iPhone and iPad users, learn how to save time and increase typing accuracy using these iOS 16 voice recognition and dictation features.
Speech recognition and dictation have come a long way in recent years, and with the updated features of iOS 16, both can be powerful tools for improving productivity and accuracy when writing emails. , replying to messages, or typing documents on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad.
In this tutorial, I’ll teach you how to use the powerful speech recognition and dictation features of iOS 16 to save time and increase accuracy in your daily tasks.
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How to Use Voice Control in iOS 16
Since iOS 13, Apple users can control their iPhone or iPad entirely via voice commands. To activate the Voice Control feature on an iPhone or iPad running iOS16 or later, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings and select Accessibility.
- Select Voice Command, and then select Set up Voice Command (Figure A).
- Set your preferred language and tap Continue when prompted.
- Tap Done to complete the setup.
Figure A
A download will begin in the background. Once the download is complete, a microphone icon will appear in your device’s status bar, indicating that voice control is active. You can now interact using your voice to perform common tasks such as swiping, tapping on screen items.
You can learn more about the voice control feature and the commands available in the Apple support documents.
How to Set Up and Use Dictation in iOS 16 for Accurate Text Input
Dictation is another powerful tool that can help you save time and improve the accuracy of your daily work. With dictation, you can enter text with your voice instead of typing it, which can be especially useful for longer emails, documents, or messages.
To use dictation, tap the microphone icon on your keyboard and start speaking. iOS will transcribe your speech into text, which you can then edit as needed.
How to turn hands-free messaging on and off with AirPods
If you have AirPods or other compatible Bluetooth headphones, you can take advantage of iOS 16’s hands-free texting feature. When a message arrives, Siri can automatically read the content to you through your AirPods. You can then reply to the message with your voice without having to take out your iPhone or iPad.
To enable this feature, go to Settings | Siri and search | Announce the messages and activate the option for your AirPods or headphones. From here, you can customize whether Siri always announces messages, only when you’re wearing your AirPods, or when your device is locked.
If you no longer want Siri to announce messages through your AirPods or headphones, you can easily disable this feature. Go to Settings | Siri and search | Announce messages and disable the option. After that, Siri will no longer read messages aloud to you when they arrive.