Dictation on iPhone enables you to vocalize your text messages, narrate your notes, or speak to the keyboard anytime that you would normally type. It is a great feature that makes handsfree an easy possibility. Voice to text or speech to text is the best feature to write something without typing by using the microphone on the iPhone. You need to only tap on the microphone and speak whatever you wanted to write such as messages, notes, email, or anything.
iPhone Dictation not working ? How to Fix
Sometimes because of faulty software updates or damage microphones, the voice to the text does not work accurately or suddenly stops working. Many users find that Dictation stops working on their iPhone after an iOS update. This can be due to a bug in that particular update or it can be because it reset some of your settings. Sometimes, Dictation stops working because of problems with your:
- Microphones
- Restrictions
- Keyboard choice
- An internet connection
Here are the ways to Fix your Dictation not working on iPhone problems
1. Enable Dictation in your Keyboard Settings:
If Dictation is not working, ensure that it is enabled in your iPhone settings. Follow the given below steps to enable Dictation in your Keyboard settings:
- You need to go to Settings then General and then Keyboard.
- Then scroll to the bottom and tap the switch to Enable Dictation.
- You need to confirm you want to Enable Dictation.
- Then restart your iPhone by holding the Side button and either volume button. Then slide to power off.
- If Dictation is already enabled, turn it off and restart your device.
2. Power off Screen Time Restrictions for Siri & Dictation:
You used to access your restrictions through the General settings on your iPhone. Follow the given below steps to power off Screen Time restrictions for Siri & Dictation:
- You need to go to Settings then Screen Time then Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- You need to enter your Screen Time passcode.
- Then tap Allowed Apps and ensure Siri & Dictation turns on.
- You can also choose to turn off all Content & Privacy Restrictions from the previous screen.
3. Remove or Stop using third-party Keyboards:
Third-party keyboards such as Google’s Gboard may not offer Dictation as the Apple keyboard does. You can switch back to the standard keyboard whenever you want to use Dictation or remove your third-party keyboards altogether. You can download third-party keyboards from the App Store on your device. You can add or remove them in the Keyboard settings and switch keyboards anytime with the Globe icon.
- Follow the given below steps to switch keyboards on my iPhone:
- You need to tap on a text field to raise the keyboard.
- Then touch and hold the Globe icon to see your other available keyboards.
- Then select the Apple standard keyboard
- Follow the given below steps to turn off third-party keyboards on iPhone:
- You need to go to Settings then General then Keyboard.
- Then tap the Keyboards button.
- Then tap Edit in the top right and use the red circle to remove any third-party keyboards.
- Then tap Add New Keyboard and add a standard Apple keyboard in your first language.
- Then remove your third-party keyboards again.
4. Remove and re-add your Standard Apple keyboards:
If Dictation stops working on your iPhone, you can resolve this by removing that keyboard then add it again. Follow the given below steps to remove and re-add your standard Apple keyboards:
- You need to go to Settings then General then Keyboard.
- Then tap the Keyboards button.
- You need to choose Add New Keyboard and add any alternative keyboard.
- Then choose a third-party keyboard or a different language such as English (United Kingdom).
- Then tap Edit in the top right and remove your original Apple keyboard.
- You can also remove the Emoji keyboard if you have it.
- Then hold the Side button and either Volume button. Then slide to power off and restart your device.
- Then add your original keyboard and remove the new one.
5. Unplug or Disconnect your Headphones:
When you use Dictation with headphones connected, your device tries to hear you through the microphone on your headphones. This may cause the dictation problems. You need to unplug any headphones or disconnect them from Bluetooth and use Dictation again. Follow the given below steps to disconnect wireless headphones from iPhone:
- You need to go to Settings then Bluetooth.
- You need to find your headphones from the list of Bluetooth accessories and tap the ‘i’ button.
- Then choose to Forget This Device.
6. Restore your Device to Factory Settings:
Restore your device to factory settings erases all the content and data from your iPhone. It is better to make a backup using iCloud or iTunes. Follow the given below steps:
- You need to go to Settings then General then Reset.
- Then choose to Erase All Content and Settings.
- You need to enter your passcode and Apple ID password if prompts.
- When the restore complete, recover the device from your backup.
- If Dictation still not working on your iPhone, erase the device again and Set Up As New.
7. Reset Network Settings and Reconnect to the internet:
Some languages require an internet connection to convert speech to text on your iPhone. Because of network settings, Dictation stops working. When you Reset Network Settings, your device also forgets any Wi-Fi passwords you saved. It does not affect any other content or data on your device. But it is better to make a backup. Follow the given below steps to reset Network Settings and reconnect to the internet:
- You need to go to Settings then General then Reset.
- Then choose to Reset Network Settings and enter your passcode.
- Then reconnect to the internet and test your connection by streaming a short video.
8. Fresh Start to Siri and Dictation:
The voice dictation does not seem to work even when there is no problem with the Internet. In such a case, give a fresh start to both iPhone and Siri Dictation. Follow the given below steps:
- You need to open the Settings app on your iOS device then Siri & Search.
- Then turn off Listen for Hey Siri and Press Home/Side Button for Siri.
- Then disable Dictation by going to Settings then General then Keyboard and then Dictation.
- You need to force restart your device.
- When your device restarts, you need to go back to the Settings and turn on Listen for Hey Siri and Press Home/Side Button for Siri. Then enable Dictation.
Speech to text or voice to text is a handy iOS feature that allows users to compose something on their iDevices using its microphone in a hands-free state. There is no requirement to use the keyboard. You just need to tap the microphone icon and speak what you want, to send away as an email, text, note and many more.
Read More:
Free Antivirus Apps for Windows Phone
How to Search and Send Gifs in whatsapp on iPhone
Best Partition Manager for Mac
How to Download Fortnite Battle Royale on iPhone and iPad
