How to dictate on Mac in 2026

Set up Apple Dictation first

1. Open System Settings and go to Keyboard.
2. Turn on Dictation and choose the shortcut, language, and microphone you want to use.
3. Click into the app where text should appear.
4. Press the dictation shortcut, speak clearly, and stop dictation when you are done.
5. Read the text before sending. Names, product terms, punctuation, and code still need review.

Apple says the text beneath Dictation in Keyboard settings explains whether general voice input and transcripts are processed on-device or sent to Siri servers. Check that setting on the Mac you actually use.

Use Voice Control when speech should control the Mac

Voice Control is different from ordinary dictation. It can navigate, click, select text, and edit with spoken commands. Apple says it requires internet for a one-time file download, then works without an internet connection.

Use Gojo for local dictation into the current field

Gojo downloads a local speech model and types dictated text into the field that is already active. That matters when you want the words to land in Messages, Notes, Slack, a browser form, or a document without copying from a transcript app. Read the local dictation feature guide for the product behavior.

Check privacy before you start dictating

• Does the selected workflow process speech on-device, in a cloud service, or both depending on mode?
• Does the app store audio, transcripts, corrections, or history?
• Does it need microphone, Accessibility, automation, or file access permissions?
• Does the receiving app sync the inserted text after dictation?

Sources and method

• Apple Dictation and Voice Control support pages checked September 8, 2026.
• Gojo local dictation behavior checked against the public feature page and architecture notes on September 8, 2026.
• No accuracy benchmark is claimed because this guide is about setup and workflow choice.

Apple Dictation guide | Apple Voice Control guide | Gojo dictation architecture

Frequently asked questions