Click the Voice button on the Readable Toolbar to open Voice Control settings, or access them at System Settings → Accessibility → Voice Control. Dictation-only settings are in System Settings → Keyboard → Dictation.

Readable Toolbar for Mac showing the Voice Control and Dictation toolbar button
macOS includes two different speech input systems: Voice Control (full hands-free Mac control + dictation) and Dictation (text input only). When Voice Control is on, it handles dictation — standard Dictation is not available simultaneously.

Quick dictation (keyboard shortcut)

The quickest way to dictate text is with the keyboard shortcut: press the Function key (Fn) and F5 together to activate macOS Dictation in any application. Speak clearly, and your words appear where the cursor is positioned.

macOS Keyboard settings showing the Dictation section with enable toggle and shortcut key

📖 Apple Help: Dictate messages and documents on Mac ↗

Voice Control — full hands-free control

Voice Control lets you operate your entire Mac by voice — navigating the desktop, clicking buttons, opening apps, and dictating text. Enable it in System Settings → Accessibility → Voice Control.

macOS Voice Control settings panel showing the Enable Voice Control option and language settings

Once Voice Control is on, you can say commands such as:

  • "Open Safari" — launches the app
  • "Click [button name]" — clicks a named button
  • "Show numbers" — shows numbered labels on screen elements for selection
  • "Start dictating" or just speak — text appears in the active field
  • "Stop listening" — pauses Voice Control

📖 Apple Help: Voice Control on your Mac ↗

Offline: Both Voice Control and macOS Dictation work offline on Apple Silicon Macs and recent Intel Macs with supported hardware — no internet connection required.