How to use voice typing on Android with Gboard
4 minute read · updated October 28, 2026
3 sources: 3 product documentation
Open any app you can type in, tap a text field, then tap the Microphone at the top of the Gboard keyboard. When you see "Speak now," say what you want written, adding "comma," "period" or "new paragraph" as you go. On Pixel 6 and later, advanced voice typing adds automatic punctuation and commands such as "Clear" and "Send."
Gboard, Google's keyboard for Android, lets you talk instead of type in most places where a keyboard appears.[1] It is useful for long messages, quick notes and search boxes, and for anyone who finds it easier to say a sentence than to type it. Google notes that talk-to-text does not work in every language and that some steps need Android 7.0 or later.[1]
Start voice typing
Talk to write with Gboard
- Install Gboard if it is not already on your phone or tablet.
- Open any app you can type in, such as Gmail or Keep, and tap where you want the text.[1]
- At the top of the keyboard, tap Microphone.
- When you see "Speak now," say what you want written.[1]
- Say punctuation as words: "period," "comma," "exclamation point," "question mark," "new line" or "new paragraph."[1]
To swap one word, touch and hold the word, tap the Microphone, and say the new word when you see "Speak now."[1] On a tablet, Gboard can show a movable voice toolbar instead of the full keyboard; tap Keyboard to go back to typing, and tap Menu (or the language code) and then Show voice commands for a list of commands.[1]
Advanced voice typing on Pixel
On Pixel 6 and later, including Fold and Tablet, Gboard has advanced voice typing. Google says it adds punctuation automatically, lets you insert emoji and edit by voice, and keeps working while you type with the microphone still on. A colorful microphone icon shows it is in use.[2]
Turn on advanced voice typing
| Say | What happens |
|---|---|
| "Delete last word" | Deletes the last word[2] |
| "Clear" | Deletes the last sentence |
| "Clear all" | Clears all the text |
| "Send" | Sends the message |
| "Next" | Moves to the next empty field in a form |
| "Stop" | Stops voice typing[2] |
On Pixel 8 and later in U.S. English, Google adds detailed edits such as "Change apples to oranges," "Delete nearby" and "Spell Christine as C-H-R-I-S-T-Y-N-E," said after a short pause.[2]
Settings worth trying
- Auto punctuation. If you would rather say every mark, tap Settings > Voice typing on the keyboard and turn off Auto punctuation.[2]
- Auto-switch language. If you speak more than one supported language, Pixel voice typing can detect which one you are using; turn it off under Settings > Voice typing > Auto-switch language.[2]
- Personalize for you. Under Settings > Privacy, this saves transcripts on the device to improve voice typing, and you can delete them with Delete learned words & data.[2]
Troubleshooting
- Gboard asks about recording. Choose While using app to allow voice recording whenever you use it, or Only this time for one session.[1]
- Advanced voice typing will not turn on. On a new Pixel, Google says the needed update can take a few hours. Connect to Wi-Fi, restart the phone, and charge it overnight.[2]
- Voice typing ignores your language. Talk-to-text does not support every language, and switching languages needs more than one language enabled in Gboard.[1]
- Punctuation words are typed as words. Punctuation by voice might not be available in every language.[1]
Quick answers
Where is the voice typing button on Android?
In Gboard, it is the Microphone at the top of the keyboard.[1]
How do I stop Gboard adding punctuation automatically?
On the keyboard, tap Settings > Voice typing and turn off Auto punctuation.[2]
Can I edit text by voice on Android?
With advanced voice typing on Pixel 6 and later, you can say commands such as "Delete last word" and "Clear." Detailed edits like "Change ... to ..." need a Pixel 8 or later in U.S. English.[2]
Review status
Source-checked, not expert-reviewed
Drafted with AI assistance. Each factual claim was checked against the source it links to on 2026-10-28. No clinician, psychologist or dyslexia specialist has reviewed this page. See the claims register.
Sources
- [1]Type with your voice (Gboard Help, Android). Gboard Help. Accessed 2026-10-28. Product documentation
- [2]Use advanced voice typing features (Gboard Help). Gboard Help. Accessed 2026-10-28. Product documentation
- [3]Fix problems with Gboard (Android). Gboard Help. Accessed 2026-10-28. Product documentation
Related reading
- How to use dictation on iPhoneTurn on Dictation on iPhone, tap the microphone key, add punctuation and line breaks by voice, fix words by voice, and switch off Auto-Punctuation.
- How to use text to speech on AndroidTurn on Select to Speak, set the speech rate and voice under Text-to-speech output, and have Chrome read web pages aloud on an Android phone or tablet.
- How to set up text replacement shortcuts for words you often misspellMake a short code expand to a word you often misspell: Text Replacement on iPhone and Mac, Office AutoCorrect on Windows, and the Gboard dictionary.
- How to use voice typing and dictation on WindowsPress Windows logo key + H to start voice typing, say punctuation and editing commands, change settings, and when to use voice access or Dictate in Word.