Using Voice Dictation on Your Mac

Voice dictation is a convenient feature on your Mac that allows you to dictate text instead of typing it out. This feature can be particularly useful if you have difficulty typing due to a physical disability or simply prefer the ease and speed of speaking your thoughts aloud. In this article, we'll explore how to use voice dictation on your Mac.

Activating Dictation

To start dictating on your Mac, follow these simple steps:

1. Open an app that supports dictation, such as Apple Pages.

2. Once you've activated dictation, you can dictate in any app that supports it.

3. To turn off dictation manually, go to Preferences > Keyboard > Dictation and click Off.

Selecting a Microphone

If you have an external microphone connected to your Mac, you can use it with Dictation by clicking below the Microphone icon and choosing the connected microphone.

Switching Languages

You can also dictate in multiple languages and switch languages by clicking the current language in the feedback window and then selecting the desired language. You can remove languages that are not needed by clicking Customize and deselecting them.

Changing Language Settings

To change the language for dictation on your Mac, click on the Language pop-up menu to choose a language and dialect.

Deleting Siri Dictation History

If you want to allow your Mac to save and share recordings of your dictations, you can delete your Siri dictation history by going to System Preferences > Siri and selecting Delete Siri and Dictation History.

Improving Voice Recognition

To improve the quality of Dictation voice recognition, you may be asked if you want to share your recordings with Apple. You can choose whether you want to allow Apple and Siri to save your recordings by clicking on About Dictation and Privacy.

Turning Off Dictation

To turn off dictation on a Mac, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Apple Logo in the top left of your screen.

2. Select Preferences > Keyboard > Dictation.

3. Click Off to disable dictation.

It's important to note that macOS Dictation is different from macOS Voice Control. While both features allow you to control your Mac with your voice, Dictation transcribes your voice-to-text on the screen in word processing applications such as Apple Pages and Microsoft Office. Voice Control, on the other hand, allows you to control your Mac and instruct it to perform tasks with your voice.

Voice dictation for mac