What does the F5 key (mic icon) do on a 2022 MBA?

Pressing it brings up a horizontal line over a circle with a line through it (see attached). I guessed it was a mic mute button, which would be AMAZING, but it seems to have no effect when testing using the built in mic and the voice memo app.

The help page How to use the function keys on your Mac - Apple Support does not say.

MacBook Air

Posted on Feb 13, 2023 10:54 AM

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1 reply

Phil0124

Level 10

216,638 points

Feb 13, 2023 11:09 AM in response to applerobert42

It should enable Dictation if you are in a location or app that supports it. This part of the response was dictated.

Check your input sound settings in System Settings ➜ Sounds ➜ Output & Input ➜ Input, and make sure a valid Microphone is selected from there.

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What does the F5 key (mic icon) do on a 2022 MBA?

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