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How to dictate on a Mac

Set up macOS Dictation, choose your shortcut and add punctuation. Follow the steps for your Mac.

Reviewed October 20, 2026

Turn on Dictation in macOS

  1. Choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Keyboard in the sidebar (you may need to scroll down).
  2. Go to Dictation, turn it on, then click Enable.
  3. If macOS asks whether to improve Siri and Dictation, choose Share Audio Recordings or Not Now. You can change this later in Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements.
  4. While you're in Keyboard > Dictation, check Languages (click Edit to add one) and Microphone source.

Every Mac can talk to text out of the box: Dictation is built into macOS. Here's how to turn it on, start and stop it and get punctuation right, plus how SayDart works on a MacBook when you want your words cleaned up as you talk.

Apple: Dictate messages and documents on Mac

Start talking: Microphone key, shortcut or Edit menu

Click where you want the text. Then press the Microphone key in the top row of your keyboard if your Mac has one, press your Dictation shortcut, or choose Edit > Start Dictation. When the cursor pulses or you hear the tone, start talking.

  • Press and release the Microphone key to dictate. Pressing and holding it calls Siri instead, if Siri is on.
  • To use a different shortcut, go to Keyboard > Dictation > Shortcut. Choose Customize to set your own, such as Option-Z.
  • To stop, press Escape, the Microphone key or your shortcut. Dictation also stops by itself after 30 seconds without speech.
  • On a Mac with Apple silicon you can keep typing while Dictation listens. It picks up again when you stop typing.

Mac dictation keyboard shortcut

Turn on Dictation in Apple menu > System Settings > Keyboard > Dictation. To start, press the Microphone key if available in the function-key row, use your Dictation keyboard shortcut, or choose Edit > Start Dictation. Press and release the Microphone key to start Dictation; press and hold it to activate Siri.

To change the shortcut, open System Settings > Keyboard > Dictation > Shortcut and use the pop-up menu. Options include Press Fn (Function) Key Twice. Choose Customize to set your own shortcut, such as Option-Z.

To stop Dictation, press Escape, the Microphone key or the Dictation keyboard shortcut. It also stops automatically after 30 seconds with no speech detected.

Punctuation, new lines and quick fixes

  • In supported languages, Dictation adds commas, periods and question marks for you. You can turn Auto-punctuation off in Keyboard > Dictation.
  • Say "new line" or "new paragraph" to break up your text, or say a punctuation mark such as "exclamation mark".
  • Say an emoji's name, like "heart emoji".
  • A word underlined in blue is one Dictation wasn't sure about. Click it to pick an alternative.

Talk to text with SayDart on a MacBook

SayDart is a voice typing app for Mac (beta) and Windows. Press Right Option, talk, press it again. Your words land at the cursor with the "um"s and restarts taken out and punctuation in place—no window switching.

  • Clean text in your style. Pick Formal, Casual or Very casual, write your own rule in Custom, or choose Original to keep every word.
  • Assistant edits. Select text, press Right Option + Space and say how to change it. If the selection is still in place, you can replace it with the answer.
  • Dictionary and Snippets. Add names and terms once so they come out right, and save a sign-off you can drop in with a short phrase.
  • Voice translation. Press Right Shift + Right Option, speak, and get the translation at your cursor.
  • History. Results are saved on your Mac, with the original text and switchable versions.
  • SayDart Assistant. Select text, press Right Option + Space and ask about it.
How SayDart voice typing works

Set up SayDart on your Mac

  1. Download the Apple Silicon or Intel .dmg (macOS 14.2 or later), open it and drag SayDart into Applications.
  2. Apple Silicon (arm64) · notarized by Apple. Open the .dmg, drag SayDart into Applications, then launch it from Applications.
  3. Allow Microphone so SayDart can hear you, and Accessibility so it can put text into other apps.
  4. Sign in with your email, click into any text box, press Right Option and talk.
Download SayDart for MacCompare dictation workflows

If Dictation stops working

Check that Dictation is on in Keyboard settings, that the right language and microphone are selected, and that Voice Control is off. When Voice Control is on, standard Dictation isn't available.

Apple: If Dictation on Mac doesn't work as expectedSayDart troubleshooting

Official sources

The macOS Dictation steps are summarized from Apple's Mac User Guide, checked October 20, 2026. Menu names can change between macOS versions.

Apple Mac User Guide: Dictate messages and documentsApple Mac User Guide: If Dictation doesn't work as expected

Related

FAQ

Visit the help center
How do I turn on talk to text on a MacBook?

Choose Apple menu > System Settings > Keyboard, go to Dictation and turn it on. Then click in a text field and press the Microphone key, press your Dictation shortcut, or choose Edit > Start Dictation.

What is the shortcut for dictation on Mac?

Check System Settings > Keyboard > Dictation > Shortcut for your selected Dictation keyboard shortcut. Options include Press Fn (Function) Key Twice. You can also start Dictation by pressing and releasing the Microphone key if available in the function-key row, or by choosing Edit > Start Dictation. Pressing and holding the Microphone key activates Siri.

How do I change the dictation shortcut on Mac?

Go to System Settings > Keyboard > Dictation > Shortcut and open the pop-up menu. Choose an option such as Press Fn (Function) Key Twice, or choose Customize to set your own shortcut, such as Option-Z.

How do I stop dictation on Mac?

Press Escape, the Microphone key or the Dictation keyboard shortcut. Dictation also stops automatically after 30 seconds with no speech detected.

How long can I dictate on a Mac?

Apple says you can dictate text of any length without a timeout. Dictation stops by itself when it hears no speech for 30 seconds.

What does SayDart need on a Mac?

macOS 14.2 or later on Apple Silicon or Intel, an internet connection, and Microphone and Accessibility permissions. The Mac app is a public beta.

Is SayDart free on Mac?

Yes. SayDart Free gives you a modest weekly limit on Mac, the same as on Windows.