Reading mode

Reading mode helps you with difficult to read text.

Reading mode

App stats

Version: 1.2.568206642 (Last updated: 2023-10-18)
Creation date: 2022-11-30
Permissions
Other:
  • view network connections
  • measure app storage space
  • read Google service configuration

Other platforms

Reading Time (v1.1.1)
3.72 (25) 2,000
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App summary

Designed for and with people with low vision, blindness and dyslexia, Reading mode helps improve your screen reading experience with a focus on customizable contrast, text size, text-to-speech, page clutter, and font types. Once downloaded, the app integrates into your quick settings and can be easily accessed across apps and web pages.

Instructions:

To get started:

1. Download and install Reading mode via Play Store
2. Find Reading mode on your home screen and tap to open it
3. Read the tutorial and it will redirect you to the settings at the end
4. In the settings, tap “Reading mode” and toggle on “Reading mode shortcut” to allow Reading mode to access your device
5. Please refer to https://support.google.com/accessibility/android/answer/7650693 to set up different Reading mode entry points

Key Features:

Focused reading view: Reading mode provides a customizable reading environment without clutter to make it easier to access content and focus
Text-to-speech: Hear written content read out loud to you at the touch of a button. Choose from a selection of high quality long-form voices. Easily accessible audio control options to rewind, fast forward, and change reading speed on the go
Adjust font type and size: Toggle quickly between font sizes, styles, colors, and line spaces to customize what’s best for your reading needs
Quick access: Once downloaded, Reading mode is integrated into the phone interface for fast access
Multi-language support: Reading mode supports English, French, Italian, and Spanish with additional languages to follow
Compatible with Talkback: Easily use Reading mode when using your screen reader.
Designed with privacy in mind: Content is never sent off your phone.

Join the https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/accessible to provide feedback and receive product updates.

Requirement:

• Available for phones on Android 9 and later
• Currently Reading mode supports English, French, Italian, Spanish

Permissions Notice:
• Accessibility Service: Since this app is an accessibility service, it can observe your actions and window content.

User reviews

These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews. Google Play Store does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate, spammy, or outdated.
Pros
  • Useful for reading articles and news, especially long ones
  • Adjustable reading speed and font size
  • Intelligible and good-quality voice
  • Convenient features like key combination shortcut to activate
  • No ads
Cons
  • Frequent glitches and crashes, especially after updates
  • Inability to read certain types of content (e.g., messaging apps)
  • Randomly turns off or fails to read content
  • Accessibility features are annoying and can interfere with other functions
  • Text is often read out of order or portions are skipped
Most mentioned
  • Issues with performance and glitches
  • Problems with the app turning off or failing to function correctly
  • Desire for improved compatibility with more apps
  • Need for better accessibility without intrusive features
  • Request for additional features like simplifying text further
User reviews
This app is really great. I love how it makes everything easier to read in dark mode with adjustable font size with 2 fingers on the screen. However, updating to Android 15 broke this app. I had to manually uninstall and reinstall to get it working again.

I love reading mode for most news sites, but the problem with this app is that on my Pixel 9 Pro it keeps toggling off on its own, for some reason. I do have "allow background use" turned on, so it's not turning off to save battery. Having to continually toggle it on is annoying.
by Mark Clark, 2024-11-03

Update: after update 15 Reading Mode turns off randomly, multiple times a day. On the plus side it reads some emails aloud but will often gives excuse that it can't read many emails because they're badly formatted. Relaunching Reading mode a 2nd or 3rd time will sometimes allow a previous unreadable to be read. Requires a too much extra effort to be "accessibility". The 2-finger-swipe-up is clunky. Pronunciations are pretty good. I don't see a way to correct the mistakes it makes.
by Ronald Pyatt, 2024-10-29
View all user reviews

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