Are there apps that read your text messages aloud and let you reply by voice?
Yes. Your phone can already read messages aloud and send your reply: on an iPhone you can ask Siri, and on Android Google Assistant can do it. Elsy doesn't read your messages, but she can read a letter you show her in a photo and send a short message to someone in Your circle.
For many older adults, and for anyone whose eyesight isn't what it used to be, reading messages or typing replies on a small screen can be hard. Here's what can read your messages aloud and let you answer with your voice, and what Elsy can and can't do.
Can Elsy read messages aloud?
No. Elsy is an AI companion you talk with, and she can't open or read the messages on your phone. But your phone can do it by itself. On an iPhone you can ask Siri something like "Read my last message from Antonio," Apple says. You can also have Siri tell you when a new message comes in: go to Settings, tap Accessibility, then Siri, and turn on Announce Notifications on Speaker. Then tap Announce Notifications and choose Messages. According to Apple, this works through the iPhone's speaker, supported headphones, CarPlay and hearing devices made for iPhone. It's especially useful if small print is hard to read or you'd rather listen than read.
Having the screen read to you
Tools that work by voice let you keep up without tapping your way around the screen. An iPhone can also read all the text on the screen aloud. According to Apple, you turn on Speak Screen under Settings, Accessibility and Read & Speak, then swipe down with two fingers from the top of the screen. You can also ask Siri to "Speak screen."
Can Elsy answer messages for you?
No, Elsy can't reply to your texts or any other messages. But you can answer with your voice using your phone's own features. Apple says you can use Siri to listen and respond to your messages, and in the Messages app you can tap the microphone and dictate your reply. That way you don't have to hit the small keys, which helps if your fingers aren't as nimble as they used to be.
Sending a short message through Elsy
Elsy has no keyboard: you talk with her. If you want to pass a short message to someone in your family, you can ask Elsy to do it, for example "Tell my daughter I'm feeling good today." She reads the words back to you and checks that they're right before she sends them. The message only goes one way and only to someone in Your circle, so it's not a way to reply to a text.
What else can Elsy do?
Elsy can help in other ways if your eyesight is poor or the screen is hard to use. If you get a letter or a medicine package you can't read, you can tap Send photo during the conversation and show it to Elsy, and she reads the text aloud for you. If the picture is blurry, she tells you. She also helps with your daily routines and sets reminders for medicines and appointments. And when you tell her about your life, she writes down your life stories afterward with your own words as quotes.
Daily routines and structure
Elsy can help you plan your day. Say "Remind me about the dentist on Thursday at 10," and the reminder arrives as a notification on your phone. That can give your day more structure.
Elsy on iPhone and Android
Elsy works on iPhone, iPad and Android, so you can get started on the phone or tablet you already have. You download the app from the App Store or Google Play.
How to get started with Elsy
Download Elsy from the App Store or Google Play, open the app and tap Talk to Elsy. You can try Elsy free for 3 days on your own phone. See how Elsy works step by step.
Alternatives to Elsy
There are other voice-controlled options, such as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. For messages in particular, your phone's own assistant is the obvious choice. On an Android phone, Google Assistant can read your messages aloud when you say "Read my messages," and you can send a message by voice, for example "Send a message to Mom," Google says. First you need to give the Google app access to your notifications, and according to Google some features aren't available in all languages, countries or on all Android devices.
How they compare
Siri and Google Assistant are built into the phone and can control it, including your messages. Elsy is something else: an AI companion made for older adults. She doesn't read your messages, but she talks with you about anything, remembers what you tell her, reminds you about appointments and medicines and writes down the stories of your life. You can easily have both on your phone.
Frequently asked questions
How do I set up Elsy to read my messages?
You can't: Elsy doesn't read the messages on your phone. If you want your messages read aloud, use your phone's own assistant. On an iPhone you can ask Siri "Read my last message from Antonio," and on Android you can say "Read my messages" to Google Assistant once the Google app has access to your notifications.
Can Elsy help with things other than messages?
Yes. She can send a short message to someone in Your circle, but she doesn't read or answer your texts. Beyond that, she talks with you about anything, reads a letter you show her in a photo, reminds you about appointments and medicines and writes down the stories of your life.
Is talking to your phone easier than typing?
It can be. Voice control can make technology feel more natural and easier to use if you'd rather talk than type, or if the screen is hard to see.
This is general information, not medical advice. Every situation is different, so talk to a doctor about yours.