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For Google Search in a browser, open Google Search settings, find Spoken answers, and choose Just show text if that option appears. That setting is separate from Google app or Assistant speech, TalkBack, Chrome’s page reader, and Android Reading mode, so first identify what is speaking.
Identify what is reading aloud
Match the speech to the symptom before changing settings. A Google Search preference will not silence a screen reader or a webpage playback feature.
| What you hear | Most likely source | Where to fix it |
|---|---|---|
| Only a Search answer or “Here’s what I found” after a voice search | Google Search spoken answers or the Google app’s voice settings | Search settings or Google app voice settings |
| Buttons, headings, notifications, or items you tap are read aloud | TalkBack or another screen reader | Android Accessibility settings |
| Text from a webpage is read inside Chrome | Chrome’s “Listen to this page” player | Close the player |
| An article is read after you activate a reading shortcut | Android Reading mode | Exit Reading mode or disable its shortcut |
| Conversational replies from an assistant are spoken | Google Assistant or Gemini speech output | That assistant’s voice or speech settings |
| Speech comes from a car, smart speaker, TV, or other linked device | Assistant or audio playback on that device | Check the device that is producing the sound |
Turn off spoken answers in Google Search
This is the first fix to try when a browser reads Google’s answer aloud. Google lists Spoken answers among its Search preferences, but available settings and labels can differ between phones, tablets, and computers. See Google’s overview of Search settings.
- Open Google Search settings in the browser where the speech occurs.
- Find Spoken answers.
- Select Just show text, or the equivalent text-only option shown on your screen.
- Save the change if Google presents a Save button.
Test with a new search in that same browser. If you use multiple Google Accounts or browser profiles, make the change in the profile and account you actually use for Search. Google says Search preferences can be saved with a signed-in account, but that does not mean this one setting controls the Google app, Assistant, Gemini, accessibility features, or every device.
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If the setting is missing on mobile
Google’s mobile and desktop Search settings may not show identical controls. A workaround reported in Google Search Community guidance is to use Chrome’s desktop view:
- In Chrome, tap ⋮ and turn on Desktop site.
- Open Google Search settings and look for Spoken answers.
- Choose the text-only option and save, if prompted.
- Turn Desktop site off again.
This is an interface workaround, not a guaranteed mobile path; it may not be available or work the same way on every phone. The steps are described in a Google Search Community discussion.
Adjust speech in the Google app or Assistant
If the Google app speaks after you ask a question by voice, its controls may be separate from browser Search. Try Google app → profile picture → Settings → Voice, then look for Spoken results, Speech output, or a similarly named option. The path and labels depend on the app version and device.
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Not every version offers a full off switch. Some Google Search Community guidance describes options such as All voice searches and Hands-free searches only; the latter can still speak responses when the phone treats the search as hands-free. See the discussions on Google app spoken results and the distinction between Search and Assistant responses.
- Voice input is using the microphone to speak a query.
- Spoken results are Search answers read aloud.
- Assistant or Gemini speech output is a conversational reply from that assistant.
- A screen reader reads interface elements and other on-screen text.
Changing a spoken-results setting does not inherently turn off the microphone or voice typing. It may also leave Assistant or Gemini speech unchanged; adjust those products separately if they are the source.
If the phone reads everything, check TalkBack
If speech happens when you tap or swipe, or includes buttons, notifications, and items outside Search, do not start by changing Google Search settings. The likely source is TalkBack or another screen reader.
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On Android, open Settings → Accessibility and check the active screen reader, often named TalkBack. Turn it off only if you do not want that screen-reading feature. Menu names and locations vary by Android version and manufacturer; Motorola’s support page explains the difference between screen-reader speech and Search speech in its screen reader guidance.
Accessibility shortcuts can turn a screen reader on accidentally. If the behavior returns, check the shortcuts configured on your device rather than disabling unrelated accessibility tools. TalkBack and Reading mode are separate features.
Stop Chrome from reading a webpage
Chrome’s Listen to this page feature reads webpage content, not necessarily Google’s Search answer. On Android, open the page in Chrome, tap ⋮ → Listen to this page, then use Close in the playback player to stop it. Google notes that the feature is not available on every website; its player can also have separate playback, voice, speed, highlighting, and auto-scroll controls. Details are in Chrome Help.
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Exit Android Reading mode
Reading mode is another separate Android feature for supported long-form content. If its reading screen or playback controls are open, exit that view or stop playback. To prevent it opening again, review Settings → Accessibility → Reading mode and disable the shortcut you use, if present. Exact menus vary.
Google says Reading mode requires Android 9 or later and is intended for Android phones. It can read supported content aloud, but does not support every content type, including PDFs, email, chat messages, and social feeds. Updating Reading mode and Speech Services by Google may help if its playback behaves unexpectedly. See Google’s Reading mode help.
Check iPhone or iPad speech separately
Do not use Android menu directions on an Apple device. Google Search in a browser and the Google app have their own voice features, while iOS accessibility features can read text independently. If speech happens outside a Google search, check the iPhone or iPad’s Accessibility settings and any active reading feature.
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If Google is still speaking
- Retest in the same app: A typed search in Chrome, a search from the Google app, and a home-screen voice-search widget may use different controls.
- Check the active account and profile: Confirm you changed Search settings in the Google Account and browser profile used for the search.
- Check shortcuts: Review accessibility gestures, buttons, or key combinations that can start TalkBack or Reading mode.
- Check audio routing: Bluetooth headphones, a car system, smart display, or TV may be producing the speech. Lowering media volume is only a temporary workaround and can mute other audio too.
- Update the relevant app: Check Google, Chrome, Reading mode, and Speech Services by Google updates if their controls or playback do not behave as expected.
- Restart and test again: After changing the relevant setting, restart the app and run a fresh search to verify whether that specific feature is silent.
Muting the whole phone is a broad fallback, not a targeted fix: it can also silence calls, navigation, alarms, and other media. Likewise, changing Search’s spoken-answer preference is not a universal switch for TalkBack, text-to-speech, webpage playback, Assistant, Gemini, spoken notifications, or audio on linked devices.
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