Privacy Policy for storage, deletion, and sharing details.