How to Stop Headphones from Reading Texts (iOS & Android)

To stop headphones from reading texts, you must disable the Announce Notifications or Spoken Notifications feature in your device’s settings. For iPhone users, navigate to Settings > Notifications > Announce Notifications and toggle the switch to Off; for Android users, open the Google App, go to Settings > Google Assistant > Devices, select your headphones, and turn off Spoken Notifications.

Interrupting a high-energy workout or a focused deep-work session with a robotic voice reading out a grocery list is a common frustration for modern headphone users. While Apple and Google designed these features for “hands-free” convenience, they often feel like an intrusion. In my years of testing audio gear like the AirPods Pro 2 and Sony XM5s, I’ve found that while the setup process is automated, the “opt-out” process is tucked away in sub-menus. This guide provides the exact steps to silence those interruptions across all major platforms and brands.

Key Takeaways: How to Silence Your Headphones

How to Stop Headphones from Reading Texts on iPhone (iOS)

If you use AirPods, Beats, or compatible Siri-enabled headphones, your iPhone defaults to reading incoming texts whenever the screen is locked. This is part of the Siri integration ecosystem.

Disabling Announce Notifications Completely

To stop all notifications from being read aloud, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.


2. Scroll down and tap on Notifications.


3. Under the Siri section, tap on Announce Notifications.


4. Toggle the global Announce Notifications switch to Off.

Customizing by App

Perhaps you want to hear WhatsApp messages but block iMessage or Slack.

1. Go to Settings > Notifications > Announce Notifications.


2. Ensure the main toggle is On.


3. Scroll down to the list of apps.


4. Select specific apps and toggle Announce Notifications to Off for each one.

Using the Control Center for Quick Toggles

I recommend adding the Announce Notifications shortcut to your Control Center.

1. Go to Settings > Control Center.


2. Tap the + next to Announce Notifications.


3. Swipe down from the top-right of your screen and tap the “Bell” icon to quickly enable or disable the feature without digging through menus.

How to Stop Headphones from Reading Notifications on Android

On Android, the text-reading feature is managed by Google Assistant. This affects almost any Bluetooth headset, including Pixel Buds, Samsung Galaxy Buds, and Sony headphones.

Managing Google Assistant Spoken Notifications

1. Open the Google App on your phone.
2. Tap your Profile Picture in the top-right corner.
3. Select Settings and then tap Google Assistant.
4. Scroll down to Devices and select your connected headphones.
5. Tap on Spoken Notifications.
6. Toggle the Spoken Notifications switch to Off.

Specific Steps for Pixel Buds

If you are using Google Pixel Buds Pro, the settings are integrated into the device menu:

1. Go to Settings > Connected Devices.


2. Tap the Gear Icon next to your Pixel Buds.


3. Select Google Assistant.


4. Tap Spoken Notifications and disable it.

How to Stop Beats Headphones from Reading Notifications

Because Beats is owned by Apple, the behavior of Beats Solo Pro, Powerbeats Pro, and Beats Studio Buds mirrors that of AirPods. However, the experience differs slightly if you are using them on an Android device.

For Beats on iOS

1. Ensure your Beats are connected to your iPhone.
2. Navigate to Settings > Siri & Search.
3. Tap Announce Calls or Announce Notifications.
4. Set these to Never to ensure total silence.

For Beats on Android

If you use the Beats App for Android, you might still encounter Google Assistant interruptions.

1. Open the Beats App.


2. Check the Voice Assistant settings.


3. If Google Assistant is enabled, follow the Android steps mentioned in the previous section to disable the “Spoken Notifications” layer.

Advanced Management: Focus Modes and Do Not Disturb

Sometimes you don’t want to disable the feature forever—just while you are at the gym or in a meeting. Both iOS and Android offer granular control through Focus Modes.

iOS Focus Filters

You can set your iPhone to only read notifications during specific times:

1. Go to Settings > Focus.


2. Select a profile (e.g., Work or Fitness).


3. Under Allow Notifications, you can choose to silence Siri‘s announcements specifically for that mode.

Driving Safety

In my experience, the only time “Announce Notifications” is truly valuable is while driving. You can set Siri to only announce notifications when connected to CarPlay or a specific car Bluetooth system, while keeping it off for your standard headphones.

Troubleshooting: Why do my headphones still read texts?

If you have toggled the settings off and you still hear a voice, consider these common expert-level fixes:

• Firmware Updates: Sometimes a bug in the AirPods or Sony firmware causes settings to revert. Check for updates in the Settings or the brand’s dedicated app.
• Third-Party Apps: Apps like Telegram or Signal have their own internal notification settings. Ensure “In-app sounds” or “Voice announcements” are disabled within the app’s internal settings.
• The “Reply” Loop: If Siri asks “Do you want to reply?”, and you stay silent, she may continue to prompt you. Disabling “Reply without Confirmation” in the Announce Notifications menu can help reduce the length of these interruptions.

FAQ: Silencing Your Audio Experience

Does turning off “Announce Notifications” affect phone calls?

No. Announce Calls is a separate setting. You can still have Siri tell you who is calling while keeping text message announcements turned off.

Can I stop Siri from reading texts but keep the notification “ping”?

Yes. By turning off Announce Notifications, you revert to the standard notification sound (the “ding”) without the text-to-speech engine reading the message content.

Why does my Sony/Bose headset read the time every hour?

This is usually a feature called Voice Guidance or Activity Recognition found in the Sony Headphones Connect or Bose Music app. It is separate from your phone’s OS settings and must be disabled within the manufacturer’s app.

Will this save battery life?

Yes, marginally. Disabling the text-to-speech engine and the constant background listening for the “reply” window can preserve battery life on both your phone and your Bluetooth headphones.

Does this work for 3rd party headphones like Jabra or Sennheiser?

Yes. If these headphones are paired with an iPhone, they use the iOS Announce Notifications setting. If paired with Android, they rely on the Google Assistant settings.