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Dictate with TalkWriter on Android

On Android, the TalkWriter keyboard records your voice directly — there's no app switch, so dictation starts instantly and inserts text right where your cursor is.

Available on: Android 10 and later

Dictate from the keyboard​

  1. In any app, switch to the TalkWriter keyboard (see setup).
  2. Tap the mic button. The waveform turns green when it's listening.
  3. Speak naturally. With live typing on, words appear as you talk; otherwise the text lands when you pause.
  4. Tap the mic again to stop.
Push‑to‑talk

Tap the mic to toggle listening on and off, or press and hold it to dictate only while held (push‑to‑talk) — great for a quick word or two.

Dictate in the app​

You can also dictate from the Dictation tab inside the TalkWriter app — tap the big mic, speak, and copy or share the result. This is handy for longer notes.

Tips for great accuracy​

  • Set your spoken language from the keyboard's top bar so TalkWriter listens for the right one.
  • Add names and jargon to your Dictionary.
  • Want to speak one language and write another (or type Banglish → Bangla)? See Writing language & Banglish.
  • If the mic doesn't respond, check the Microphone permission and battery optimization — see setup, Step 4.

What the waveform colors mean​

  • Grey, thin — idle, not listening.
  • Green, with bars — actively listening.
  • Red — an error (no mic permission, lost connection). See Troubleshooting.

FAQs​

Dictation cuts off when the screen locks. That's battery optimization. Set TalkWriter to Unrestricted and follow your device's note in setup.

Live typing shows words then changes them. That's normal — TalkWriter refines wording and punctuation as it hears more context, then settles on the final text.

Can I dictate offline? No — transcription runs in the cloud, so you need a connection.

Still stuck?​

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