How to Use Voice Typing on Your iPhone and Android in Canada

Voice typing lets you write messages, emails, and notes by speaking instead of tapping. It is built into every modern iPhone and Android phone, it works in English and French, and it is free. Whether your hands are full or you just want to get a long message out fast, here is how to set it up and use it well in Canada.

Step 1: turn on dictation on your iPhone

On an iPhone, voice typing is called Dictation. First, make sure it is switched on: open Settings, tap General, then Keyboard, and turn on Enable Dictation. On newer iPhones, dictation runs on your device for supported languages, which keeps your voice data off Apple's servers. On older versions, your speech may be sent to Apple for processing.

Once dictation is on, you will see a small microphone icon on the keyboard, usually at the bottom right or just above the keys. If you use more than one keyboard language, for example English and French, the microphone appears on each keyboard, and dictation follows the active keyboard's language.

Step 2: dictate on your iPhone

Open any app with a text field, such as Messages, Mail, or Notes, and tap the field to bring up the keyboard. Tap the microphone icon, wait for the listening indicator, and start speaking at a normal pace. Say punctuation out loud: "comma," "period," "question mark," "exclamation point," "new line," or "new paragraph." Your iPhone inserts them as you speak.

You can also format as you go: saying "capital" before a word capitalizes it in some versions, and you can say "smiley face" or "heart emoji" to insert an emoji. When you finish, tap the microphone icon again to stop. Read what came out before you send it, because dictation sometimes hears a similar-sounding word instead of the one you meant. If a word is wrong, tap it and pick the correction, or select it and dictate again.

Step 3: turn on voice typing on Android

On Android, voice typing comes through Gboard, the Google keyboard that ships on most phones sold in Canada, including Pixel and Samsung models in their default setup. Open any app with a text field and tap it. If you see a microphone icon on the keyboard, voice typing is ready. Tap it and start speaking.

If there is no microphone icon, switch it on. Open Settings, go to System, then Languages and input, then On-screen keyboard, then Gboard, and open Voice typing. Turn on Voice typing and, if you want it, the option for faster offline voice typing in your language. On Samsung phones the path can look a little different: look under General management, then Keyboard list and default, then Gboard settings. In most recent versions, the microphone also appears in the Gboard toolbar above the keys.

Step 4: dictate on Android

With Gboard open, tap the microphone and speak naturally. Like on iPhone, say punctuation aloud: "comma," "period," "question mark," "new line." Gboard also understands some editing commands in recent versions, such as "delete last word," though the exact commands vary by language and version, so test them before relying on them.

The keyboard stays on screen while you dictate, so you can tap the microphone to pause and type a tricky word by hand, then tap it again to keep speaking. If your phone is offline, voice typing still works for languages you have downloaded, though accuracy can drop and some commands may not work. For the best results, dictate while connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data.

Step 5: use voice typing in French

Canada is bilingual, and both systems handle French well. On iPhone, add a French keyboard in Settings, under General, then Keyboard, then Keyboards. Switch keyboards with the globe icon, then tap the microphone to dictate in French. Punctuation works the same way: "virgule" for a comma, "point" for a period, "point d'interrogation" for a question mark, "nouvelle ligne" for a new line.

On Android, add French in Gboard settings under Languages, then switch keyboards with the globe or space bar key and dictate in French. If your phone keeps switching back to English, check that the active keyboard language matches the language you are speaking.

Step 6: get better results and protect your privacy

A few habits make voice typing far more accurate. Speak in a quiet room and hold the phone at a normal distance, about 15 to 30 centimetres from your mouth. Speak at your usual pace and do not rush. Say short sentences and pause briefly at the end of each one. If the phone keeps mishearing a name, spell it out or type it by hand.

For privacy, remember that dictation can send audio to Apple or Google, depending on your phone and settings. On iPhone, newer versions process dictation on the device for supported languages. On Android, voice typing may send audio to Google's servers, and you can review or delete your voice activity in your Google account settings. Avoid dictating passwords, card numbers, or other sensitive details out loud, especially in public. Never dictate while driving unless your phone is hands-free and the law in your province allows it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is there no microphone icon on my keyboard?

On iPhone, dictation is probably switched off: go to Settings, then General, then Keyboard, and turn on Enable Dictation. On Android, open Gboard settings and turn on Voice typing. If the icon still does not appear, check that your keyboard is set to Gboard, and restart the app you are typing in.

Can I use voice typing without an internet connection?

Sometimes. On iPhone, newer models handle dictation on the device for supported languages, so it works offline. On Android, Gboard can work offline for downloaded languages, but accuracy may drop. If dictation stops working when you lose signal, that is the most likely reason.

Does voice typing work in French in Canada?

Yes, on both iPhone and Android. Add a French keyboard, switch to it, and dictate in French. Punctuation commands work in French too: "virgule" for a comma, "point" for a period, and "nouvelle ligne" for a new line. Make sure the active keyboard language matches the language you are speaking.