Dictation on a Mac: how to turn it on, and when an app is worth it
In short
To dictate on a Mac, turn it on in Apple menu › System Settings › Keyboard › Dictation, put your cursor where you want to write and press the Microphone key (or the shortcut you choose, like pressing the Fn key twice). It's free and adds commas and periods in supported languages. If you also want it to remove filler words, understand when you correct yourself and take notes of your meetings, an app like Loro does it: hold fn, talk and let go.
How to turn on Mac dictation
- Go to Apple menu › System Settings › Keyboard.
- Under Dictation, turn it on. If the Mac asks, click "Enable".
- Pick the language you'll dictate in and the shortcut: the Microphone key, pressing the Fn key twice, or another one you prefer.
- Put your cursor where you want to write, in any app, and use the shortcut (or Edit › Start Dictation).
- Talk. To finish, press Esc, the Microphone key or the shortcut. If you don't speak for 30 seconds, dictation turns off on its own.
On a Mac with Apple silicon you can keep using the keyboard while you dictate.
Punctuation and commands
- Auto-punctuation. In supported languages, the Mac adds commas, periods and question marks as you speak. Turn it off in Keyboard › Dictation › Auto-punctuation.
- Say the marks. You can also say their names, like "comma" or "question mark". Say "new line" or "new paragraph" to break lines.
Does it work offline?
On many Macs, dictation is processed on the computer itself and isn't sent to Siri's servers. You can check whether that's your case in System Settings › Keyboard › Dictation.
What Mac dictation doesn't do
- It types exactly what you say. The "um"s, "uh"s and repetitions stay in the text.
- It doesn't understand self-corrections. "Tuesday, no, Thursday" is typed in full.
- It doesn't take meeting notes or build a to-do list.
How to dictate on a Mac with Loro
Loro is a dictation app for Mac and Windows. It works in any app where you can type and gives you text that's ready to send.
- Download Loro for free for Mac (Apple chip or Intel, macOS 14.2 or later).
- Open it and grant the permissions the Mac asks for: the microphone, Accessibility (to type where your cursor is) and, if you want notes of your calls, Screen & System Audio Recording (step by step).
- Put your cursor where you want to write, hold fn and talk the way you talk.
- Let go. The text appears with periods, commas and capitals, without filler words.
If you started by accident, press Esc before letting go. On a Mac, Loro's pill can sit at the top, in the notch.
Mac dictation vs Loro
| Mac dictation |  Loro | |
|---|---|---|
| How you use it | The shortcut you choose | Hold fn, talk and let go |
| Price | Free | Free up to 2,000 words a week; Pro: USD 9.99 a month |
| Removes "um" and "uh" | No | Yes |
| Punctuation | Automatic, in supported languages | Yes, always |
| Understands self-corrections | No | Yes, online |
| Dictionary with your names | No | Yes, and it learns from your corrections |
| Edit by voice | No | Yes, with Pro |
| Meeting notes | No | Yes, without a bot |
| Languages | Many | English and Spanish |
Try Loro for free
Dictate in any app and get notes from your meetings, with no bot. For Windows and Mac, no card needed.
Frequently asked questions
How do I turn on dictation on a Mac?
In Apple menu › System Settings › Keyboard › Dictation. That's also where you pick the language and the shortcut.
What's the shortcut to dictate on a Mac?
Whatever you choose in Keyboard › Dictation: the Microphone key if your keyboard has one, pressing the Fn key twice, or another. You can also go to Edit › Start Dictation. With Loro, the shortcut is holding fn.
Does Mac dictation work offline?
On many Macs it's processed on the computer; you can check in Keyboard › Dictation. Loro also works offline, with its own voice model.
How do I get periods and commas?
The Mac adds them if auto-punctuation is on, or you can say them ("comma", "period"). Loro adds them on its own, without you saying them.
Does Loro work on an Intel Mac?
Yes. Loro works on Macs with Apple silicon and with Intel, on macOS 14.2 or later.
Sources
- Apple, Dictate messages and documents on Mac, checked on October 13, 2026.
- Loro, how dictation works and FAQ.
Keep reading
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Comparisons
Wispr Flow alternatives
The best Wispr Flow alternatives for dictating with your voice on a computer: Loro, Superwhisper, Monologue, and the free dictation built into Windows, Mac and Google Docs. Prices, languages, and which ones work offline.
macOS is a trademark of its owner. Loro is not affiliated with it. The details come from its official pages, checked on October 13, 2026.