Some Apple users are reporting frustrating issues with voice dictation and Siri following the recent iOS and iPadOS 18.4 update. Reports have surfaced on Apple’s community forums and Reddit, detailing how these core features have become unreliable or stopped working entirely for some.
Users describe situations where tapping the microphone icon for dictation does nothing, or where Siri simply fails to respond to commands. One user, ChilledOutSaalim, noted on an Apple forum that dictation on their iPad Pro M1 “does not work at all despite microphone permissions enabled”, even after extensive troubleshooting including factory resets. Another user, FrankMtl, shared a similar experience with an M4 iPad Pro: “After (another) reboot, dictation and SIRI will eventually no longer work though the orange dot appears indicating the mic is active”.
Similarly, there are multiple other threads on Reddit discussing the issues. I’ve shared a few reports from those users below for reference:
The problem doesn’t seem isolated to a single device model, with reports mentioning various iPhones and iPads, including newer models like the iPhone 16 Pro Max and M4 iPad Pro. While the microphone indicator often shows it’s active, the system fails to pick up the user’s voice for dictation or Siri commands. Interestingly, for some users, the microphone still works correctly in other applications like Voice Memos or during phone calls. I wasn’t able to test this myself on iOS 18.4 since my iPhone is on the latest iOS 18.5 beta. That said, everyone works just fine on the beta.
Many affected users have found that restarting their iPhone or iPad provides a temporary fix, only for the issue to reappear later. This intermittent behavior adds to the frustration, especially for those who rely heavily on voice features. User Jklockenkemper expressed this sentiment, stating the issue affected “the whole range of mic-enabled apps” including Teams and FaceTime, asking, “how in 2025 are you breaking basic device functionality with a dot upgrade?”.
Some users have tried workarounds like turning off Siri’s AI features or adjusting keyboard settings, with mixed results. I also found a report on Open AI’s community forums highlighting a concern with voice input not working in the app following iOS 18.4. But it’s possible that might be due to an unrelated bug.
Nevertheless, the exact cause remains unclear, but multiple users pinpointed the problems starting immediately after installing the 18.4 update. For now, it seems affected users might just have to wait for an update to address the situation. Of course, we’ll keep an eye out for any possible workarounds or solutions in the meantime.
Dwayne Cubbins
838 Posts
For nearly a decade, I've been deciphering the complexities of the tech world, with a particular passion for helping users navigate the ever-changing tech landscape. From crafting in-depth guides that unlock your phone's hidden potential to uncovering and explaining the latest bugs and glitches, I make sure you get the most out of your devices. And yes, you might occasionally find me ranting about some truly frustrating tech mishaps.
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