How do I use Voice to Text with Microsoft SwiftKey Keyboard?

Voice recognition is turned on by default. Your Microsoft SwiftKey Keyboard utilizes Google Voice technology to power this feature. 

To access Voice to Text (also known as Voice Recognition/Text to speech/Voice Input) please follow the steps below. 

1. Open the Microsoft SwiftKey Keyboard in your desired app

2. Long press the comma/microphone button to the left of the spacebar and begin speaking

  

If you'd like to turn this off please follow the below steps.

1. Open Microsoft SwiftKey

2. Tap 'Rich input'

3. Uncheck 'Voice typing'

 

My Voice to Text doesn't work!

Google has integrated its 'Google Voice' technology into the main 'Google' app.

If you find yourself unable to initialise voice dictation, please visit the Google Play Store and download (or update) the Google app.

Adjust your Google Voice settings 

Within the Google app you'll discover numerous options that allow you to fine-tune your Google Voice experience.

For example:

• You can specify which languages you'd like to use with voice recognition.

• Voice recognition primarily requires an internet connection, but it's possible to download languages for offline recognition.

• Offensive words are blocked by default.

To access these settings:

1. Open the Google app

2. Tap the 'hamburger' menu (indicated by three lines)

3. Tap 'Settings'

4. Select 'Voice'

   

Note: Unfortunately, the accuracy of the words generated when using voice to text is not controlled by Microsoft SwiftKey, and not based on our predictions.

1. How do I use Voice Typing?

2. Voice Typing & your data

• How do I stop sharing my Voice data?

1 - How do I use Voice Typing?

Your Microsoft SwiftKey Keyboard now offers Voice Typing (or voice dictation) - perfect for all those moments when you prefer to speak instead of type.

If you’ve selected English as your Microsoft SwiftKey language option you'll find Voice Typing is enabled by default.

Tap the microphone icon on your Microsoft SwiftKey Keyboard to get started.

Speak to begin dictation - the microphone will turn blue. To stop dictation - tap the microphone.

If you'd like to disable Voice Typing, or hide the icon from your Microsoft SwiftKey Keyboard:

1. Open your Microsoft SwiftKey app.

2. Tap 'Settings'.

3. Tap the 'Voice Typing' button to toggle off/on.
 

2 - Voice Typing & your data

Your data from Voice Typing will be sent to Microsoft’s speech services to turn your speech into text.   If you agree to share your Voice and text data with Microsoft, it will help our speech-recognition services understand you better and make Voice Typing more accurate.

All of your voice and text samples that are shared with Microsoft are de-identified. 

Due to this de-identification, if you sign into Microsoft SwiftKey using a Microsoft Account your speech input data will not be viewable in the Microsoft privacy dashboard.  

How can I stop sharing my Voice data?

You can stop sharing this data at any time. To do this:  

1. Open your Microsoft SwiftKey app.

2. Tap ‘Settings’.

3. Tap ‘Help Voice Typing'

4. Select 'Stop contributing'. By choosing this option you will still be able to use the Voice Typing feature, but your voice clips won't be shared.

If you wish to contribute voice clips again, choose the 'Yes, I'll contribute voice clips' option.

    

Note: If you turn ‘Voice Typing’ off altogether, the ‘Help Voice Typing’ button will be disabled.

FAQ:

• Currently we support English only for voice to text.