How to dictate voice to text on Android
On most Android phones, dictation is part of the keyboard. With Gboard, Google's keyboard, tap a text field, tap the microphone at the top of the keyboard and speak when you see "Speak now". The words are typed into the field.
Dictate with Gboard
- Open any app you can type in, such as Messages or Gmail.
- Tap where you want the text.
- Tap the microphone at the top of the keyboard.
- When "Speak now" appears, say what you want to write.
Gboard is Google's own keyboard and is free on Google Play.
Say your punctuation
Gboard understands spoken punctuation: "period", "comma", "question mark", "exclamation point", "new line" and "new paragraph". Google notes that this does not work in every language.
Advanced voice typing on Pixel
On a Pixel 6 or later, including Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet, Gboard has a faster mode that Google now calls advanced voice typing. You find it under Gboard Settings > Voice typing > Advanced voice typing features.
What it adds:
- Automatic punctuation, so you do not have to say "comma".
- Emoji by name.
- Spoken commands: "Send", "Clear", "Clear all", "Delete last word", "Next" and "Stop".
- Six languages: English, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish.
Google says that with advanced voice typing your spoken text stays on your device and is not sent to Google servers. The exception it names is the "Fix it" feature and detailed edits, which are in English only.
Samsung and other phones
Samsung phones ship with Samsung Keyboard, which has its own voice input, and they can also use Google's voice typing. The option sits in the Samsung Keyboard settings; the exact wording varies with the One UI version, so we do not give steps here. Installing Gboard gives you the same microphone as on any other Android phone.
Does Android dictation work offline?
It depends on the phone and the mode. On Pixel 6 and later, advanced voice typing keeps speech on the device. For other phones, Google's help page does not say which languages work offline, so test it: turn on Airplane mode, open a note and tap the microphone.
Dictating into documents
Google Docs on a computer has its own voice typing under the Tools menu. On a phone, use the keyboard's microphone in any app, Docs included. See Google Docs and Word.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the microphone on the Android keyboard?
In Gboard it is at the top of the keyboard. Tap it and speak when "Speak now" appears.
Is voice typing on Android free?
Yes. Gboard and its voice typing cost nothing.
Is Android voice typing private?
On Pixel 6 and later with advanced voice typing, Google says spoken text stays on the device, except for the "Fix it" feature and detailed edits. For other phones and modes, check the keyboard's own privacy information.
Why are my punctuation words typed out?
Spoken punctuation is not supported in every language. On Pixel, turn on advanced voice typing to get automatic punctuation.
Sources
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