Dictation not working in iPad OS 18.4 despite being enabled

I use the dictation feature quite frequently on my apple devices. But, for my iPad Pro M1, it does not work at all despite microphone permissions enabled. I have tested this issue quite extensively making sure my microphone is not the issue. Whenever, I use dictation on my iPad, it just does not work. I have also reset the system settings and factory reset my iPad twice but the issue remains. The recent iPad OS 18.4 update has also not fixed it.

If anyone else is in the same boat as me, I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions.

iPad Pro, iPadOS 18

Posted on Apr 2, 2025 10:45 AM

Top-ranking reply

jjo5555

Level 1

28 points

Posted on May 9, 2025 12:40 AM

OK I have done some work on this to try to work out what's going on:

This happens on iPads and iPhones.
Turning Apple Intelligence of in Siri settings does NOT fix it.
Dictation will work for a bit and then stop until the device is rebooted.
It has nothing to do with AirPods (but see below)
It is not a complete disabling of the Microphone, it is ONLY dictation. For instance, when it happens in WhatsApp I can still leave a voice note, but I can't dictate.
Dictation looks like it is happening but when you stop dictation you get no text (sometimes you get just the word "No"!)
When broken. If I join the bluetooth in my car, or connect to my AirPods, dictation works. As soon as I come off it, it stops.
IT IS REALLY ANNOYING

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46 replies

May 6, 2025 6:27 AM in response to ChilledOutSaalim

Same problem. It appears to work on my iPhone and my watch. But since that update, sometimes I can’t get it to work at all. Sometimes turning it off and on we’ll get it back on for a little while. But it just keeps happening.

May 8, 2025 2:37 PM in response to ChilledOutSaalim

Same here . $1300! I should have gotten Mac book air for the same price. Are they going to fix it? We all got a lemon. So disappointed. I thought I was going to love it which is why I waited for it. Don’t want it, can’t return it. What happens now, are we all screwed?

Apr 8, 2025 3:19 PM in response to ChilledOutSaalim

i have the latest iPad Pro having the same problem. I didn’t start having the issue until I updated to 18.4

Apr 9, 2025 6:05 AM in response to Woundedknee514

Having the same problem

iPad Pro M4 13”

Very annoying!

vilray w

Level 1

18 points

Apr 9, 2025 2:07 PM in response to brbo

iPad Pro m4 microphone keeps disconnecting after the 18.4 update. I restarted my iPad but after awhile mic still stop working.

FrankMtl

Level 3

677 points

Apr 9, 2025 5:49 PM in response to ChilledOutSaalim

Same here with my M4 iPad Pro 11". After (another) reboot, dictation and SIRI will eventually no longer work though the orange dot appears indicating the mic is active. Apple, fix this please/

vilray w

Level 1

18 points

Apr 10, 2025 5:44 PM in response to brbo

I don't have AirPods, so that not causing the problem.

brbo

Level 8

38,611 points

Apr 10, 2025 5:58 PM in response to vilray w

Thank you. Jklockenklemper does have AirPods.

cchall

Level 1

4 points

Apr 11, 2025 3:45 PM in response to brbo

Where do I check to see if automatic ear detection is on?

FrankMtl

Level 3

677 points

Apr 11, 2025 3:54 PM in response to brbo

Thanks, brbo. Report submitted.👍

cchall

Level 1

4 points

Apr 11, 2025 4:36 PM in response to cchall

Well that didn’t work after all. I did send report to Apple.

FrankMtl

Level 3

677 points

Apr 19, 2025 8:47 AM in response to ChilledOutSaalim

Apple released iPadOS 18.4.1; it does NOT fix the problem.

vilray w

Level 1

18 points

Apr 21, 2025 2:44 PM in response to FrankMtl

Likewise, iPadOS 18.4.1 does not fix the problem.

paDsy

Level 1

12 points

Apr 24, 2025 2:56 AM in response to ChilledOutSaalim

Having exactly the same problem on my iPhone 16 with 18.4.1

very frustrating :-/

May 9, 2025 6:47 AM in response to greekguy2

Oh wow. Ok. So we wait then. Thanks.

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Dictation not working in iPad OS 18.4 despite being enabled