Dictation lets you speak instead of type in almost any app on your iPhone 7, from Messages to Notes. When it is on, a microphone key appears on the keyboard. It is usually on by default, but it can be switched off in the keyboard settings or restricted by Screen Time.
Quick Answer
Open Settings, tap General, tap Keyboard, and turn on Enable Dictation. Then tap the microphone key on the keyboard and start speaking.
How to Enable Dictation on an iPhone 7
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap General, then Keyboard.
- Scroll down and turn on Enable Dictation. Confirm if iOS asks.
- Open any app with a text field and tap the microphone key next to the space bar.
- Speak clearly, say punctuation like comma or period, and tap the keyboard key or Done when finished.
Dictation Commands
| Say | Result |
|---|---|
| period / comma | Inserts . or , |
| question mark | Inserts ? |
| new line | Starts a new line |
| new paragraph | Starts a new paragraph |
Troubleshooting
- No microphone key: check that Enable Dictation is on and that Screen Time, Content and Privacy Restrictions allows dictation.
- Dictation does not work offline: on older models like the iPhone 7, dictation needs an internet connection for most languages.
- On a newer phone, see how to turn on dictation on an iPhone 14.
- If a word keeps coming out wrong, add it to the iPhone dictionary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does dictation send my voice to Apple?
On older models, dictation audio is processed on Apple’s servers. Apple describes how it handles this data in its privacy information.
Is dictation the same as Siri?
No. Dictation types what you say into a text field, while Siri carries out commands.
Can I dictate in another language?
Yes. Add that language’s keyboard, switch to it with the globe key, and dictate.
Summary
- Open Settings, General, Keyboard.
- Turn on Enable Dictation.
- Tap the microphone key to speak.
- Say punctuation out loud.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.