Start here

First decide whether you need Dictation, Voice Control, or a real dictation app.

Voice Control drives the whole Mac and includes dictation. Dictation only turns speech into text. Turning one on can disable the other, which is why setup fixes so often fail.

Turn on Mac Dictation

System Settings, Keyboard, Dictation, switch it On.

Use speech to text on Mac

Press Fn twice in any text field, then say the punctuation.

Voice Control vs Dictation

Voice Control drives the whole Mac. Dictation only types what you say.

Troubleshooting

When Dictation will not start

Dictation is enabled but nothing appears, the shortcut does nothing, or the key you are looking for is not on the keyboard.

Dictation not working on Mac

Check microphone permission first, then the Dictation toggle, then relaunch the app.

Change the Dictation shortcut

System Settings, Keyboard, Dictation, Dictation Shortcut, or Customize.

Where is the microphone key?

Function row, microphone icon, on some models only. Others use Fn twice.

Commands

The command vocabulary

The spoken phrases for punctuation, line breaks, and hands-free clicking, plus whether any of it runs without a network.

Mac Dictation commands

Comma, period, question mark, new line, new paragraph, caps on, caps off.

Mac Voice Control commands

Say Show commands for the live list. Show numbers and Show grid for clicking.

Does Dictation work offline?

Sometimes. Test it in Airplane Mode, or use an on-device app to be sure.

Ergonomics

Pain, overuse, and typing volume

Load and setup, with the evidence stated at its real strength. None of this is medical advice.

Forearm pain when typing

Cut keystrokes first, then fix arm support and desk height.

Typing pain in fingers

Cut keystroke volume, lighten key force, then read the full guide.

Voice typing on MacBook Air

Same as any Mac: Dictation in System Settings, then Fn twice. No download.

Try it on your own work

Voice Type is on-device dictation for macOS. Hold a hotkey, speak, and release to insert text in any app. Your audio never leaves your Mac. Free for 7 days, then $19.99 once on the Mac App Store. No subscription and no account.

Start the free trial