Related Article: If the microphones on your iPhone aren't working

iPhone voice to text not working

Voice to text is not working . The microphone is enabled and works in other apps, just not messages.



[Re-Titled by Moderator]


iPhone 12

Posted on Oct 13, 2022 8:39 AM

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Posted on Dec 20, 2023 3:03 PM

Suddenly there is no option to send voice texts in the messaging interface. The user-interface has changed. The microphone icons available only function in dictation mode.


*begin rant*

It's getting old dealing with large companies like Apple iOS and Google Chrome, Windows OS. Always making dramatic changes to core user interfaces and altering fundamental tasks. In there attempts to make life easier, make it more complicated. Can I get an amen?

*end rant*

42 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Dec 20, 2023 3:03 PM in response to MIKL6180

Suddenly there is no option to send voice texts in the messaging interface. The user-interface has changed. The microphone icons available only function in dictation mode.


*begin rant*

It's getting old dealing with large companies like Apple iOS and Google Chrome, Windows OS. Always making dramatic changes to core user interfaces and altering fundamental tasks. In there attempts to make life easier, make it more complicated. Can I get an amen?

*end rant*

Oct 14, 2022 1:30 PM in response to MIKL6180

Hi, MIKL6180


You'll need to make sure you're following these steps to dictate text:


"Dictate text

  1. Tap to place the insertion point where you want to insert text.
  2. Tap the Dictate key on the onscreen keyboard or in any text field where it appears (as in Messages, for example). Then speak.
  3. If you don’t see the Dictate key, make sure Enable Dictation is turned on in Settings  > General > Keyboard.
  4. As you speak to insert text, iPhone automatically inserts punctuation for you. You can insert emoji by saying their names (for example, “mind blown emoji” or “happy emoji”).
  5. Note: You can turn this setting off by going to Settings  > General > Keyboard and turning off Auto-Punctuation.
  6. When you finish, tap the Stop Dictation button.
  7. The onscreen keyboard showing the Dictate key (in the bottom-right corner), which you can tap to begin dictating text.

"


Dictate text on iPhone - Apple Support


If you still have issues afterwards, you'll need to reach out to Apple directly: Apple Support


Cheers.

Nov 2, 2022 12:27 PM in response to jmarse1

I have tried ALL of the suggestions from Apple, YouTube, etc. My microphone works everywhere EXCEPT to voice text in text messages and email. There HAS TO BE A PROBLEM. And I can see that others are having same problem during same time period. That suggests a problem overall for iphone 11 (I am on iOS 16.0).

Feb 13, 2023 7:22 AM in response to MIKL6180

This happened to me -- my ability to dictate texts stopped working intermittently, then stopped suddenly and completely. I tried to many things and nothing worked. Then, working my way through many troubleshooting tips on another site, it said to check for software updates (General > Software Update). There was an update to download, even though I have Automatic Updates turned on. I updated (to iOS 16.3) and it immediately fixed the problem! 🎉

Mar 11, 2023 2:44 PM in response to carlene153

I posted what I thought was a fix (go to enable dictation and turn it off and then back on) but I found that this only works for about 5 minutes and then it shuts off again. Question: do your share a phone plan with someone else? I ask because sometimes my daughter will do something to her phone and it links to my phone. Which is super fun when all of a sudden I get her texts!!! lol. but if she does something to her settings it may reset to mine. I know that sounds nuts but the struggle is real!

iPhone voice to text not working

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