Typing messages, emails, or notes isn’t always convenient—especially when you’re busy or on the go. That’s where talk to text can help. With just a few settings, Samsung phones allow you to speak naturally while the device converts your words into clear, readable text. Whether you’re sending a quick message or drafting something longer, voice input can make everyday communication much easier.

Getting started with talk to text on Samsung devices

Talk to text helps you speak instead of type, which can be faster and easier, especially on the go. Samsung phones like the Galaxy S24 make this feature simple to use. Here’s how to turn it on, use it in your apps, and get the best results from voice typing.

How do you turn on talk to text?

To start, go to Settings > General management > Keyboard list and default. Make sure Samsung Keyboard is your default. Then, turn on Google Voice Typing.

Next, tap Samsung Keyboard, go to Voice input, and choose either Samsung voice input or Google Voice Typing. Many people find Google’s option more accurate.

If you don’t see the microphone icon on your keyboard, turn on the keyboard button on the navigation bar. This adds a small icon you can tap to switch between keyboard and voice input.

You can also make voice typing faster. In Samsung Keyboard settings, set “Touch and hold space bar” to "Voice input". Now you can long-press the spacebar anytime to start talking.

Where can you use voice input?

Voice input works almost anywhere you type. Open the app you want to use—like Messages, Gmail, WhatsApp, or Instagram—and tap the text box. When the keyboard pops up, tap the microphone icon.

Start speaking, and your words will show up as text. Talk at a normal pace and pause when you're done. You can edit any part before sending your message.

The voice input works in most apps: text messages, emails, social media, notes, and more. As long as the keyboard appears, you can use talk to text.

How can you make voice input more accurate?

• First, speak clearly and at a steady pace. You don’t need to shout or talk like a robot—just speak normally and avoid mumbling.
• Try to use voice input in a quiet place. Background noise like music, traffic, or talking can confuse the microphone. If you're outside or in a loud room, use headphones with a built-in mic for better results.
• Make sure your phone is set to the right language. You can check this in your keyboard settings. Using the correct language helps your phone understand your words better.
• You can also say punctuation out loud, like “comma,” “period,” or “question mark.” Saying “new line” will start a new paragraph. These commands help your text look cleaner without editing later.
• If the results still aren’t great, try switching from Samsung’s voice engine to Google’s. Some users find it works better, especially for punctuation and long sentences.

With just a few settings and small tweaks, talk to text on Samsung can save you time and effort—just tap the mic and speak.

Getting started with talk to text on Samsung devices

Voice input (also known as talk-to-text) lets you speak instead of typing on your Samsung phone. It’s built into the latest Galaxy phones (like the S24 series), making hands-free typing easy. Below are quick guides to activate and use voice input, plus tips to get the best results.

Step-by-step activation guide

• Open Settings: On your Samsung phone, open the Settings app.
• Go to Keyboard settings: Scroll down and tap General Management, then tap Keyboard list and default.
• Select Samsung Keyboard as default: Make sure Samsung Keyboard is selected as your default keyboard (if it isn’t already).
• Enable voice input: In the keyboard list, turn on Samsung voice input. (If you prefer Google’s voice-to-text, enable Google Voice Typing instead.)
• Finish setup: Once you enable this, the keyboard’s microphone icon will appear. (The first time you use voice input, you may be prompted to grant microphone permission.) You are now ready to use talk-to-text.

Using voice input across messaging, email, and social apps

• Text and Chat Apps (Samsung Messages, WhatsApp, etc.): Open a conversation and tap the text input field to bring up the keyboard. Tap the microphone icon on the keyboard and start speaking. (In apps like WhatsApp, be sure to use the keyboard’s mic icon – not the app’s audio recording mic – to dictate text.) Your speech will convert to text in the message box. Once it looks correct, send it as you normally would.
• Email (Gmail, Outlook, etc.): Create a new email or reply to an existing one, then tap the body (or subject) field to open the keyboard. Tap the microphone icon on the keyboard and speak your message clearly. Your spoken words will instantly turn into text in the email. Review it briefly for any mistakes or missing punctuation, then send the email when you’re satisfied.
• Social Media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc.): Whenever you want to type a comment, caption, or post, you can use voice input. Tap the text area to open the keyboard, then tap the microphone icon. Dictate your content (for example, speak your comment or status update) and watch it appear as text on the screen. After dictating, you can add any hashtags, emojis, or minor edits, then post or share as usual.

Optimizing voice recognition for better accuracy

• Speak clearly at a steady pace: Talk in a clear, normal voice without rushing. Avoid mumbling or speaking extremely fast. Enunciating your words helps the phone recognize them correctly.
• Minimize background noise: Try to use voice input in a quiet environment. Loud background noise, wind, or music can make it harder for the phone to understand you. If you’re in a noisy place, move to a quieter spot if possible for better results.
• Use the right language setting: Ensure your voice input is set to the language (and region) you’re speaking. For example, if you speak English (US), make sure that’s the selected voice input language. Using the correct language profile improves recognition accuracy.
• Ensure a good internet connection: If possible, use Wi-Fi or a strong mobile data signal when dictating. Voice-to-text often uses online processing to interpret your speech, so a stable internet connection can significantly improve accuracy and speed.
• Use punctuation commands if desired: You can say common punctuation to have it inserted as you speak. For instance, saying “comma” ( , ), “period” ( . ), or “question mark” ( ? ) will insert those marks in the text. You can even say “new line” to start a new paragraph. This is optional — you can always add punctuation manually after speaking if you prefer.
• Double-check the transcribed text: Voice recognition isn’t perfect, so take a moment to review the text after you’ve dictated it. Make sure the words and punctuation match what you intended. Fix any mistakes or misunderstood words before you send or post your message, just to be safe.

