How to Fix Missing Microphone Key in Keyboard on iPhone

Want to Fix Missing Microphone Key in Keyboard on the iPhone?

Apple is always working to benefit its users largely by providing convenient features on its devices. One such feature is the microphone key on the iPhone keyboard, which allows you to type by using your voice. Once you tap this button, usually found on the bottom left corner of the keyboard, Siri listens for your voice and types it out.

This feature is extremely helpful in times when you feel like you need to type shorter sentences and paragraphs. However, if you cannot find this option anywhere on your device’s keyboard, it may be due to a number of reasons, such as disabled Dictation mode, etc.

There are various methods to fix the missing microphone key on the keyboard on an iPhone, and in this article, we’ve collected some of the most effective methods to do so. This includes restarting the device to get rid of bugs, enabling Siri and more.

So, let’s begin!

1. Ensure Dictation Mode Is Enabled.

The Dictation mode allows users to convert their voice into text. If this option is disabled on your device, the microphone key on your keyboard will most likely be missing. So, one of the easiest troubleshooting methods for a disappearing microphone key is to enable the dictation mode. 

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Go to Settings from your iPhone. 
  2. Next, tap on General and select Keyboard
  3. Finally, scroll down and turn the toggle on for Enable Dictation
enable dictation iPhone

Afterward, check your keyboard, and the microphone key should appear. If not, consider following the next method from this guide. 

2. Enable Siri and Modify Its Settings.

Siri is a virtual Apple assistant that interacts with users over voice and follows various commands such as calling, texting, playing music, etc. Some users have reported that by enabling Siri, they were able to see the microphone key on the keyboard. 

So, follow these steps to do it:

  1. Start by going to the Settings app from your device. 
  2. After that, select the Siri & Search option. 
  3. Then, turn the toggle on for Listen for “Hey Siri” under the Ask Siri section.
Missing Microphone Key in Keyboard on iPhone
  1. From the pop-up that appears, choose Enable Siri
  2. Finally, switch on the toggle for Allow Siri When Locked
Missing Microphone Key in Keyboard on iPhone

This should solve the missing microphone key in the keyboard on the iPhone problem. 

3. Disable Bluetooth.

The microphone input may be being used by the Bluetooth device you have connected to on your iPhone. So, another way to troubleshoot the missing microphone key is to disconnect the device or disable Bluetooth. 

Here’s what you must do:

  1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access the Control Center. 
  2. Afterward, tap on the highlighted Bluetooth icon to disable it. 
disable Bluetooth on iPhone

Alternatively, you may also disable Bluetooth by following these steps:

  1. Launch the Settings app on your device. 
  2. Then, tap on Bluetooth
disable Bluetooth on iPhone
  1. Lastly, turn off the toggle for Bluetooth

4. Restart the App.

Oftentimes, the microphone key may not appear while using specific apps, such as Google Hangouts, Notes, Whatsapp, etc. This may occur due to a temporary glitch within the app. In these cases, restarting the app will fix the issue and bring your grayed-out microphone key back to normal. 

Here’s how:

  1. From the home screen of your iPhone, swipe up from the bottom to access the App Switcher. 
  2. Swipe left or right to find the app that you want to restart. 
force quit apps iPhone
  1. Now, swipe up from the app’s preview to close it and head back to the home screen.
  2. At last, restart the app by tapping on it from your home screen. 

You should now be able to see the missing microphone key in the keyboard on the iPhone. Otherwise, restart your iPhone by following the steps mentioned below. 

5. Restart Your Device.

Restarting your iPhone is known to fix common iPhone problems. It also removes any temporary bugs within your system that may prevent the microphone key from appearing on your keyboard. So, if the missing microphone key issue is not resolved by restarting the specific app, we recommend that you restart your device. 

To do so, follow the steps below:

  1. Head over to Settings from your device. 
  2. Next, tap on General
  3. Scroll all the way down and select Shut Down
  4. The power off slider will appear on the screen. Drag the slider to the right to power off your iPhone. 
restart your iPhone
  1. Now, restart your device by pressing and holding the Side button and letting go once the Apple logo appears.

6. Update Your iOS.

If the microphone key in the keyboard is missing for all the apps on your iPhone instead of just a selected few, the problem is widespread. This means that restarting the specific app may not have resolved your issue. In these cases, check for any pending software updates and install them on your iPhone. 

Here’s what you must do:

  1. Open Settings on your device. 
  2. Head to General and tap on Software Update
  3. Wait till the device loads any available software updates. 
  4. If there’s a pending iOS update, tap on Download and Install to update to the latest iOS version. 
update iOS

Once done, the missing microphone key in the keyboard should appear. 

7. Remove All Third-Party Keyboards.

Another reason behind the missing microphone key in your keyboard may be a third-party keyboard. If you’re using a third-party keyboard app, such as Gboard, Typewise, etc, the microphone key may not be available. Therefore, disable their access to the keyboard or uninstall their keyboard app from your device.

Here’s how:

  1. From the Settings app, go to General
  2. Then, select Keyboards
  3. After that, tap on the third-party keyboard that you’re using. 
  4. Finally, turn the toggle off next to Allow Full Access
Missing Microphone Key in Keyboard on iPhone

Once you’re back to using the normal iPhone keyboard, you should be able to see the microphone key. 

8. Reset All Settings.

If none of the solutions helped to bring back the missing microphone key, the last resort is to reset all settings on your iPhone. This way, your device will be back to the default settings, and any issue causing the microphone to disappear from the keyboard will be fixed. 

Follow the steps below to reset all settings on your iPhone:

  1. Go to Settings and select General
  2. Scroll down and tap on Transfer or Reset iPhone
  3. Now, choose Reset and tap on Reset All Settings
Reset iPhone
  1. At last, provide your iPhone’s passcode and follow the on-screen prompts to continue resetting your device. 

This concludes our guide on how to fix the missing microphone key in the keyboard on iPhone. If you have further queries or suggestions, leave them in the comments section below. We’ll get back to you in no time. Also, if you found this guide helpful, don’t forget to share it with your family and friends. 

If this guide helped you, please share it. 😊

Author

  • Aimen Choudhry

    Aimen Choudhry is an architecture student who has always been fascinated by science. She now finds her therapy researching and writing about the latest technology and the issues that come alongside. Otherwise, you’ll find her playing video games, listening to music, or watching fantasy/sci-fi movies.

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