Official documentation
Type with your voice (Gboard Help, Android)
Google (Gboard Help), 2026
Read the originalRead on October 16, 2026
- What it is
- Google's instructions for voice typing with the Gboard keyboard on Android phones and tablets: the microphone key, spoken punctuation, the voice toolbar and its recording permission prompt.
- How much weight it carries
- Primary documentation from Google. Google's help site rate-limited automated requests on the day we checked, so the quote is also verified against the Internet Archive copy of 9 October 2026.
Facts taken from this source
- Google's Gboard help says that on some Pixel devices, you type with your voice by using Advanced voice typing.
“On some Pixel devices, to type with your voice, use Advanced voice typing” (Tip under Talk to write)
- On Android with Gboard, you voice type by tapping a text field, tapping the microphone at the top of the keyboard and speaking when you see "Speak now".
“Open any app that you can type with, like Gmail or Keep. Tap an area where you can enter text. At the top of your keyboard, tap Microphone ... When you see "Speak now," say what you want written.” (Talk to write)
- In Gboard's voice toolbar, you switch languages by tapping the abbreviation at the bottom left, which shows your default language.
“At the bottom left of the toolbar, tap the abbreviation for your default language. Select a language.” (Switch languages)
- Gboard's voice typing works in any app where you can type, and Google's example apps are Gmail and Keep.
“Open any app that you can type with, like Gmail or Keep.” (Talk to write)
- Google says punctuation phrases might not be available in every language that Gboard voice typing supports.
“Punctuation might not be available in all languages.” (Add punctuation)
- Google's Gboard help lists spoken phrases that add punctuation in voice typing, including period, comma, exclamation point, question mark, new line and new paragraph.
“Some phrases you can use are: Period Comma Exclamation point Question mark New line New paragraph” (Add punctuation)
- When Gboard first uses the microphone, Android asks for a recording permission with three choices: While using app, Only this time, or Don't allow.
“If prompted, tap a recording option: While using app: Allows voice recording any time you use the app. Only this time: Allows voice recording once. Don't allow: Doesn't allow voice recording.” (Use the voice toolbar)
- Google says that some of the Gboard voice typing steps work only on Android 7.0 and later.
“Some of these steps work only on Android 7.0 and up.” (Talk to write)
- Gboard voice typing accepts voice commands, and you can also tap a suggestion in the toolbar instead of saying the command.
“To use voice commands, say a command or tap one of the suggestions in the toolbar.” (Tips under the voice typing steps)
Pages that rest on this source
- Voice Typing on Android: How to Use Talk to TextGuide
- How do you dictate punctuation on Android?Question
- What voice commands work with Gboard voice typing?Question
- Where is voice typing on Android?Question
- Why is talk to text not working on Google Messages?Question
- Dictation Software: How to Choose the Right AppTopic
- Voice Typing in Google Docs, Word and Every Other AppTopic
- Dictation and Voice to Text on iPhone and AndroidTopic
- How to Change the Dictation Language on Any DeviceGuide
- How to Turn On Voice Typing on Every DeviceGuide
- Dictate Emails in Outlook and GmailGuide
- Talk to Text on Samsung Galaxy: How to Use ItGuide
- Voice Typing Not Working on Android: How to Fix ItGuide
- Best Dictation Apps for iPhone and AndroidGuide
- Voice Typing in WhatsApp and Messaging AppsGuide
- Dictation on iPad and Android TabletsGuide
- Dictation Languages on iPhone and AndroidGuide
- Voice to Text in Teams, Slack and NotionGuide
- Offline Voice Typing on iPhone and AndroidGuide
- Does Gmail have voice typing?Question
- Does Google have a voice to text app?Question
- How do dictation keyboards work on iPhone and Android?Question
- How do you change the voice typing language on Android?Question
- How do you dictate and send a text message hands-free?Question