Latest voice-to-text features in Samsung S24 series

The Galaxy S24 series makes voice typing easier, faster, and more useful than ever. With updates to Samsung’s own tools, support for Google voice typing, smarter Bixby features, and third-party app compatibility, you can now speak instead of type in almost any situation—hands-free, with great accuracy.

Samsung voice input and transcription tools

On the Galaxy S24, Samsung moved the voice input button to the bottom left of the screen, right on the navigation bar. Just tap the mic icon, start speaking, and your words show up as text—no typing needed. It works across messaging, emails, and notes in multiple languages.

A standout feature is Transcript Assist in the Voice Recorder app. You can record a meeting or voice memo and get a full written version instantly. The phone even knows when different people are talking. Once transcribed, you can also summarize or translate the text. It’s a smart way to capture long conversations without writing anything down.

Google voice typing updates

Google voice typing is also built into the Galaxy S24. It’s fast, accurate, and easy to use. You can speak at a natural pace and see your text appear right away. It supports many languages and can even detect language changes during speech.

One of the best parts? It can automatically add punctuation like commas and periods. You can also say things like “new line” or “delete last word” to edit by voice. It’s great for long messages, emails, or anytime your hands are busy.

Bixby improvements for voice-to-text

Bixby brings more ways to use voice-to-text, especially for calls. Bixby Text Call lets you answer calls with text. The caller speaks, and you see their words on your screen. You type your reply, and Bixby speaks it out loud. It now works in more languages and can even be turned on mid-call.

You can also create a custom voice using Bixby Voice Creator. Bixby learns how you sound and can reply in your voice during a call. It’s personal, helpful, and feels more natural.

Outside of calls, Bixby can send messages or take notes from your voice. Just say something like “Text Sarah, I’m almost there,” and Bixby will type and send the message. It works offline for basic tasks and is more responsive than before.

Support for third-party voice tools

If you prefer other apps, the Galaxy S24 works well with Gboard, SwiftKey, and transcription apps like Otter or Google Live Transcribe. These tools give you more ways to capture speech as text in real time. With the S24’s faster chip and improved AI, even large files or live recordings are handled smoothly.

Whether you're texting with your voice, writing an email hands-free, or turning a meeting into written notes, the Galaxy S24 gives you powerful voice-to-text tools that just work—fast, clear, and built for daily life.

What are alternative ways to use talk to text on Samsung?

Even though Samsung’s built-in voice typing is great, you can also explore other methods to capture clear speech and convert it to text. Here are three useful alternatives to consider.

Using external recorders for clearer speech

Using a dedicated voice recorder can give you better audio quality, especially for meetings or lectures. Devices like the Plaud NotePin or Plaud Note record with high-fidelity microphones and can capture multiple speakers clearly. These devices sync with a mobile app to transcribe conversations into text, often with speaker labels and timestamps. This is especially helpful when the built-in phone mic isn’t enough to capture full conversations.

How do you use Plaud with Samsung?

Step 1: Install the Plaud app from the Play Store and pair it with a device like Plaud NotePin or Plaud Note.

Step 2: Press the button on your Plaud device to start and stop recording.

Step 3: Open the Plaud app or web—your recording will appear automatically.

Step 4: Tap to transcribe into text. You can then export the transcription to Samsung Notes, email, or messaging apps.

Using Plaud gives you clear recordings and editable text, ideal for notes, interviews, and meetings.

Can automatic summaries help capture the main points?

Yes! After transcription, the Plaud app can summarize the content, extracting key points from your recordings. This AI-powered feature lets you quickly get the main takeaways without reading long transcripts. It’s perfect for meetings or lectures when time is tight and you just need essential information.

Each of these methods offers a different approach to talking instead of typing. Samsung’s voice input works well for quick tasks, but tools like Plaud shine when you need accurate, full-length transcriptions and smart summaries.

Frequently asked questions

Q1: What if voice-to-text suddenly stops working?

If the mic button doesn’t activate, try restarting your phone first. If that doesn’t help, go to Settings → Apps, find Samsung Voice Input (or Google Voice Typing), tap Permissions, and make sure the microphone is enabled. That should restore voice input functionality.

Q2: How can I get punctuation when dictating?

To add punctuation with Samsung’s voice input, go to Settings → General management → Samsung Keyboard → Voice input, and switch to Google Voice Typing. This lets you say words like “comma” or “period,” and the punctuation appears automatically.

Q3: Can I use talk-to-text on my Galaxy Watch?

Yes. If your watch is paired to your phone via Bluetooth and is using Samsung Messages as the default messaging app, you can tap the mic icon in a thread and speak to dictate messages directly from your watch.

Q4: Why is voice typing lagging or inaccurate?

Slow response or errors often stem from a poor network or noisy background. Basic voice typing works offline, but online processing performs significantly better. A quiet environment and strong internet connection will give you the fastest, most accurate voice transcription.

Q5: What’s the difference between Bixby and Google voice-to-text?

With Google Voice Typing, you get fast, accurate dictation with auto-punctuation across any app. Bixby does more—like answering calls with text transcription or letting you send messages by voice. Choose Google for typing and Bixby if you want in-call or system-level voice tasks.

Talk to text Samsung made simple

Ready to make voice typing part of your routine? Whether you're dictating a quick text, summarizing a meeting with Transcript Assist, or using Bixby during calls, the Galaxy S24 has your back. Give a few different methods a try—Samsung Voice, Google typing, Bixby, or even third-party apps—and see what fits best. Little changes in how and where you speak can save you time and effort every day.