Official documentation

Dictate text on iPad (iPad User Guide)

Apple Support (iPad User Guide), 2026

Read the original

Read on October 17, 2026

What it is: Apple's user guide for dictating into any text field on iPad with the onscreen keyboard: turning on Enable Dictation, punctuation, stopping, on-device processing and the Apple Intelligence dictation model.
How much weight it carries: Apple's own documentation, the most authoritative source for iPad dictation. It is the current iPadOS 27 edition and states its own limits (languages, regions, cellular data). Menu names may change between iPadOS versions.

Facts taken from this source

Apple says its Apple Intelligence dictation upgrade in iPadOS 27 is available in English on iPad models with M4 or later and at least 12GB of unified memory.
“With Apple Intelligence in iPadOS 27, dictation uses an on-device model to improve spelling, punctuation, and capitalization. Available in English on iPad models with M4 or later, at least 12GB of unified memory.” (Note, Dictate text)
Apple says that in supported languages, iPad dictation inserts commas, periods and question marks as you dictate.
“In supported languages, Dictation automatically inserts commas, periods, and question marks as you dictate.” (Add punctuation)
Apple says cellular data charges may apply when you use Dictation on an iPad.
“When using Dictation, cellular data charges may apply.” (Note, Dictate text)
Apple says dictation on iPad may not be available in all languages or in all countries or regions, and that features may vary.
“Dictation may not be available in all languages or in all countries or regions, and features may vary.” (Note, Dictate text)
Apple says dictation on iPad is processed on the device in many languages, and that no internet connection is required.
“Dictation is processed on your device in many languages, and no internet connection is required.” (Dictate text, privacy note)
Apple says iPad dictation stops automatically after 30 seconds of silence.
“Remain silent for 30 seconds. Dictation stops automatically.” (Stop dictating)
Apple says that if the dictation key does not appear on the iPad keyboard, you open General, then Keyboard, and turn on Enable Dictation.
“tap General, tap Keyboard, then turn on Enable Dictation.” (Dictate text, first steps)
Apple says that to use dictation on an iPad, you go to Settings, tap General, then tap Keyboard, and turn on Enable Dictation.
“Go to the Settings app on your iPad. Tap General, then tap Keyboard. Turn on Enable Dictation.” (Make dictation possible)
Apple gives the example of selecting text with touch or Apple Pencil and replacing it with your voice during dictation on iPad.
“For example, you can select text with touch or Apple Pencil and replace it with your voice.” (Dictate text, keyboard stays open)
Apple says that on an iPad you start dictation by tapping the onscreen keyboard or any text field where the dictation key appears.
“Tap on the onscreen keyboard (or in any text field where it appears).” (Dictate text)

Pages that rest on this source

Official documentation

Dictate text on iPad (iPad User Guide)

Apple Support (iPad User Guide), 2026

Read the original

Read on October 17, 2026

What it is: Apple's user guide for dictating into any text field on iPad with the onscreen keyboard: turning on Enable Dictation, punctuation, stopping, on-device processing and the Apple Intelligence dictation model.
How much weight it carries: Apple's own documentation, the most authoritative source for iPad dictation. It is the current iPadOS 27 edition and states its own limits (languages, regions, cellular data). Menu names may change between iPadOS versions.

Facts taken from this source

Apple says its Apple Intelligence dictation upgrade in iPadOS 27 is available in English on iPad models with M4 or later and at least 12GB of unified memory.
“With Apple Intelligence in iPadOS 27, dictation uses an on-device model to improve spelling, punctuation, and capitalization. Available in English on iPad models with M4 or later, at least 12GB of unified memory.” (Note, Dictate text)
Apple says that in supported languages, iPad dictation inserts commas, periods and question marks as you dictate.
“In supported languages, Dictation automatically inserts commas, periods, and question marks as you dictate.” (Add punctuation)
Apple says cellular data charges may apply when you use Dictation on an iPad.
“When using Dictation, cellular data charges may apply.” (Note, Dictate text)
Apple says dictation on iPad may not be available in all languages or in all countries or regions, and that features may vary.
“Dictation may not be available in all languages or in all countries or regions, and features may vary.” (Note, Dictate text)
Apple says dictation on iPad is processed on the device in many languages, and that no internet connection is required.
“Dictation is processed on your device in many languages, and no internet connection is required.” (Dictate text, privacy note)
Apple says iPad dictation stops automatically after 30 seconds of silence.
“Remain silent for 30 seconds. Dictation stops automatically.” (Stop dictating)
Apple says that if the dictation key does not appear on the iPad keyboard, you open General, then Keyboard, and turn on Enable Dictation.
“tap General, tap Keyboard, then turn on Enable Dictation.” (Dictate text, first steps)
Apple says that to use dictation on an iPad, you go to Settings, tap General, then tap Keyboard, and turn on Enable Dictation.
“Go to the Settings app on your iPad. Tap General, then tap Keyboard. Turn on Enable Dictation.” (Make dictation possible)
Apple gives the example of selecting text with touch or Apple Pencil and replacing it with your voice during dictation on iPad.
“For example, you can select text with touch or Apple Pencil and replace it with your voice.” (Dictate text, keyboard stays open)
Apple says that on an iPad you start dictation by tapping the onscreen keyboard or any text field where the dictation key appears.
“Tap on the onscreen keyboard (or in any text field where it appears).” (Dictate text)