OpenAloud Support

OpenAloud reads your EPUB, PDF and text files aloud, entirely on your Mac.

Contact us

Questions, bug reports and feature requests all go to one place:

We usually reply within two business days. If something isn't working, it helps to include your Mac model, your macOS version, the OpenAloud version (shown in Settings) and, if it is about one book, whether it is an EPUB, PDF or text file.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to run OpenAloud?

A Mac with Apple silicon (M1 or later) running macOS 12 or newer. Narration is generated on your Mac in real time, and Intel Macs are not fast enough to keep up.

How do I add my own books?

Click Open a book in the library and choose an EPUB, PDF or plain-text file. The library also includes public-domain classics you can add with Get.

Does OpenAloud need an internet connection or an account?

No. There is no account and nothing to sign in to. The narrator voices are built into the app and speech is produced on your Mac, so narration works with Wi-Fi off. A connection is only used to download one of the public-domain classics from Project Gutenberg.

How do I change the narrator or reading speed?

Click the narrator's name in the playback bar to pick from twelve voices (each has a preview), and use the speed control next to it.

A PDF reads in the wrong order or skips text.

PDFs that are scanned images contain no text to read, and some multi-column layouts are hard to follow. If a particular PDF misbehaves, email us and, if you can, attach it or say where it came from.

Where is my data stored?

Your books, reading positions and highlights stay on your Mac. See our privacy policy for exactly what is and isn't collected.