---
title: Voice Mode
description: Speak to OpenChamber and hear replies read aloud.
---

# Voice Mode

Voice mode lets you dictate messages and have replies read back to you. Turn it on at **Settings → OpenChamber → Voice**.

## Reading replies aloud (text-to-speech)

Pick how replies are spoken:

- **browser** — your browser's built-in voices, no setup
- **OpenAI** — OpenAI's voices; paste your API key and pick a voice
- **OpenAI-compatible** — any service that speaks the OpenAI format; enter its URL and, if it needs one, an API key
- **macOS say** — the built-in `say` command, on Macs that have it

Once on, you get a play button on messages to hear them read aloud.

## Dictating messages (speech-to-text)

Pick how your speech is transcribed:

- **browser** — your browser's built-in recognition, no setup
- **server** — an OpenAI-compatible transcription service; enter its URL and, if needed, an API key
- **on-device** — a speech model that runs in your browser and downloads the first time you use it

## A note for phones

For reading replies aloud on a phone, the OpenAI or OpenAI-compatible options are the most reliable — mobile browsers limit the built-in voices.

## Related

- [Notifications](/notifications/) — get pinged instead of listening
- [Providers, Models & Agents](/providers/) — where your OpenAI key may already live
