SpeechBeeGuide
Voice to text in WhatsApp
WhatsApp's microphone button records a voice message. If you'd rather your words arrive as text, use dictation instead. Here's how on iPhone and Mac.
By the SpeechBee team, who make SpeechBee. Checked on 13 October 2026
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Dictation vs a voice message
WhatsApp's own microphone button, next to the message box, records a voice message. The microphone on your keyboard is dictation: your speech is typed as text you can check and edit before sending. WhatsApp explains voice messages in its Help Center.
On iPhone
- Turn on dictation in Settings, General, Keyboard.
- In a WhatsApp chat, tap the message box.
- Tap the microphone on the keyboard and talk. Say "comma" or "question mark" for punctuation.
- Check the text, then send.
On a Mac
- Turn on Dictation in System Settings, Keyboard.
- In WhatsApp for Mac or WhatsApp Web, click in the message box.
- Press the Microphone key or your dictation shortcut and talk.
Press Return only when you're done: in WhatsApp, Return sends the message.
With a dictation keyboard or app
SpeechBee, which we make, works in WhatsApp too: a voice keyboard on iPhone and iPad, and one key on the Mac. It transcribes on your device and applies your dictionary of names and your snippets.
Text by voice in any app. 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.
Questions
How do I do talk to text in WhatsApp?
Tap the microphone on your keyboard, not WhatsApp's microphone button, and speak. Your words are typed into the message.
Why does WhatsApp send a voice note instead of text?
The microphone next to WhatsApp's message box records voice messages. Use the keyboard's microphone for dictation.
Keep reading
Sources
Checked on 13 October 2026.