SpeechBee

Guide

Voice text messages on iPhone

Texting by voice on iPhone means one of two things. Dictation turns what you say into a typed message. An audio message sends a recording, with a transcript in some languages. Here's how to do both, and when each is better.

By the SpeechBee team, who make SpeechBee. Checked against Apple's iPhone User Guide on 12 October 2026

On this page
  1. Dictate a text message
  2. Send an audio message
  3. Which to use
  4. Dictating with a voice keyboard
  5. Questions
  6. Keep reading
  7. Sources

Dictate a text message

Turn on dictation in Settings, General, Keyboard. In Messages, tap the text field, tap the microphone on the keyboard, and talk. Say "comma" or "question mark" for punctuation. Check the words before you send. Full guide: how to dictate on iPhone.

Dictation is best when the other person would rather read than listen, or is somewhere they can't play audio.

Send an audio message

  1. Open a conversation in Messages.
  2. Tap the plus button, then tap Audio, and start speaking.
  3. Tap to pause or end, then send, listen back, add more, or cancel.

Apple says audio messages can include a transcript of what's said, in select languages. Unless you tap Keep, an audio message is deleted from your iPhone 2 minutes after you send or listen to it. Recipients have 2 minutes after listening to tap Keep. To save one, touch and hold it and choose Save to Voice Memos.

Which to use

Dictated textAudio message
Recipient getsTextA recording, with a transcript in some languages
Easy to skimYesLess so
Carries your toneLessYes
Good forWork, groups, quiet placesFriends, family, nuance

Dictating with a voice keyboard

SpeechBee, which we make, adds a voice keyboard for iPhone and iPad that transcribes on your device, removes filler words in English, German, Spanish and French, and applies your dictionary of names and your snippets. Switch to it in Messages, talk, and the text lands in the field.

Dictate texts on iPhone, on device. Free for 7 days.

Voice to text and Read Aloud on your Mac, iPhone and iPad. After the week, $9 a month, $79 a year, or $99 once. Every plan has every feature.

Download for MacGet it for iPhone & iPad

Questions

How do I voice text on iPhone?

Tap the microphone on the keyboard in Messages and speak, then send. Or send an audio message by tapping the plus button, then Audio.

Why do my audio messages disappear?

They're deleted 2 minutes after sending or listening unless you tap Keep. You can also save them to Voice Memos.

Does the recipient see a transcript of my audio message?

Apple says audio messages include transcripts in select languages.

Keep reading

Sources

All checked on 12 October 2026.