How do you dictate reminders and lists on iPhone?

To dictate a reminder or a list on iPhone, tap the text field, tap the microphone key on the keyboard, and speak. Reminders and lists are text fields, so the same switch that turns on dictation for messages works here. Each item can be short, and you can say "new line" to start the next one. Apple's pages on iPhone dictation do not describe Reminders by name, so the steps below follow from its general rule for text fields, and the rest is for you to check on your own phone.

Reminders and lists are text fields, so the same switch applies

On iPhone, Dictation lets you dictate text anywhere you can type it ¹. A new reminder is a text field, and so is each line of a list. Dictation is one switch in the keyboard settings, so if the microphone key is missing from the keyboard in Reminders, turn it on first. The steps are in the question on where dictation is in iPhone settings.

If the key appears but dictated words do not appear, check the app's permissions. Apple says that if the microphone does not work in an app, you go to Settings, tap Microphone, and make sure the app is enabled ².

Say "new line" to build a list, one item at a time

A list is a series of short lines, so the line break command matters most. Apple says that saying "new line" or "new paragraph" adds a line break during Dictation ³. Speak one item, say "new line", and speak the next. Keep each item short, because a session ends after 30 seconds of silence ⁴. If you pause to think between items, tap the microphone key again and carry on.

Punctuation in a list is less important, but the phone adds commas and periods on its own in supported languages. You can also say the name of a mark, such as "question mark" ⁵. For the full list of commands, see iPhone dictation commands.

Fix a wrong item by voice or by touch

Apple says you can edit text by saying "select" or "delete" followed by the phrase you want to change ⁶. It is quicker to tap the item and retype a single word. Use voice for a longer item, and touch for a name or a number. The keyboard stays available while you dictate, so you can switch between the two.

What to do when you dictate a reminder or list

1. Open Reminders, or the list you want to add to.
2. Tap in the field where the new item should go.
3. Tap the microphone key on the keyboard and speak the first item.
4. Say "new line" and speak the next item, keeping each one short.
5. Tap the key again to stop, then check each item before you rely on it.

If you dictate a longer note, rather than a list, the question on dictating notes on iPhone covers that case. For the basics, see the guide to dictation on iPhone, and for every subject on the topic, the overview of dictation on phones and tablets.