Where do I turn on dictation on a Mac?

Apple menu › System Settings › Keyboard, then Dictation. The same section has the shortcut, the microphone and the languages.

Why does dictation on my Mac stop by itself?

The dictation built into macOS stops when it hears no speech for 30 seconds. Start it again with your shortcut or with Edit › Start Dictation.

Why does dictation start but type nothing?

Usually it is listening to the wrong microphone, or no text field was selected. Check Dictation's Microphone source in Keyboard settings and click into the field before you start. With Volna, also check that it is switched on under Privacy & Security › Microphone.

Why does Volna put the text on the clipboard instead of typing it?

Volna types the text in only when it is allowed under Privacy & Security › Accessibility. Without that permission, the text goes to the clipboard and you press ⌘V.

Does Volna need the internet to work?

Only to download its speech model the first time and to check for updates. Recognition runs on your Mac, offline.

Mac dictation not working? A checklist that fixes most cases

The dictation built into macOS

Is Dictation on? Choose Apple menu › System Settings, click Keyboard in the sidebar and look at Dictation. If it is off, turn it on; macOS may ask you to confirm first.
Does the shortcut do what you think? In the same place, the Shortcut menu sets the keys that start Dictation. If you start it with the fn (globe) key, Keyboard settings also need "Press fn key to" set to Start Dictation; then you press the key twice. To rule the shortcut out, choose Edit › Start Dictation in the app's menu bar: if that works, the shortcut is the problem.
Is it listening to the right microphone? Dictation's Microphone source can be a specific device or Automatic, which listens to "the device you're most likely to use for Dictation". With AirPods, a headset or a USB microphone, choose it there.
Is your language set? Dictation lets you choose one or more languages, and Apple notes it is not available in all languages or regions. Dictate in a language you have added.
It stops by itself? That is by design: Apple's guide says Dictation stops when it hears no speech for 30 seconds. Start it again, and it takes text of any length while you talk.

From Apple's Mac User Guide (Use Dictation on your Mac, Keyboard settings), checked October 27, 2026. Menu names can differ slightly between macOS versions.

Volna

Check the Mac. Volna needs a Mac with Apple Silicon and macOS 26 or later. Apple menu › About This Mac shows both the chip and the macOS version.
Allow the microphone. It is the one permission Volna cannot work without. Apple menu › System Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone: switch Volna on.
Let it download the speech model once. Volna recognizes your voice with a speech model on your Mac, downloaded the first time. Keep the Mac online until it is done; after that, Volna works offline.
Use its keys. Tap the right ⌘ to start and tap it again to stop, or use ⌥Space. Esc cancels a dictation.
The text lands on the clipboard instead of in the field? Then Volna is not allowed to type for you. Apple menu › System Settings › Privacy & Security › Accessibility: add Volna with the + button and switch it on. Without it, press ⌘V to paste.
Still stuck? Write to us from the support page: say which Mac and macOS you have and what you see.

Good habits for any dictation

Click into the text field first, so the text has somewhere to go.
Speak at your normal pace, in whole phrases; pausing to think is fine.
In a noisy room, a headset microphone close to your mouth helps more than speaking louder.

Mac dictation not working? Check these, in order.

The dictation built into macOS

Volna

Good habits for any dictation

More

Questions and answers

Dictation with one key, in any app.