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.
Enable Dictation
Enable Dictation under “Settings” > “General” > “Keyboard” > “Dictation” > “On“.
Enable Siri
Enable Siri under “Settings” > “Siri” > “On” > “Enable Siri“.
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.
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.
Sue says
I have the same problem as Kiki above, except iPhone 5. Both microphone and Siri options missing under settings! Eeek!
Sandy says
Thank you! My Siri disappeared too. Appreciate your help.
Kay Huff says
I have all of my settings correct and turned on and I still keep losing the microphone for talk to text.
I’ve even deleted secondary keyboards. I have the microphone in messenger, but not text.
I have soft booted, hard booted. You name it, I think I have tried it.
If I do a “reset” will I lose other settings?
This is getting so frustrating.
Thanks
Paul Thompson says
Thanks Mitch. This solved my problem on my new ipodtouch6. Much easier to dictate an email than using the minuscule keyboard. Very helpful.
Merry Xmas
tom says
Late to this thread but nevertheless…
My wife had changed the text size and turned ‘bold’ on (preferences/display and brightness) and lost her microphone on the keyboard until she modified these settings.
Grisha K says
Kiki & Melissa,
I was having the same problem also. Then I did a reset of all the iPhone settings. Miraculously, Siri reappeared in my settings menu.
“Enable Dictation” also reappeared for me after the reset.
Go to Settings > General. The last option should be “Reset Settings”
Cheers!
Melissa Bartlett says
Kiki, I am experiencing the same issues. I would love to know a fix.
Candy P. says
After updates with i6, I’ve experienced disabling of many functions; this was one of them. Thank you very much for this helpful guide.
Vic says
I have a new Note 7 and I just figured out that if you are showing a smiley face or anything instead of the microphone, simply hold the button down for a couple of seconds and a window pops up where you will see different icons. One will be the microphone, so press that and it should load back into that key spot.
Angela says
Great site thanks
MARY MILLER says
Same problem on SE. Sometimes the mic is grey until i type the first letter in text, then it becomes available. Seems like a programming issue to me.
Stephanie says
I have the 5C and the Settings>Siri>On brought back my microphone!! Thank you!!
Aegisprncs says
I have the iPhone SE and have the same issue as the previous poster… Help!
iFreak says
Great info. I have no idea why i shut off dictation, then forgot i did it till i read your post. Thank you so much.
meg09 says
Thanks a lot for the help. It saves a lot of time.
Kiki says
I have an iphone 6s and the microphone from the bottom left is missing, in addition I don’t have dictation available as an option under Keyboard and it doesn’t have SIRI as an option under settings?
I am hooped!