Change ChatGPT Voice and Language: A Simple Guide to the New Voices

If you talk to ChatGPT out loud, you may have noticed it sounds different this week. OpenAI rolled out a new voice model in mid-October with 13 new voices and better accents in several languages. If you don't love the voice you hear, it's easy to change ChatGPT voice settings and pick one that suits you. It takes about 30 seconds.

Here's how to do it, what's new, and a few ways to use the new language voices that I think are genuinely fun.

What's new in ChatGPT voice

On October 15, OpenAI announced an update called GPT-Live-1.1. In its announcement on the OpenAI community forum, OpenAI said the update brings 13 new voices and considerably better performance in French, German, Hindi, Mexican Spanish, Korean, Japanese, and many other non-English languages. It said the update was rolling out to all users.

Notebookcheck's write-up adds a few helpful details:

• English gained a new voice called Bubbie.
• German speakers get voices named Sonna and Miko, with new options for French, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, and Mexican Spanish too.
• Before this, the voice mode offered nine standard voices such as Arbor, Breeze, and Cove, all English sounding.
• The rollout is gradual, so if you don't see new voices yet, your account just hasn't been switched over.

How to change ChatGPT voice on your phone

1. Update the app first. Open the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android), search for ChatGPT, and tap Update if you see it.
2. Open ChatGPT and tap your profile picture or the menu to find Settings.
3. Tap Voice.
4. You'll see the list of voices. Tap one to hear a sample.
5. Pick the one you like. That's your new voice.

Notebookcheck notes that OpenAI says the voices you see may vary by region and account. If the list looks the same as before, wait a few days and check again.

How to change ChatGPT voice on a computer

On the ChatGPT website or desktop app, click your profile picture, open Settings, and look for the voice options. The steps are similar, though I find the phone app is where most people use voice day to day.

Changing the language

ChatGPT voice can understand and speak many languages. The simplest way to switch is just to ask out loud:

Please speak to me in Spanish from now on.

Or for practice:

Let's practice French. Speak slowly, use simple words, and correct my pronunciation gently.

The new voices are designed to sound more natural in those languages, so conversations should feel less robotic than before.

Fun and useful ways to use the new voices

Practice a language before a trip. Planning a trip to Mexico, France, or Germany? Ask ChatGPT to role-play ordering at a restaurant or asking for directions. It's patient, and it won't sigh if you ask it to repeat something ten times.

Talk with grandkids who are learning a language. If a grandchild is taking Spanish or French in school, you can practice together. Ask ChatGPT to play a game in that language. Our post on AI for grandparents has more ideas for using AI as a family activity.

Hear a family recipe or story in the old country's language. If your parents or grandparents spoke German, Hindi, or Korean at home, ask ChatGPT to say a few familiar phrases. It can be surprisingly moving.

Make reading easier on your eyes. If small print is a struggle, voice lets you ask questions and hear answers without squinting at a screen.

If you've never used voice before, start with our beginner guide to ChatGPT voice mode. It covers how to start a spoken conversation, what to ask first, and what to keep private.

How much voice time each plan includes

Notebookcheck summarized the voice limits from OpenAI's voice FAQ as of October 16:

• Free: limited access to a lighter model called Quip, with no fixed number of hours named.
• Go: three hours with Quip in a rolling 24-hour window.
• Plus: three hours with the full GPT-Live-1.1 in a rolling 24-hour window.
• Pro ($100 tier): 15 hours. The $200 tier removes the cap.

For most people chatting a few times a day, the free version is plenty to start. Plans and limits change often, so check what your own app says.

What if I liked the old voice better?

Some users on the OpenAI forum said a favorite voice sounded different after the update. If that happens to you:

• Go back to Settings, then Voice, and try the other options. A new voice may feel more natural after a day or two.
• Make sure your app is updated. Mixed versions can cause odd behavior.
• Give it time. OpenAI said continuous improvements to voice models will be the norm going forward.

A note on privacy and safety

Voice feels like talking to a person, which makes it easy to overshare. Keep the same rules you'd use when typing:

• Don't say your Social Security number, Medicare number, or bank details out loud.
• Don't share passwords.
• If a voice call from a "family member" asks for money, hang up and call them back on a number you know. Scammers can clone voices. We explain how in our guide to AI scam calls.

Common questions

How do I change ChatGPT voice? Open the ChatGPT app, go to Settings, then Voice, and tap the voice you want. Update the app first if you don't see the new voices.

Are the new voices free? OpenAI said the update is rolling out to all users. Free users get limited voice access on the lighter model.

Why don't I see the new voices yet? The rollout is gradual, and the voices you see can vary by region and account. Update your app and check again in a few days.

Can ChatGPT speak Spanish or French? Yes. Just ask it to speak in that language. The new update improved several languages, including Mexican Spanish and French.

Get comfortable with AI, one step at a time

Voice is one of the easiest ways to start with AI, because you just talk. If you'd like a friendly, large-print guide that walks you through ChatGPT from the very first tap, check out our book AI for Boomers.