How to use voice-to-text (or microphone) on Samsung Keyboard after One UI 6.1 update

Are you a Samsung user who recently updated to One UI 6.1, only to find the trusty voice-to-text button (the microphone icon) missing from your Samsung Keyboard? You’re not alone! I’ve been seeing a surge of reports (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11) from confused users across forums and social media. The good news is that Samsung hasn’t actually scrapped voice-to-text functionality. The button has simply been relocated, which makes it a bit trickier to locate for those who are used to the old layout.

Here’s how to find and use Samsung Keyboard’s voice-to-text after the update:

Check the navigation bar: The voice-to-text button (microphone icon) is now tucked away in the bottom-left corner of your navigation bar. It should be visible whenever the keyboard is open.

Not Showing? Enable the keyboard button: If you don’t see the microphone icon, there’s a simple fix:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap General Management.
3. Select Keyboard list and default.
4. Toggle Keyboard button on Navigation bar to the “on” position.

That’s it! The microphone icon should now be readily available for convenient voice-to-text input. From what I gathered, performing these steps helped just about everyone to find or get back the voice-to-text button when using Samsung Keyboard.

If you don’t prefer reaching to the bottom of the screen to activate the feature, then you can do so by making a tweak to trigger the voice-to-text function by pressing the space bar on the keyboard, as highlighted by a user. To do this, follow the steps below:

Open the Settings app and navigate to the General Management section. From there, select Samsung Keyboard settings, then tap on Swipe, touch, and feedback. Under this menu, find the Touch and hold spacebar option. Tap on it and change the setting to Voice Input. Once you’ve made this change, you can activate voice input at any time by simply pressing and holding the space bar on your Samsung keyboard.

It’s unclear why Samsung made this change in One UI 6.1. Maybe they aim to streamline the keyboard’s appearance or make room for future features. Whatever the reason, the new location can be disorienting for users who are used to the previous layout. Here’s what some users have to say:

I have a S22+ & can’t seem to find the talk to text microphone button that I’ve always seen on all my other devices? Any suggestions on how to get this fixed, if even possible!!

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Hello all. Did my update yesterday, and now my Samsung keyboard no longer has the microphone for talk to text. Went into all the settings and could not find it anywhere to add. Even tried the option for Google Voice and no microphone button the access voice input.

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I use my right hand, on the s23ultra, now I can’t reach the voice to text while one hand operating.

If you find the new location inconvenient, then sadly there’s not much you can do. Given the fact that there are several threads about the issue on Samsung’s official forums, I suspect the company at least has a hint that many users don’t like the new placement. However, unless there’s a lot more backlash, I don’t expect Samsung to revert the change. That said, I hope you found this article helpful. In case you did, please feel free to tap that like button.

Inline image credits: Samsung Care Ambassador – GaryB82