GOOGLE PIXEL
How to turn on voice typing on Android (Gboard)
In short
Open Gboard settings, tap Voice typing and switch on Use voice typing. Then tap the microphone at the top right of the keyboard, allow Gboard to record audio the first time, and speak when it says "Speak now".
Honestly, talking is often easier than tapping out a long message, whether your hands are full, your thumbs are tired or typing is simply hard for you. Gboard types what you say in any text box. Pixels use Gboard, and so does our Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G (HyperOS 3.0.308.0, Android 16).
The screenshots are from our Google Pixel 10a with Android 17 (build CP3A.261005.005), in Dark mode, taken on 18 October 2026. We opened the keyboard in the Settings search box, said nothing and cancelled.
5 of 5 steps show a real screenshot from our Pixel 10a.
Steps
- 1
Open Gboard settings
Settings, System, Keyboard, Keyboard apps, Gboard (or search Settings for "Gboard"). Tap Voice typing.
- 2
Switch on Use voice typing
Ours was already On, as were Add punctuation and Automatically switch language. Advanced features needed an update over Wi-Fi first. The Redmi had Faster voice typing instead (download dictation, Off).
- 3
Tap the microphone
Open the keyboard in any text box. The microphone is at the right end of the suggestion strip.
- 4
Allow Gboard to record audio
The first time, Android asks. While using the app keeps the permission; Only this time asks again later. Ours then asked for access to contacts and accounts, which we did not allow, and voice typing still started.
- 5
Speak
The suggestion strip says "Speak now". Talk, then tap the microphone again to stop.
If you do not see this option
- No microphone on the keyboard? Use voice typing is off (step 2), or your phone uses another keyboard. Samsung Keyboard has its own voice input setting. Source: Type with your voice
- Mic greyed out or nothing happens? The microphone permission was refused. Settings, Apps, Gboard, Permissions, Microphone. Source: Type with your voice
If this does not work
- Wrong language? Voice typing uses your keyboard languages, so it will try to hear everything in the language it already knows, with some very creative results. Add the one you speak: add a keyboard language on Android.
- Without internet? Download the language for offline use in the Voice typing settings (Faster voice typing on our Redmi).
- Advanced voice typing not working on a new Pixel? Google says that after setting up a new Pixel, it can take a few hours for the needed updates to download. Stay on Wi-Fi, restart the phone and leave it charging overnight, then try again.
- Advanced features greyed out? Google says your primary Gboard language and your device language must be the same to use the Advanced voice typing features. Check both match, or carry on with standard voice typing.
- Microphone still does nothing? Don't worry, the first fix here is the gentle one. Google suggests clearing Gboard's cache in its storage settings. Clear data is the last resort: Google says it resets Gboard to its default state, so use it only if nothing else works.
Good to know
More Gboard settings: change Gboard settings on a Google Pixel.
Voice typing works in any app that uses Gboard, from messages to search boxes, and you can mix speaking and typing in the same text. I am telling you this because it matters for private messages: Google says that if you use Gboard's talk-to-text, your voice is sent to Google for transcription. To stop using it, switch Use voice typing off again, which also removes the microphone from the keyboard, or take away the microphone permission under Settings, Apps, Gboard, Permissions. For other keyboard changes, see change Gboard settings on a Google Pixel.
About this guide
- Device
- Android
- Shown on
- Google Pixel 10a, Android 17 (build CP3A.261005.005)
- App
- Gboard settings
- Path
- Gboard settings › Voice typing › Use voice typing
- Real screenshots
- 5 of 5 steps
- Checked
- October 2026
- Sources
- 2 official, linked below
Sources
Links checked October 2026. Menus and features can change with updates.Did this guide work for you?
Sorry about that. What happened?