How to use voice typing to dictate text on your phone
Learn how to speak instead of typing on your iPhone or Android phone to write messages, emails, and notes using your voice.
What you will learn
In this guide, you will learn how to use voice typing on your phone. Instead of tapping each letter on the keyboard, you can speak and your phone will type the words for you. This is useful when you find the keyboard too small, when your hands are busy, or when you prefer speaking to typing.
What you need
- An iPhone or Android phone with a microphone (all phones have one)
- A reasonably quiet environment for best results
Steps
Step 1: Open any app where you can type
Open any app that uses the keyboard. For example, open Messages to write a text, WhatsApp to send a message, Notes to write a note, or Gmail to compose an email. Tap in the text area so the keyboard appears on screen.
Step 2: Find the microphone button on your keyboard
Look at your keyboard. On an iPhone, the microphone icon is at the bottom-right of the keyboard, near the space bar. On Android, the microphone icon is usually in the top row of the keyboard or next to the space bar. It looks like a small microphone.
Step 3: Tap the microphone and start speaking
Tap the microphone icon. The keyboard will change to show a waveform or a listening indicator, which means your phone is ready to hear you. Start speaking clearly at a normal pace. Your words will appear as text on the screen as you speak.
Step 4: Add punctuation by saying it
When you want to add punctuation, say it out loud. Say “period” or “full stop” to add a dot. Say “comma” for a comma. Say “question mark” for a question mark. Say “new line” to move to the next line. Say “new paragraph” to start a new paragraph.
Step 5: Stop dictating and review your text
When you are finished speaking, tap the microphone icon again or tap the keyboard icon to switch back to typing. Read through the text your phone typed. If any words are wrong, tap on the incorrect word and correct it using the keyboard.
Step 6: Send or save your message
Once you are happy with the text, send or save it as you normally would. Tap Send in a messaging app, or Save in a notes app. You can combine voice typing with regular typing in the same message. Switch between them whenever you want.
Tips
- Speak at a natural pace. Speaking too fast or too slowly can reduce accuracy.
- If your phone keeps getting words wrong, try moving to a quieter place. Background noise is the most common reason for errors.
- You can use voice typing for long texts like emails. It is much faster than typing letter by letter on the keyboard.
- Practice with short messages first to get comfortable, then try longer texts.
Useful links
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Frequently asked questions
Does voice typing work without internet?
On newer iPhones and Android phones, basic voice typing works without internet. On older phones, you may need a Wi-Fi or mobile data connection for voice typing to work.
Can I dictate in languages other than English?
Yes. Voice typing works in many languages. Make sure the correct keyboard language is selected before you start dictating. The phone will recognise the language of your keyboard.
How do I add punctuation when dictating?
Say the punctuation out loud. For example, say 'Hello comma how are you question mark' and the phone will type: Hello, how are you? You can say 'period', 'comma', 'exclamation mark', or 'new line'.
Why does voice typing get some words wrong?
Voice typing may misunderstand words that sound similar or if there is background noise. Speak clearly, hold the phone close, and dictate in a quiet place for best results. You can always tap on a word to correct it afterwards.
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