Fact · Dictation on phones and tablets
Apple says that with an external keyboard you tap the Dictation button in the Shortcuts bar at the bottom of the screen, then speak.
Checked against its source on October 17, 2026
In the source's own words
“Tap the Dictation button in the Shortcuts bar (at the bottom of the screen), then speak.”
Dictate text while using an Apple external keyboard with iPad, Apple Support (iPad User Guide), 2026, Dictate text while using an Apple external keyboard with iPad.
Open the original- What it measures
- Apple's steps for an iPad with a Magic Keyboard or Smart Keyboard. The same page says to turn on Enable Dictation first.
- What it does not show
- The Shortcuts bar is the bar at the bottom of the iPad screen, and the page does not say whether it appears on every keyboard setup.