How to Dictate & Edit Texts without Siri

* This post is part of iPhone Life's Tip of the Day newsletter. . *

Being able to make hands-free calls and send texts can come in handy when you're trying to keep your eyes on the road. Siri is a common method for dictating texts, but Siri can't function properly when you've got spotty cell reception. Luckily, you can still dictate texts in Messages even if Siri is offline. You can even use this method to make corrections and edit out mistakes. Let's dive in with how to dictate and edit texts on your iPhone without Siri.

Related: How to Use Siri & What to Do When Siri Stops Working

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How to Dictate & Edit Texts without Siri

  1. Open a new or existing conversation in Messages.
  2. On your keyboard, tap the microphone button.
  3. Begin speaking. When you're finished, tap the keyboard icon.


     
  4. To make an edit, highlight the word or phrase you want to change.
  5. Tap the microphone button.
  6. Begin speaking, and when you're finished, tap the keyboard button.

That's it! Your text message is ready to send. Happy chatting! If you'd rather use Siri to dictate a text, you can find out how to use Siri Speech-to-Text.

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Author Details

Tamlin Day's picture

Author Details

Tamlin Day

Tamlin Day is a feature web writer for iPhone Life and a regular contributor to iPhone Life magazine. A prolific writer of tips, reviews, and in-depth guides, Tamlin has written hundreds of articles for iPhone Life. From iPhone settings to recommendations for the best iPhone-compatible gear to the latest Apple news, Tamlin's expertise covers a broad spectrum. 

Before joining iPhone Life, Tamlin received his BFA in Media & Communications as well as a BA in Graphic Design from Maharishi International University (MIU), where he edited MIU's literary journal, Meta-fore. With a passion for teaching, Tamlin has instructed young adults, college students, and adult learners on topics ranging from spoken word poetry to taking the perfect group selfie. Tamlin's first computer, a Radioshack Color Computer III, was given to him by his father. At 13, Tamlin built his first PC from spare parts. He is proud to put his passion for teaching and tech into practice as a writer and educator at iPhone Life.