The microphone key on a Mac keyboard: what it does, and what to use if you do not have one
By Ryleigh Newman · Published
The microphone key in the top row of recent Mac keyboards, on F5, starts Dictation. Press and release it to dictate. Press and hold it to activate Siri, if Siri is enabled. If your keyboard has no microphone key, use the Dictation keyboard shortcut set in System Settings, Keyboard, or choose Edit, Start Dictation in the app you are typing in.
I make YapToText, a free dictation app for the Mac, so read the section about it with that in mind. Apple's facts are from its Mac User Guide for macOS 27, read October 10, 2026.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
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Three ways to start Dictation
From Apple's guide Dictate messages and documents on Mac, read October 10, 2026.
| Way | How | Needs |
|---|---|---|
| The microphone key | Press and release | A keyboard with the key in its row of function keys |
| The Dictation shortcut | The one chosen in System Settings, Keyboard, under Dictation | Dictation turned on |
| The Edit menu | Edit, then Start Dictation | An app with a text field in front |
Dictation has to be on first: System Settings, Keyboard, Dictation, then Enable. When the cursor is highlighted and pulsing, or you hear the tone, speak.
Press for Dictation, hold for Siri
The same key does two jobs. A press and release starts Dictation. A press and hold activates Siri. If you get Siri when you wanted Dictation, you held the key too long. Tap the microphone key like a letter, do not lean on it.
The Fn or Globe key can do it too
In System Settings, Keyboard, the option Press fn key to, or Press Globe key to on newer keyboards, sets what that key does: Change Input Source, Show Emoji & Symbols, Start Dictation, or Do Nothing. With Start Dictation chosen, pressing the key twice starts dictating. If the emoji picker keeps opening when you wanted dictation, this is the setting to change.
What Start Dictation in the Edit menu means
Many Mac apps show Start Dictation at the bottom of their Edit menu. It is the same Dictation, started with the pointer instead of a key, and it appears because the feature belongs to macOS, not to the app. It does nothing harmful if you choose it by accident: press Escape to stop. Turning Dictation off in Keyboard settings is how you stop the key from starting it.
If the key does nothing
- Dictation is off. System Settings, Keyboard, Dictation.
- The top row is set to act as F1 to F12. Hold Fn with the key, or change the function key setting in Keyboard settings.
- Voice Control is on. Apple's guide says standard Dictation is not available while Voice Control is on. You dictate through Voice Control instead.
- Nothing is selected to type into. Click a text field first.
The Mac dictation troubleshooting page goes further, and the dictation shortcut page lists every built-in way to start it.
A dictation key of your own choosing
Apple's key is fixed to Apple's Dictation. YapToText is my free dictation app, and its key is whichever you pick: Right Command by default, tapped once to start and once to stop, or any single key, including an F-key or a number pad key. A tap only counts when no other key was pressed, so shortcuts are safe. It runs Whisper and a cleanup step on the Mac, which removes filler words and fixes punctuation.
If your hands find a keyboard key hard to reach, InputConfig, my other free app, can press the dictation key from a mouse button, a controller or a switch. Its guide to starting dictation from any button has the steps, and the one-key dictation guide covers switches and pedals.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
The short version
- The key. The microphone on F5. Press for Dictation, hold for Siri.
- No key. The Dictation shortcut in Keyboard settings, or Edit, Start Dictation.
- Fn or Globe. Press twice, if set to Start Dictation.
- Dead key. Dictation off, function key mode, or Voice Control on.
- Your own key. YapToText, any single key.
If your keyboard behaves differently, open an issue on GitHub. Every one gets read.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
Related
Sources
- https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-dictation-mh40584/mac (checked 2026-10-10)
- https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/keyboard-settings-kbdm162/mac (checked 2026-10-10)
- https://inputconfig.com/questions/how-to-start-dictation-from-any-button-on-mac (checked 2026-10-10)
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/yaptotext/id6786382289 (checked 2026-10-10)
Questions
What is the microphone key on a Mac keyboard?
The key with a microphone icon in the top row, on F5 on recent Mac keyboards. A press starts Dictation and a hold activates Siri.
What is the microphone shortcut on a Mac?
Press and release the microphone key, or use the Dictation shortcut chosen in System Settings, Keyboard. With Fn set to Start Dictation, press Fn twice.
Why does my microphone key open Siri?
Holding the key activates Siri. Press and release it to start Dictation.
What does Start Dictation in the Edit menu do?
It starts the Mac's built-in Dictation in the current text field, the same as the key.
My Mac keyboard has no microphone key. How do I dictate?
Use the Dictation keyboard shortcut from System Settings, Keyboard, or choose Edit, Start Dictation.