If the microphone has disappeared from your Android keyboard, voice typing may simply be turned off in Gboard. Turn it back on from the keyboard settings, then the microphone icon should return when you open the keyboard.
Turn voice typing back on in Gboard
You need to open a place where you can type first. This can be a text message, email, note, or search field. Once Gboard is visible, use its settings to check the voice typing switch.
- Tap a text field to bring up your Android keyboard.
- Look along the top row of the Gboard keyboard for the Settings icon, which looks like a cog or gear.
- If you do not see the gear icon, tap the four-dot icon on the keyboard.
- Look for the cog or gear icon in that menu and select it. You may also be able to swipe from right to left to find Settings.
- In the Gboard settings, select Voice typing.
- Turn on the Voice typing toggle.
- Return to the app where you were typing and open the keyboard again.
The microphone icon should now appear on the keyboard. Tap it to start entering text with your voice instead of typing each word.
Video Tutorial
Allow microphone access when prompted
The first time you tap the restored microphone button, Android may ask for permission to record audio. Voice typing needs this permission to hear what you say.
When the permission prompt appears, choose While using the app or Only this time. After you allow audio recording, speak normally and your words should appear in the text field.
If you only choose Only this time, Android can ask again later. Choosing While using the app lets you continue using voice typing while you use the relevant app.
Where to find the hidden Gboard settings button
The missing microphone is not always the only confusing part. On some Gboard layouts, the settings gear is visible in the top menu. On others, it is tucked inside the four-dot menu.
Start by checking the visible icons above the letters. If there is no gear, tap the four dots. This opens more keyboard tools, including the settings option. You can also look for a Settings option with a small gear icon by swiping through the available tools from right to left.
Once you reach Gboard settings, the important option is Voice typing. You do not need to change unrelated keyboard options to bring back the microphone. Just make sure voice typing is enabled, then return to your text field and check the keyboard again.
Check which keyboard your Android phone uses
These steps show the process for Gboard, which is the Google keyboard used on many Android phones. The same phone can also use a different keyboard. For example, Samsung phones may use Samsung Keyboard instead of Gboard.
If the keyboard on your screen does not look like Gboard, the settings layout can be different. First identify the keyboard that appears when you tap a text field. Then look for that keyboard’s settings and its voice typing controls. Do not expect the Gboard four-dot menu or the exact Voice typing screen to appear on every keyboard.
If you are using Gboard, the steps above are the direct fix: open the keyboard, open its settings, select Voice typing, and enable it.
Test the microphone after restoring it
Open a message or note and tap inside the text field so Gboard appears. Look for the microphone icon, then tap it. If Android asks for audio-recording access, allow it using one of the available permission choices.
Speak a short sentence and pause. The keyboard should convert your speech into text in the field you selected. This confirms that the microphone icon is back, voice typing is enabled, and Android has the audio permission it needs.
If the icon is visible but you have not yet approved the recording prompt, voice typing cannot work until you grant permission. If the icon still does not appear after enabling Voice typing, reopen the keyboard settings and verify that the toggle remains on.
What this fix changes
Turning on Gboard voice typing restores the microphone button used for voice input. You can then dictate texts, notes, searches, and other content without manually typing everything. This is especially useful for longer messages or when typing on a small screen is inconvenient.
The key setting is inside Gboard, not inside the text message itself. Open the keyboard first, find the gear through the top menu or four-dot menu, and enable Voice typing. After that, allow microphone access when prompted and use the microphone icon to dictate your text.
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