The Apple Watch Dictation feature allows you to convert your speech into text, making it easier to send messages, create notes, or compose emails without typing. Simply speak into your Apple Watch, and it will transcribe your words into text.
This feature is useful for hands-free communication, and it works with various apps like Messages, Mail, and Notes. To use Dictation, ensure Siri is enabled and your microphone is unobstructed. If you are facing an issue then continue reading to find out the methods that can help fix Apple Watch dictation not working.
Prerequisites On How To Fix Apple Watch Dictation Not Working.
- To check the time on your watch, press the Digital Crown (round button) once to go to the Home screen. Next, go to: Settings (cog icon) > General > Siri, and ensure “Hey Siri” is turned on.
- Similarly, open the ‘Settings’ app on your Apple Watch, then go to ‘General.’ In the ‘Keyboard’ section, enable the ‘Dictation’ feature.
- If you’re using a protective case or film, remove it, as it might be blocking the microphone port (the lower of the two ports on the opposite side of the buttons).
- Also, clean your watch, focusing on the microphone port, to ensure it’s not obstructed by debris. Remember to follow Apple’s cleaning guidelines—do not insert anything into the port or use compressed air.
How To Use Dictation On Apple Watch?
Like other Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, or Mac), the Apple Watch includes a built-in dictation feature. This allows you to compose emails, create notes, or send messages using voice-to-text, without needing to type. Here’s how to use the Apple Watch’s talk-to-text feature:
- Open the app where you’d like to dictate. For example, if you want to send a message, open the Messages app on your Apple Watch.
- Tap the ‘Microphone’ icon, usually found at the bottom-right corner of the screen.
- Start speaking your message, and the dictation feature will convert your speech into text. Always double-check the transcribed text before pressing the ‘Send’ button.
Read Also: 6 Best Fixes to Instantly Solve Apple Watch Wi-Fi Issues
Expert-Recommended Steps On How to Fix Apple Watch Dictation Not Working
If dictation isn’t working on your Apple Watch, follow these methods to resolve the issue:
Method 1. Check Your Internet Connection
Dictation requires an internet connection. Ensure your watch is connected to Wi-Fi or paired to your iPhone with cellular data.
Method 2. Reboot Your Apple Watch
Sometimes a simple restart can fix issues. Press and hold the side button, then slide to power off. Turn it back on after a few seconds. If your device is experiencing persistent issues, you can force restart the Apple Watch. To do this, press and hold both the Digital Crown and the side button for about 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears.
Method 3. Update watchOS
Ensure that your Apple Watch is running the latest version of watchOS. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check for updates.
Method 4. Re-enable Siri
Go to Settings > Siri and toggle Siri off, then on again to reset it.
Method 5. Ensure that the language on your Apple Watch matches that of your iPhone
You can either mirror the language from your iPhone to your Apple Watch or set different language preferences for each wrist. However, using different settings may lead to dictation issues on your Apple Watch.
- To mirror your iPhone’s language settings, open the Watch app on your paired iPhone and go to General.
- Tap Language & Region and then select Mirror my iPhone.
- After a minute, restart both your iPhone and Apple Watch. Dictation should now work properly, allowing you to type with your voice.
Method 6. Re-pair Your Apple Watch
Apple Watch dictation only works when the device is paired with an iPhone. If there’s an issue with the pairing, the feature may not function properly. To resolve this, unpair the Apple Watch from your iPhone and then pair them again.
Read Also: How to Use the Apple Watch Flashlight?
Method 7. Close And Reopen Apps
If a specific app on your Apple Watch is having trouble with dictation, try closing the app and reopening it.
Method 8. Check The Microphone
If the microphone port on your Apple Watch is blocked by a screen protector, it may distort your voice, causing issues with the speech-to-text function. For quick troubleshooting, remove anything that could be obstructing the microphone.
Method 9. Use A Third-Party app
Most of the time, you’re dictating for personal use—like your to-do list, notes, documents, or emails. However, there may be occasions when you want to transcribe phone calls, online meetings, or recorded voice notes. In these cases, Notta is a better option. Notta is preferred over Apple Watch dictation because it can transcribe longer recordings.
Conclusion On How To Fix Apple Watch Dictation Not Working?
We hope that the above methods help you enable and fix Apple Watch Dictation issues. Do write to us in the comments section as to which method fixed your issue. If the issue persists, contact Apple Support for further assistance.
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