---
title: "Voice text messages on iPhone: dictate a text or send an audio message"
description: "Two ways to text by voice on iPhone: dictate so your words are typed, or send an audio message with a transcript. How to do each in Messages, how audio messages are kept or deleted, and which to use when."
url: "https://speechbee.app/guides/voice-text-message-iphone"
---

# 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.

> ### The short version
>
> - **Dictate a text:** tap the microphone on the keyboard and talk.
> - **Send an audio message:** in a conversation, tap the plus button, tap **Audio**, and speak.

## 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](https://speechbee.app/guides/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 text | Audio message |
|---|---|---|
| Recipient gets | Text | A recording, with a transcript in some languages |
| Easy to skim | Yes | Less so |
| Carries your tone | Less | Yes |
| Good for | Work, groups, quiet places | Friends, 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.

## 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

- [How to dictate on iPhone](https://speechbee.app/guides/how-to-dictate-on-iphone)
- [Voice typing on iPhone keyboards](https://speechbee.app/guides/voice-typing-iphone-keyboard)
- [The best dictation apps for iPhone](https://speechbee.app/compare/best-dictation-app-iphone)

## More on dictation

- [Every dictation guide and comparison](https://speechbee.app/guides/voice-typing-mac)
- [Dictate notes](https://speechbee.app/guides/dictate-notes-mac)
- [Voice to text in WhatsApp](https://speechbee.app/guides/voice-to-text-whatsapp)
- [Best dictation apps for Mac](https://speechbee.app/compare/best-dictation-app-mac)
- [Wispr Flow alternatives](https://speechbee.app/compare/wispr-flow-alternatives)
- [Wispr Flow pricing](https://speechbee.app/compare/wispr-flow-pricing)
- [Every read-aloud guide and comparison](https://speechbee.app/guides/read-text-aloud)

## Sources

All checked on 12 October 2026.

- [Apple: Send and receive audio messages in Messages on iPhone](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iph2e42d3117/ios)
- [Apple: Dictate text on iPhone](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/dictate-text-iph2c0651d2/ios)
- SpeechBee facts from our [homepage](https://speechbee.app/) and [privacy policy](https://speechbee.app/privacy)