Keyboard Preferences
Open the Diction app and tap Preferences to reach these settings. Every one of them is stored in a shared space the keyboard reads too, so changes take effect the next time you open the keyboard.
Language
Diction supports 99 languages. Auto-detect is on by default, so you can speak in any supported language without changing a setting. Diction figures out which language you are using and transcribes accordingly.
If you prefer to lock it to a specific language, turn off auto-detect and pick one manually. This can improve accuracy when you always dictate in the same language.
You do not need to download anything for cloud or self-hosted modes. On-device mode uses a single model that handles all supported languages.
Functional Keys
A second row of buttons sits just below the recording bar when this is on. It gives you a period, question mark, space, return, delete, and the globe key to switch keyboards, all without leaving Diction.
Useful if you want to punctuate or fix a word without reaching for another keyboard. Turn it off if you prefer the cleaner look.
Default: on.
Timeout
How long the microphone stays active after you stop talking. Once this elapses with no speech, Diction releases the mic and goes idle.
Pick what fits how you dictate:
- After dictation: releases the mic the moment your transcription comes back. Best if you usually dictate one thing at a time. If you use Bluetooth headphones, this also stops music and podcast audio from dropping into lower-quality voice-call mode while the mic is held.
- 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, and up: keep the mic ready for a quick follow-up, then release it.
- Manual: stays ready indefinitely until you tap to stop. Good for long hands-free sessions where you do not want to think about the mic.
Default: 5 minutes.
Auto Start
When the microphone gets reactivated after a suspension, or when a session reconnects, Diction can start recording automatically rather than waiting for you to tap.
Most people leave this on. Turn it off if you want explicit control over when recording starts.
Default: on.
Hand
Moves the confirm button and the speech indicator to the side that matches your dominant hand. Right-handed layout puts the confirm button on the right. Left-handed puts it on the left.
Default: Right.
Haptic Feedback
The keyboard vibrates on key moments: mic start, mic stop, successful transcription, and errors. You feel the state change without looking at the screen. Useful when you are dictating while walking or glancing away.
Turn it off in Preferences if you prefer silent operation.
Default: on.