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.
Curtis Kitto says
June 23, 2019 at 10:55 am“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
May 30, 2019 at 7:38 pmTHANKKKK 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
May 22, 2019 at 4:43 pmHelp – 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
April 5, 2019 at 11:01 pmworks 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
April 5, 2019 at 9:22 pmNo, tried a million things but at nomtime did the microphone appear…bored now!
Jim D says
March 8, 2019 at 5:53 amFor me on IOS 12 this was disabled: Settings > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps > Siri and Dictation
Timothy S Lescinski says
February 15, 2019 at 3:35 pmiphone 8, none of these fixes helped. please let me know if there are any other fixes for this.
Margo says
January 6, 2019 at 8:18 pmNo this does nothing to find the microphone on the text message keyboard
Larry says
December 1, 2018 at 2:46 pmNo … 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
November 21, 2018 at 6:31 amNot really, I can’t find the App.