Typing Hard? How to Text and Search With Your Voice
Small keyboards can be frustrating. Tiny keys, stiff fingers, tired eyes, and autocorrect that changes what you meant can make a quick message feel like a chore. The good news is that you don’t have to type. Every smartphone can turn your voice into text, and can even call people, set reminders and look things up when you ask. Here’s how to use them.
Dictation: Talk Instead of Type
Dictation turns your speech into text anywhere you’d normally type, like a text message, an email or a search box.
Tap in a text box so the keyboard appears.
Tap the microphone icon on the keyboard. On an iPhone it’s at the bottom right of the keyboard. On an Android phone using the Google keyboard, it’s usually at the top of the keyboard.
Start speaking at a normal pace and in a clear voice.
Tap the icon again when you’re done.
To add punctuation, say the words out loud, like “comma,” “period,” “question mark” or “new line.”
Always read it before you send it. Dictation is good, but it can mishear names or unusual words, and a mistake in a text to a doctor or your bank matters.
If you don’t see the microphone icon on an iPhone, open Settings, General, Keyboard and turn on Enable Dictation.
Voice Assistants: Ask Your Phone To Do Things
Your phone has a built-in helper that you can talk to. On an iPhone it’s Siri, and on many Android phones it’s Google’s assistant.
To wake it up, say “Hey Siri” or “Hey Google,” or hold the side or power button, depending on your phone. Then try things like:
“Call Maria.”
“Text David, I’m on my way.”
“Set an alarm for 7 a.m.”
“Remind me to take my medicine at 8 p.m.”
“What’s the weather today?”
“Give me directions to the pharmacy.”
“Turn on the flashlight.”
The assistant speaks and reads back what it understood, so you can confirm before it sends or calls.
How To Turn Them On
The menus differ between phones and software versions, so the easiest way is to open Settings and use the search box at the top. Type “Siri” on an iPhone, or “Hey Google” on an Android phone, and follow the steps. The phone will ask you to say a few phrases so it learns your voice.
Tips for Better Results
Speak clearly at a normal pace, not too fast, and not too slow.
Find a quiet place. Background noise makes mistakes more likely.
Say names the way they’re saved in your contacts.
Hold the phone at a comfortable distance, about the same distance as when you’d make a phone call.
Check the result, especially for important messages.
Keep It Private
Don’t say passwords, card numbers or other private details out loud in a public place, or where someone could overhear.
Your phone listens for the wake phrase (“Hey Siri” or “Hey Google”). If you’d rather not use that, you can turn it off in settings and activate the assistant with a button instead.
If It Isn’t Working
No microphone icon: check that dictation or voice typing is turned on in your keyboard settings.
It doesn’t hear you: check that the app has permission to use the microphone, in your phone’s privacy settings.
It makes lots of mistakes: try a quieter place, move closer, or speak a little more slowly.
It needs internet: some voice features work best with a connection, so check your Wi-Fi or data.
More Help for Hands and Eyes
Phones also have other accessibility features, like larger text, bold text, and a feature that lets you control the phone completely by voice. These can be a big help if tapping or reading is difficult.
If you’d like someone to set this up with you and practice a few commands, a Kendera Global session can go through it with you, step by step, at your own pace.
