How do you enable dictation with smart keyboard?

At the far right of the 'mini bar' that pops up at the bottom of the screen, there's a downward-facing arrow - press and hold it and the software keyboard should pop up, including the microphone dictation button.

That is absolutely excellent. You have no idea how happy I am that you have posted this simple fix. I bought the iPad pro on the day it came out and I have been frustrated by this lack of functionality until this very moment when I saw your post. It works perfectly now.

Interestingly, I rang Apple support a number of times over the last 12 or 18 months and they didn't know how to fix it and they said it was a shortcoming. They gave me that silly work around with the emoji as well which was more pain than it was worth.

Thank you! 🙂😁

I have the answer to this as I had the same issue. Here are the steps:

1. Go to settings>keyboard>enable dictation and switch this lever to "on"

2. Turn off WiFi

3. Disengage the smart keyboard completely

4. Go to texting. The microphone will be there now.

5. Dictate your message

6. Turn WiFi back on

7. Send msg.

Thanks Scott! That seems to be the easiest work around until Apple adds a shortcut to the "Touch Bar" shortcut (I would recommend placing a "soft" key directly to the left of the Copy/Paste feature 😉 Thanks Apple!

I have a new Logitech Slim Combo. It has a keyboard symbol on the top row, in the 5th position. Pressing it toggles the on-screen keyboard, which makes the dictation key available. I wondered how I would make dictation work since the emoji hack did not seem to work. I finally saw the keyboard symbol, to realize this keypad solves the problem very well.

WWorking on same question for same reason. Will let you know if we figure it out

I found way short term is to Put Emoji on key board then put one on screen and then delete and then key board will stay. but there is something wrong and hope they fix in next update

I appreciate the response SSTEIN. I'm not sure what you mean by "put the emoji on" though. I think I found the way to do it though. You have to go to the settings and allow custom keyboards. It mentions a security issue but that seems to relate to external keyboards? Once that customization was made , the microphone shows up.

Not sure what you mean by settings?? as i tried to add custom keyboard and there is nothing under General/ keyboard/ and nothing under for where you can add custom?

I use Logitec and works great with new Ipad. using onscreen butt pictation works.

Sorry Dictation works good.

you are correct and have found the answer until Apple corrects the program.

To repeat:

Place any emoji , on the document, then hit ABC, then the software keyboard comes up with the dictation microphone! Works great!

GREAT workaround!! Thanks

That is a good workaround. Thanks.