Dictation only works when connected to the internet (iPadOS 14.5)

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Level 1

18 points

Dictation only works when connected to the internet (iPadOS 14.5)

I am using an iPad Air 4 running iOS 14.5. For some reason, dictation (the microphone next to the keyboard space bar) only works (is active) when internet connected. When I go offline, the microphone greys out and clicking on it causes the keyboard spacebar to operate. Years ago, you needed a live internet connection for dictation to work, but I recall that around iOS 12 or 13, Apple fixed that so dictation will work whether or not internet was connected. I have "enable dictation" enabled in Settings/general/keyboard.

I go into Notes or a web browser and dictating works until I turn off wifi. Then, the mic goes grey.

I am puzzled as to why this is not working. It works on my iPhone 12 Pro with the same exact settings. Is this an iPadOS bug? Anyone figured out a way to get this to work at all times? Thanks.

iPad Air, iPadOS 14

Posted on May 3, 2021 7:01 AM

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Answer 1

The_Lisa

Community Specialist

May 4, 2021 9:15 AM in response to n3ntjmatt

Hi n3ntjmatt,

It sounds like you are experiencing some issues using Dictation offline. We can get you pointed in the right direction for support with this.

To start, you mentioned that your iPhone does not experience this issue. Are you taking your iPhone offline when testing? If not, have you tried to take your iPhone offline and test again?

Also, are your iPhone and iPad using the same language? We ask because not all languages support offline dictation.

Check out this resource for more information about Dictation: Use Dictation on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Keep us posted.

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Answer 2

n3ntjmatt Author

Level 1

18 points

May 4, 2021 9:43 AM in response to The_Lisa

Both my iPhone 12 Pro and iPad Air 4 are running iOS 14.5 (iPadOS 14.5) and both are in English as I am in the USA. Yes, when I turn off wifi or LTE on the iPhone, dictation still works (the microphone doesn't grey out and I can continue to dictate into text). On the iPad, the microphone goes grey when I turn off data (wifi or LTE) on the iPad. Turn data back on, the microphone becomes active again (no longer grey). As I toggle data on and off, the microphone also toggles b/w active and non-active (greyed out). Seems like an iPadOS bug because I remember having a similar issue a while back on my other iPad and simply by trying multiple times of turning off data, on data, off dictation, on dictation, etc. etc. did I 'accidentally' get the dictation to stay active when data was off. Guess I will have to keep toggling things on and off until I can get dictation to remain active (non-greyed out microphone) next to the space bar on the on-screen keyboard.

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Answer 3

n3ntjmatt Author

Level 1

18 points

May 4, 2021 12:03 PM in response to The_Lisa

I contacted Apple and they were perplexed and said it should work. They had me follow the steps that I had already done to make it work. When the microphone kept going inactive, the tech seemed like he thought I was lying to him... then I sent him a screenshot showing it inactive. Seems like a bug that Apple isn't familiar with yet. I've seen several other iPad users report the exact same issue (dictation not working when not online) on iPad Air 3 and 4... makes me think it's a software bug that found its way from iPadOS 13 to 14.

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Answer 4

The_Lisa

Community Specialist

May 4, 2021 11:24 AM in response to n3ntjmatt

Hi n3ntjmatt,

Thanks for following up with us and sharing these details.

We'd recommend contacting Apple Support directly for further assistance with this. You can get started here: Get Support

Take care!

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Dictation only works when connected to the internet (iPadOS 14.5)

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