On iPad, you can dictate text instead of typing it. (If you’re using an external keyboard, see Dictate text while using an Apple external keyboard.)

Make sure Enable Dictation is turned on in Settings > General > Keyboard.

Note: Dictation may not be available in all languages or in all countries or regions, and features may vary. Cellular data charges may apply. See View or change cellular settings on iPad.

Turn on Dictation

  1. Go to Settings  > General > Keyboard.

  2. Turn on Enable Dictation.

Dictate text

  1. Tap the Dictate key on the onscreen keyboard, then speak.

    If you don’t see the Dictate key, make sure Enable Dictation is turned on in Settings  > General > Keyboard.

  2. When you finish, tap the Keyboard key.

    The onscreen keyboard showing the Dictate key (to the left of the Space bar), which you can tap to begin dictating text.

To insert text by dictating, tap to place the insertion point, then tap the Dictate key. You can also replace selected text by dictating.

Add punctuation or format text

While dictating text, say the punctuation or formatting.

For example, “Dear Mary comma the check is in the mail exclamation mark” becomes “Dear Mary, the check is in the mail!” Punctuation and formatting commands include the following:

  • period

  • comma

  • exclamation point

  • question mark

  • dollar sign

  • open parenthesis … close parenthesis

  • quote … end quote

  • new paragraph

  • new line

  • colon

  • semicolon

  • cap—to capitalize the next word

  • caps on … caps off—to capitalize the first character of each word

  • all caps—to make the next word all uppercase

  • all caps on … all caps off—to make the enclosed words all uppercase

  • no caps on … no caps off—to make the enclosed words all lowercase

  • no space—to eliminate the space between two words (not available for all languages)

  • no space on … no space off—to run a series of words together (not available for all languages)

  • smiley—to insert :-)

  • frowny—to insert :-(

  • winky—to insert ;-)

  • hash tag