How to Use Voice-to-Text Instead of Typing
Modern smartphones are miraculous, but the keyboards are maddening. The keys are tiny, our fingers aren't as nimble as they used to be, and typing a simple text message can turn into a frustrating battle with autocorrect.
There is a much easier way. You can dictate your messages, emails, and notes just by speaking. It is faster, easier on your hands, and often more accurate than hunting and pecking. It’s like the old days of dictating a letter to a secretary, except the secretary fits in your pocket.
Step 1: Find the Microphone Button Open the app where you want to type—like your text messages (SMS) or email. Tap the text box so the keyboard pops up.
Look for a small icon of a microphone. On iPhones, it is usually in the bottom right corner of the screen, below the keyboard. On Android phones, it is often in the top right corner of the keyboard itself. Tap this button once. You might hear a small "ding," and the keyboard will change to show a waveform or a listening signal.
Step 2: Speak Clearly and Naturally Hold the phone comfortably near your mouth—you don't need to shout. Speak at a normal conversational volume.
Say your message clearly. For example: "Hi Mary, are we still on for lunch today?" Watch the words appear on the screen as if by magic. If you stop speaking, the phone will keep listening for a few seconds, so take your time.
Step 3: Speak Your Punctuation This is the secret trick that makes voice-to-text work perfectly. The phone doesn't know when a sentence ends unless you tell it. You have to say the punctuation marks out loud.
It feels funny at first, but try saying this: "Hi Mary comma are we still on for lunch question mark I hope so exclamation point."
Your phone will turn the word "comma" into the symbol (,) and "question mark" into (?). Once you get the rhythm, you can write entire paragraphs without touching the screen.
Step 4: Edit and Send When you are done speaking, tap the keyboard icon or the microphone button again to stop listening.
Read over your message. Sometimes the computer mishears a name or a word. If you see a mistake, you can tap on that word and fix it with the keyboard, or delete it and say it again. Once it looks right, hit the send arrow just like normal.
Give your thumbs a rest and let your voice do the work. It takes a little practice, but soon you'll be sending long, detailed stories to your grandkids in seconds.