Support
Local Dictation: Voice to Text · last updated 24 October 2026
Need help or found a bug? Email localdictation.help@icloud.com. Please mention your device (iPhone, iPad or Mac model), its iOS, iPadOS or macOS version, the app version (Settings › About in Local Dictation) and the language you dictate in.
Which devices work
Needs iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 or later, or a Mac with Apple silicon and macOS 26 or later.
Works best on iPhone 12 or newer, iPhone SE (3rd generation), iPad (10th generation or later), iPad Air (4th generation or later), iPad mini (6th generation or later), iPad Pro (M1 or later) and Macs with Apple silicon. Older models show "This device may be too slow": dictation still works but can be slow, so try the free week before you pay.
Set up the keyboard (iPhone and iPad)
Open Settings › Apps › Local Dictation › Keyboards, turn on Local Dictation and Allow Full Access, then tap Allow. The last page of the app's introduction has a button that opens Settings and ticks each switch once it's on. In any text field, hold the globe key and choose Local Dictation.
Do I need Allow Full Access?
For Dictate, yes. iOS only lets a keyboard open its app when Full Access is on, so without it the keyboard still types, but Dictate can't start, and the keyboard shows you how to turn Full Access on. With Full Access on, your words appear in the text field while you speak, and the keyboard can switch the dictation language, show your transcript and clipboard history, and play key haptics. Full Access is used only on your device: the keyboard never connects to the internet. Turn it on or off in Settings › Apps › Local Dictation › Keyboards. Details are in the privacy policy.
How do I dictate in another app?
- With Full Access: tap Dictate on the keyboard. Local Dictation opens and starts listening. When it says "Swipe back to use", swipe right along the bottom edge of the screen to return to your app, speak, then tap Finish on the keyboard. Keep the text field open while your words appear.
- Without Full Access: Dictate can't start from the keyboard. Turn Full Access on (see above), or dictate in the Local Dictation app and tap Copy.
The very first Dictate tap opens the introduction instead. Each dictation stops after three minutes, and a phone call stops it early. You can also start with Siri ("Start Local Dictation") or put the Start Dictation shortcut on the Action button or Back Tap.
Free week and Local Dictation Pro
Typing on the keyboard is always free, and the introduction lets you try a dictation. To keep dictating, choose a plan on the Local Dictation Pro screen (it opens after the introduction, or from Settings). Monthly starts with a free week: you pay nothing for the first week, then $4.99 a month until you cancel. Cancel at least 24 hours before the free week ends and you won't be charged; dictation then stops unless you buy Lifetime. The free week is once per Apple Account. Two days before it ends, a notification reminds you (if you allowed notifications), and the Dictate screen shows a reminder too. Lifetime is bought directly, with no free week.
Local Dictation Pro costs $4.99 a month (first week free), or a one-time Lifetime purchase (US prices; the App Store shows your local price and any current sale). Typing stays free. Local Dictation Pro isn't shared through Family Sharing; each Apple Account gets its own.
The monthly subscription renews automatically at the same price until you cancel, at least 24 hours before the end of the month. The renewal is charged to your Apple Account within the 24 hours before the month ends. Lifetime is a one-time purchase and never renews. Terms of Use
Restore purchases
New device, or reinstalled the app? Tap Restore Purchases on the Local Dictation Pro screen or in Local Dictation's Settings, using the same Apple Account. It brings back Local Dictation Pro, including a free week already running. Restoring costs nothing.
Manage or cancel a subscription
In Local Dictation: Settings › Manage subscription (shown while Pro is active). Or on iPhone or iPad: Settings › your name › Subscriptions › Local Dictation Pro. On a Mac: App Store › your name › Account Settings › Subscriptions › Manage. Cancel at least 24 hours before the month ends to avoid the next charge; Pro stays on until the end of the month you paid for. Lifetime never renews, so there's nothing to cancel. To avoid any charge after the free week, cancel at least 24 hours before it ends. Refunds are handled by Apple at reportaproblem.apple.com.
The app takes a moment to get ready
The speech model runs on your device, so it needs a few seconds to load when the app starts. The first start after installing takes longer, up to about a minute, while your device prepares the model. Wait until the app says Ready.
Some apps don't show my keyboard
Password fields and some apps only allow Apple's keyboard. Dictate in the Local Dictation app and use Copy instead.
Mac
On a Mac with Apple silicon and macOS 26 or later, Local Dictation runs as an app; Macs can't use its keyboard. Click Record, speak, then click Finish Dictation. Click Copy and paste your words anywhere.
Mac mini, Mac Studio and Mac Pro have no built-in microphone: connect one first (a headset, AirPods or a USB microphone), or the app says "Connect a microphone to dictate."
Other problems
- "Microphone access is off": tap Open app settings and turn on Microphone. On a Mac: System Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone.
- "No speech detected": nothing was saved or inserted. Speak a little louder or closer and try again.
- "iOS paused transcription" or a dictation failed: open Local Dictation and tap Retry saved recording. Your audio stays on the device until the retry works or you tap Delete saved recording.
- Dictate shows the Local Dictation Pro screen: choose a plan (Monthly starts with a free week). Typing never needs Pro.
Privacy
Dictation runs on your device and nothing you say is uploaded. Read the privacy policy.