---
title: "Voice to text in WhatsApp on iPhone and Mac"
description: "How to type WhatsApp messages by voice: the microphone on the iPhone keyboard, Mac Dictation in WhatsApp for Mac, and the difference between dictating a message and sending a voice message."
url: "https://speechbee.app/guides/voice-to-text-whatsapp"
---

# 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.

> ### The short version
>
> - **iPhone:** tap the WhatsApp message box, then tap the microphone on the **keyboard**, not WhatsApp's own microphone button.
> - **Mac:** turn on Dictation in **System Settings**, **Keyboard**, click in the WhatsApp message box and press the Microphone key.

## 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

1. Turn on dictation in **Settings**, **General**, **Keyboard**.
2. In a WhatsApp chat, tap the message box.
3. Tap the microphone on the keyboard and talk. Say "comma" or "question mark" for punctuation.
4. Check the text, then send.

## On a Mac

1. Turn on **Dictation** in **System Settings**, **Keyboard**.
2. In WhatsApp for Mac or WhatsApp Web, click in the message box.
3. 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.

## 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

- [Voice text messages on iPhone](https://speechbee.app/guides/voice-text-message-iphone)
- [How to dictate on iPhone](https://speechbee.app/guides/how-to-dictate-on-iphone)

## More on dictation

- [Every dictation guide and comparison](https://speechbee.app/guides/voice-typing-mac)
- [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)
- [Wispr Flow review](https://speechbee.app/compare/wispr-flow-review)
- [Wispr Flow vs SpeechBee](https://speechbee.app/compare/wispr-flow-vs-speechbee)
- [Every read-aloud guide and comparison](https://speechbee.app/guides/read-text-aloud)

## Sources

Checked on 13 October 2026.

- [Apple: Dictate text on iPhone](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/dictate-text-iph2c0651d2/ios)
- [Apple: Use Dictation on Mac](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-dictation-mh40584/mac)
- [WhatsApp Help Center: How to send voice messages](https://faq.whatsapp.com/657157755756612/)
- SpeechBee facts from our [homepage](https://speechbee.app/) and [privacy policy](https://speechbee.app/privacy)