How To Talk To Text On Samsung S20: Easy Setup Guide

To talk to text on your Samsung S20, enable the voice input feature through Settings and use the microphone icon on the Samsung Keyboard to dictate messages instead of typing. This talk to text Samsung s20 feature converts your spoken words into text in any app, saving time and allowing hands-free communication.

How to enable talk to text on your Samsung S20

Activating voice typing on your Galaxy S20 requires a few steps through the system settings. You can choose between Google Voice Typing and Samsung Voice Input as your preferred voice engine.

Open the Settings app on your Samsung S20.
Tap on "General management".
Tap on "Keyboard list and default".
Ensure that "Samsung Keyboard" is selected as your default keyboard.
Within "Keyboard list and default", enable "Google Voice Typing" and/or "Samsung Voice Input" by toggling them on.
Go back to "General management" and tap on "Samsung Keyboard settings".
Tap on "Voice input" and select your preferred voice engine: either "Samsung voice input" or "Google Voice Typing".

If you encounter issues with the microphone not responding, check your voice assistant and microphone fixes by verifying that the microphone permission is granted for the keyboard app and that no other app is blocking audio access.

How to use voice typing in any app

Once enabled, using talk to text is straightforward in any application that accepts text input, such as Messages or Notes.

Open any app where you can type text, such as Messages or Notes.
Tap on a text field to bring up the on-screen keyboard.
Tap the microphone icon on the keyboard to start voice typing.
Speak clearly and at a natural pace when the microphone icon is active, and your voice will be converted into text.

To insert punctuation by voice, simply speak the punctuation mark, for example, say "comma", "period", or "question mark" at the appropriate points in your speech. The feature will automatically insert the correct symbol.

Choosing the best voice engine: Google vs. Samsung

Your Samsung S20 offers two voice input options, each with distinct advantages. Google Voice Typing is often preferred by users for its superior accuracy in handling punctuation, natural speech, and corrections. It works best with an active internet connection and provides reliable transcription even for longer dictations. Samsung Voice Input, on the other hand, can support offline speech-to-text if language packs are pre-downloaded, making it ideal for situations without internet access. For most users, Google Voice Typing delivers the best real-time accuracy, while Samsung Voice Input is the better choice when you need to dictate without a data connection.

How to download offline language packs

To use talk to text without an internet connection using Samsung Voice Input, you must first download offline language packs. To download offline language packs, go to Settings > General management > Samsung Keyboard settings > Voice input > Install offline language pack. From there, select the language you need and follow the prompts to download it. Once installed, Samsung Voice Input will transcribe your speech locally on the device, even when you are offline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use talk to text on any app on my Samsung S20?

Yes, talk to text works with any app that requires text input, including messaging apps, email clients, notes, and web browsers. The microphone icon appears on the keyboard whenever a text field is active.

How accurate is talk to text on the Samsung S20?

Accuracy depends on your pronunciation, background noise, and the voice engine selected. Google Voice Typing generally provides higher accuracy with natural speech and punctuation, while Samsung Voice Input performs reliably offline but may require clearer enunciation.

Does talk to text support languages other than English?

Yes, the feature supports multiple languages. You can change the voice input language in Samsung Keyboard settings, and for offline use, you must download the corresponding language pack from the offline language pack menu.

Why is my microphone icon not showing on the keyboard?

This usually occurs if voice input is not enabled in Keyboard list and default settings. Ensure both Google Voice Typing and Samsung Voice Input are toggled on, and that Samsung Keyboard is set as your default keyboard.

Can I edit text after dictating on the Samsung S20?

Yes, after voice typing inserts text, you can tap on the text field and manually edit it just like typed text. You can also continue dictating additional content by tapping the microphone icon again.

For the wider topic, see voice assistant and microphone fixes.