A common problem for Apple iPhone users is the microphone is missing from the keyboard. Users expect it to appear in the lower-left corner of the keyboard when using any app. There are a couple of things you can check to solve this issue.
Fix 1 – Enable Dictation
Enable Dictation under “Settings” > “General” > “Keyboard” > “Enable Dictation” > “On“.
Fix 2 – Enable Siri
Enable Siri under “Settings” > “Siri” > “On” > “Enable Siri“.
Fix 3 – Restart App
In some instances, I have seen the microphone go missing or become grayed out within specific apps. This happens frequently to me in the Google Hangouts app. Close, the app by double-tapping on the Home button, then swiping the app upward off the screen. From there, start the app again by selecting the icon on the Home screen. The microphone should then appear on the keyboard.
Fix 4 – Restart Phone
Sometimes, even if Siri is enabled and you’ve closed the app, you’ll still have problems with the microphone. Shut the phone off by unlocking the screen, then pressing and holding the “Power” button for about 5 seconds. From there, switch the “Slide to power off” option.
Fix 5 – Remove 3rd Party Keyboards
If you have installed any 3rd party keyboards, like Google’s Gboard, that might be the reason you don’t have the microphone option. Remove the keyboard app or switch to a different keyboard to get the microphone back.
Stephen says
The microphone icon was missing from the Notes app. It was due to Screen Time being enabled.
Jessie says
I’m looking for the mic that used to be in the message bar. I could sing happy birthday to my grand children instead of just talking in the bottom mic
Eric says
Yes! Thank you the Screen Time Siri thing worked for me too
Rebeka says
Really odd but the words enable dictation are missing. I also did a search in settings and it says what you said. But the words aren’t there
I have iPhone 7 iOS 13.x
I was originally resetting some privacy things then the microphone disappeared
Any ideas?
I restarted the phone too. Same issue
Josue says
This was awesome because of this I regained all my data and contents
S says
No, went to content and privacy called privacy on my iPad. Doesn’t allow me to enable mic.. I had it before so obvious apple update issue.
Maddening
Tom Kodi says
I ended up deleting the Grammarly app and that fixed it after trying everything else
chuck says
mic is back! thanks a million!
Turkeylegs says
Char!! I’ve been looking for this answer for months!!! Thanks.
Ricardo Jorge says
I had the same problem. I had tried everything and nothing worked till I went to the dictation languages and CHECKED them both( English and Spanish). If they’re added but not with the check mark, the mic will be greyed out
Grace says
Extremely helpful thank you!
Bob says
no. Apple iPad Pro 12.9 with Apple Smart Keyboard Folio. None of the above suggestions work!
Char says
Didn’t have the option to enable dictation: Go to Settings – Screen Time – Content & Privacy Restrictions – Allowed Apps – Siri & Dictation – Turn On
Then go back to Settings – General – Keyboards – Enable Dictation
Prin says
Get rid of Grammarly! That worked for my iPad.
Curtis Kitto says
“You can unhide Siri and Enable Dictation by going to Settings – Screen Time – Allowed Apps – Siri & Dictation – Make sure it’s On (Green)”
Pidamiya, Ota!
Thanks. The directions above worked for me.
Grateful ?? says
THANKKKK YOU TO ‘ Your wELCOME!! A freaking MILLIONNNNNNN! I’ve been so stress about this for the longest time! Like a yr. Being a busy mom i hate typing in the go so basically used this 100% of the time so THANK U THANK YOUUUUU!!!
Catherine M Puskar says
Help – I have the microphone for dictation in some texts (both with iphone and samsung) contacts, and not in others – I need my microphone back in all texts. Have updated, followed all setting and restart protocols to no avail. I am on an iphone7 ios 12.3 but had the issue before this update too.
Your wELCOME says
works currently on any iOS 12 as of April 2019
You can unhide Siri and Enable Dictation by going to Settings – Screen Time – Allowed Apps – Siri & Dictation – Make sure it’s On (Green)
Then go to General-Keyboard- and now you will see – Enable Dictation – Make sure it’s ON (green)
Elizabeth says
No, tried a million things but at nomtime did the microphone appear…bored now!
Jim D says
For me on IOS 12 this was disabled: Settings > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps > Siri and Dictation
Timothy S Lescinski says
iphone 8, none of these fixes helped. please let me know if there are any other fixes for this.
Margo says
No this does nothing to find the microphone on the text message keyboard
Larry says
No … I have a 11 Ipad with Apple keyboard. I’m looking for the mic to do a voice message on messages and etc rather them type the message. How do I find the mike to use for voice messages with the keyboard?
Bobbie says
Not really, I can’t find the App.