How to use voice dictation in WhatsApp on Android and iPhone in detail

  • Voice dictation in WhatsApp depends on the mobile keyboard (Gboard, iOS, etc.), not the app itself.
  • It allows you to convert your voice to text, with command-dictated punctuation and offline options.
  • For it to work properly, you must configure the language, microphone permissions, and always review the message before sending it.
  • It's a safe and free feature that you can easily disable from your Android or iOS settings when you don't need it.

How to use voice dictation from WhatsApp

Voice dictation is a feature that lets you write text based on what you say . It's different from WhatsApp audio messages and is perfect for users who don't like sending voice messages or typing. If you want to learn how to use it in your messaging chats, here are the steps to follow.

Where can I activate the voice dictation feature on WhatsApp?

Writing messages without using the keyboard, just with your voice, isn't a native WhatsApp feature . Instead, it's part of the tools available in Google's keyboard app, Gboard. It's identified by a microphone icon and can be found within the keyboard's functions. To use it, simply follow these steps:

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  • Log in to your WhatsApp account.
  • Open a chat.
  • Tap the bar to type a message, but don't type anything.
  • The keyboard will automatically appear, which is usually the Google Gboard application. If you don't have it, you can download it from this shortcut:

How to create a voice dictated message from WhatsApp

  • Just above the keyboard functions, at the top you will see a microphone icon. Be careful not to confuse it with the WhatsApp one, which is green. This one is white with a grey background.
  • Press the microphone on your keyboard and wait for the word “starting” or “speak now” to appear.
  • Get close to your mobile and Start talking as if you were sending a voice noteYou can do it slowly or quickly, but check before sending the message. Perhaps the interpreter understood a word differently and wrote it differently.
  • This tool does not use punctuation marks, it writes completely continuously, which you must modify so that the information does not arrive in a different orientation.
  • To finish just stop talking and press the microphone icon again. This will stop voice dictation and you can proceed to send the message from the WhatsApp app.
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As you can see, the purpose is different from a voice note, but it's used similarly. The only difference is that the result isn't shared as an audio file, but as a voice-dictated text message. You can use this option in any messaging app, email platform, notepad, text app, and more. Share this tip so other users can learn how to use this tool.


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