Typing is one of the most common activities on a Mac, whether you’re drafting emails, writing documents, or creating content. Luckily, Apple has introduced dictation on Mac, a powerful speech-to-text feature that lets you convert your spoken words into typed text, saving both time and effort.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to enable dictation on Mac, use it effectively, troubleshoot issues, and explore advanced AI alternatives for converting audio to text and video to text.
What Is Mac Dictation and How Does It Work?
Dictation is a free Mac feature that allows you to speak anywhere you can type. For Mac devices with Apple Silicon chips, it works offline in supported languages, while Intel-based Macs require an internet connection.
When dictation is active, your Mac listens to your voice and converts it into text in real-time. You can also use voice commands to insert punctuation, emojis, or new paragraphs.
How to Enable Dictation on Mac
To start dictating, you first need to enable dictation:
Click the Apple menu → System Preferences → Keyboard.
Select the Dictation tab and tick On.
Click Enable Dictation if a privacy warning appears.
For macOS Ventura or Sonoma: System Settings → Keyboard → Toggle Dictation on.
You can disable dictation anytime by following the same steps and turning it off.
Setting a Dictation Keyboard Shortcut
Creating a shortcut makes it easier to start dictation without navigating menus:
Go to System Settings/Preferences → Keyboard → Dictation tab.
Choose a shortcut from the dropdown or select Customize… to set your own.
Use this shortcut to start dictation quickly whenever needed.
How to Dictate on a Mac
After enabling dictation:
Open the app or document where you want text.
Place your cursor, then press your dictation shortcut or the microphone key on the function row.
Speak clearly. The Mac will display your words in real-time.
Say punctuation commands like “period,” “comma,” or “new paragraph” to format text.
Press Escape or your shortcut to stop dictation.
Tips for effective dictation:
Speak directly into the microphone
Say the name of emojis to insert them, e.g., “smile emoji”
Change languages mid-dictation using the microphone language option
While Mac dictation is useful, it has limitations: it stops after 40 seconds of silence and may occasionally malfunction. For more robust transcription, VOMO is a powerful AI tool.
Disable Voice Control via System Settings → Accessibility
Update macOS to the latest version
Save Time with Speech-to-Text on Mac
Typing long documents can be tedious. Using dictation on Mac or AI transcription tools like VOMO helps you save time, reduce stress, and improve productivity. Whether you need audio to text for interviews or video to text for content creation, these tools make speech-to-text effortless and accurate.
