On iOS and iPadOS it has been possible for some time to also use the keyboard while dictating text. This way you can combine typing and dictating at the same time. This option has also been activated for Mac since macOS Sonoma.
When you use the dictation function, you can easily continue using the keyboard. This is especially useful if you want to type punctuation marks or complete sentences. Dictation remains active so you can easily continue speaking.
Enable dictation
- Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad
- Navigate to ‘General’
- Choose ‘Keyboard’
- Enable the ‘Enable dictation function’ option
On a Mac you can do this via  ▸ System Settings ▸ Keyboard ▸ Dictation.
Type and Dictate at the same time
To start dictation, press the key with the microphone symbol in the virtual keyboard of your iPhone or iPad. On a Mac you can press the physical microphone key in the keyboard or via the menu bar Change â–¸ Start Dictation.
Speak the text you want to dictate and use the keyboard of your iPhone, iPad or Mac to complete it further. The dictation function remains active so that you can continue dictating after typing.