iOS 16 Includes Revamped Dictation System With Cleaner Interface, Smarter Punctuation, and Emojis

iOS 16 includes a revamped Dictation system that features a cleaner interface that makes it easier to switch between voice and typing, as well as automatic punctuation and support for emoji insertion.

ios 16 Dictation
The new Dictation experience, powered entirely by on-device intelligence, aims to make it easier for users to switch between voice input and typing.

Unlike on previous versions of iOS, the Dictation panel no longer replaces the iOS keyboard. With iOS 16, the keyboard remains open and visible, letting users type if needed during dictation.

Dictation will now also automatically add punctuation to your text and has support for adding emojis by simply saying phrases like "mind blown emoji." Automatic punctuation and the improvements to Dictation in iOS 16 are also coming to Siri.

Related Forum: iOS 16

Popular Stories

Apple Shopping Event 2025

Apple Announces 2025 Black Friday Event, Here's What You Can Get

Thursday November 20, 2025 6:28 am PST by
Apple's annual four-day Black Friday through Cyber Monday shopping event is returning on Friday, November 28 through Monday, December 1 in many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Thailand, and others. During the shopping event, customers can get an Apple gift card with...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These New Features to Your iPhone

Thursday November 20, 2025 10:50 am PST by
iOS 26.2 is currently in beta testing. The upcoming update includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, including a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics for Apple Music, and more. In a recent press release, Apple confirmed that iOS 26.2 will be released to all users in December, but it did not provide a specific release date. Keep reading...
iPhone 17 Pro Cosmic Orange

10 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 18 Pro

Wednesday November 19, 2025 4:00 am PST by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth...
hikawa phone grip stand apple%402x

Apple Launches Second Limited-Edition iPhone Accessory in a Month

Friday November 21, 2025 3:53 am PST by
Apple has begun selling the Hikawa Phone Grip and Stand, a new limited-edition iPhone accessory designed with accessibility in mind. Designed by LA-based Bailey Hikawa to celebrate the 40th anniversary of accessibility at Apple, the grip uses magnets to securely snap onto any iPhone with MagSafe. Apple says it can be removed with ease, and doubles as a stand with two different viewing...
ipad mini 7 feature red and blue

iPad Mini 8: Four Major New Features to Expect

Wednesday November 19, 2025 7:50 am PST by
Apple's eighth-generation iPad mini is highly likely to arrive next year, offering a significant refresh of the device with at least four major new features. OLED Display The next-generation version of the iPad mini could feature an OLED display, as part of Apple's plan to expand the display technology across many more of its devices. Apple's first OLED device was the Apple Watch in 2015, ...
ipad black friday 2025

The Best Early Black Friday iPad Deals

Thursday November 20, 2025 10:20 am PST by
Black Friday is just over a week away, and iPad deals have finally started to flood in at retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. Below we're tracking discounts on every current generation iPad, including lowest-ever prices on M3 iPad Air and M5 iPad Pro, plus steep markdowns on iPad and iPad mini. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a ...
watchos 26 workout app

Apple Watch Users Claim Workout App Is Now Worse in Every Way

Thursday November 20, 2025 7:01 am PST by
Apple Watch owners have been voicing their frustration online over changes to the Workout app that Apple introduced in watchOS 26, with many finding the redesigned interface makes starting exercises difficult and exasperating. When Apple launched watchOS 26 in September, the Workout app went from large, easily tapped workout tiles to a scrolling, corner-button interface. Instead of tapping a ...
applecare apple care banner

Apple Brings New AppleCare+ Options to India

Tuesday November 18, 2025 8:42 am PST by
Apple today announced an expansion of AppleCare+ coverage in India, with new options for monthly and annual plans, and the addition of Theft and Loss for iPhone for the first time. Options for monthly and annual AppleCare+ plans in India provide more choice and flexibility, allowing users to keep coverage for as long as they require. Apple's vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Two More U.S. States Commit to Offering iPhone Driver's Licenses in Apple Wallet App

Thursday November 20, 2025 8:21 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Earlier this week, Illinois became the 13th state in the U.S. to offer the feature. Subsequently, we shared a list of additional states that are committed...

Top Rated Comments

GhostOS Avatar
45 months ago
Never mind dictation, I just wish they improved iOS's autocorrect. It used to be great but has been so awful.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
t0mbola Avatar
45 months ago
Does it have automatic language switching? That would be awesome for bilinguals.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CarAnalogy Avatar
45 months ago

it has noticeably improved in ios 16
God I hope so, at this point they would have to try really hard to make it worse.

And third party keyboard support seems to have come and gone. Real Gboard is the one thing I still miss from Android daily. Gboard for iOS is very rarely updated and does not work well. No third party keyboard seems to be anywhere near as responsive as the built-in.

I’ve turned autocorrect off because it mangles what I’m trying to type every single time, with the most irrelevant and bizarre auto corrections, with no way to teach it.

I remember listening to an Android podcast years ago just before they re-launched the Android keyboard as Gboard, and their lead keyboard scientist was talking about all kinds of fascinating and useful research they’ve done, and it really shows.

Apple is a decade behind on this somehow. I guess all the scientists they hired were for working on the car and they have apparently all moved on now too.

Apple needs to refocus on basics. Ironic to say refocus since they seem to be obsessed with Focus Modes more than anything.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DanteHicks79 Avatar
45 months ago
Waiting on the day when I see an Influenster in the wild shouting at their phone "Crossed finger emoji, tongue sticking out with one eye winky emoji, champagne emoji, party favors emoji, red 100 emoji, cry laughing emoji!"
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
christian.terra Avatar
45 months ago

Never mind dictation, I just wish they improved iOS's autocorrect. It used to be great but has been so awful.
it has noticeably improved in ios 16
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mainemini Avatar
45 months ago
Have been frustrated with MacOS' native dictation at work so looking forward to testing these improvements in MacOS Ventura as well.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)