How to Type by Speaking on Android Using Google Voice Typing

Android phones have a built-in voice typing feature that lets you speak your text instead of typing. It works in any app where you can type — messaging, email, search bars, notes, forms, and more. Just tap the microphone icon on the Google keyboard and speak.

Voice typing on Android uses Google's speech recognition technology, which is highly accurate and improves as you use it. It handles natural speech well and can recognize punctuation if you say the words: say "comma," "period," "question mark," or "new line" to add those characters.

On Android phones using the default Gboard keyboard (made by Google), the microphone icon appears on the keyboard. Tapping it activates voice typing. Some Samsung phones use Samsung Keyboard instead, which has a similar microphone button.

Voice typing requires an internet connection on most Android phones — it sends your audio to Google's servers for processing. However, on newer Android phones (Pixel 3 and later, and many 2022+ Samsung models), on-device voice recognition is available and works offline.

Voice typing is distinct from Google Assistant — "Hey Google" activates the Assistant, which does tasks like making calls or searching the web. Voice typing specifically inserts spoken words into whatever text field you have open.

For people with arthritis, hand tremors, visual difficulties, or anyone who simply types more slowly than they speak, voice typing can dramatically increase communication speed and comfort.