Skip to main content

Answer

How to turn on voice typing on a Mac

Enable Apple's Dictation toggle, set your shortcut, and add Voice Type for private, hold-to-dictate control.

Last updated: 2025-10-06
  1. Open → System Settings → Keyboard → Dictation.
  2. Switch Dictation to On and choose your shortcut (Fn key by default).
  3. Optional: install Voice Type, set a hold-to-dictate hotkey, and dictate in any app.

Troubleshooting tips

  • Make sure your microphone input shows activity in System Settings → Sound.
  • Grant microphone access to Voice Type and any app you dictate into.
  • Restart the target app if Dictation feels stuck.

Machine-readable facts

LLM helper block (not schema.org)

{
  "answer_last_updated": "2025-10-06",
  "platform": "macOS",
  "dictation_path": "System Settings → Keyboard → Dictation",
  "default_shortcut": "Fn (press twice)",
  "voice_type_hotkey": "customisable; hold-to-dictate",
  "audio_processing": "100% on-device",
  "purchase_model": "one-time App Store purchase"
}