Skip to main content

Dictate with TalkWriter on iPhone

There are two ways to turn your voice into text on iPhone. Both produce the same clean, punctuated result — they differ in where you start.

Available on: iOS 16 and later · iPhone and iPad

Option 1 — The in‑app dictate screen (most reliable)​

Best when you want to dictate a longer note and then send or copy it.

  1. Open TalkWriter and go to the Dictation tab.
  2. Tap the large microphone button. The waveform turns green when it's listening.
  3. Speak naturally — say punctuation if you like ("comma", "new line") or just talk; TalkWriter adds punctuation automatically.
  4. Tap the mic again to stop. Your polished text appears on screen.
  5. Tap Copy to paste it anywhere, or use the share action.

Option 2 — From the TalkWriter keyboard (dictate in place)​

Best for replying inside another app — Messages, Mail, WhatsApp.

  1. In any app, switch to the TalkWriter keyboard (see keyboard setup).
  2. Tap the mic on the keyboard and speak.
  3. TalkWriter transcribes your voice and inserts the text right where your cursor is.
Why iOS briefly switches to the app

Apple does not allow keyboard extensions to use the microphone directly. So when you tap the mic on the keyboard, TalkWriter captures your audio through the main app for a moment, then returns the finished text to your text field. You may see a brief switch to TalkWriter and back — this is an iOS platform rule, not a bug. On Android, the keyboard records directly with no hand‑off.

Tips for great accuracy​

  • Speak at a natural pace — no need to slow down or over‑enunciate.
  • Set your spoken language in the keyboard's top bar or in Settings so TalkWriter listens for the right language.
  • Add names and jargon to your Dictionary so TalkWriter always spells them correctly.
  • A quiet environment helps, but TalkWriter handles background noise well.
  • Dictating in one language but want the text in another? See Writing language & Banglish.

What the waveform colors mean​

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

FAQs​

Can I dictate without an internet connection? No — transcription runs securely in the cloud, so you need Wi‑Fi or cellular.

How long can a single dictation be? Long enough for paragraphs and full notes. For multi‑person recordings and transcripts, use Meetings instead.

It transcribed the wrong language. Set your spoken language in the keyboard's top bar (or Settings). See Writing language & Banglish.

Still stuck?​

Last updated on