Fact · Dictation on Mac
Apple says you can pause Voice Control when you do not want the words you say to be read as commands or dictation, by saying Stop listening, and resume it by saying Start listening.
Checked against its source on October 16, 2026
In the source's own words
“Pause Voice Control when you don’t want words you say to be interpreted as commands or dictation. ... Voice Control: Say “Stop listening” or “Start listening.””
Voice Control commands to interact with your Mac, Apple Support, Mac User Guide (macOS 27 version of the page), 2026, See what commands you can use; Voice Control: Say Stop listening.
Open the original- What it measures
- Apple's Voice Control commands page, under the section Pause or resume Voice Control.
- What it does not show
- Pausing keeps Voice Control on, unlike turning it off in System Settings. Some older guides describe other phrases, which this page does not list.
Source
Cited on
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- Mac Voice Control Commands: The Complete ListGuide
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