How VoicePad works on iOS
VoicePad is a native iOS app with a custom keyboard extension. Enable the keyboard in Settings, then use it in any app that accepts text input.
Keyboard extension
VoicePad installs as an additional keyboard on your iPhone or iPad. Switch to it like you'd switch to an emoji keyboard. Tap the microphone button, speak, and your text appears in the active text field.
WhisperKit on-device
VoicePad uses WhisperKit, a CoreML-optimized version of Whisper designed specifically for Apple Silicon. On iPhone 12+ and M-series iPads, the Neural Engine accelerates transcription significantly.
Privacy by design
iOS keyboard extensions can optionally request "Full Access" to network. VoicePad doesn't request Full Access — the keyboard has zero network capability by design. Your voice physically cannot leave your device.
Apps it works with on iOS
Apple apps
- iMessage — dictate texts to friends and family
- Mail — compose emails hands-free
- Notes — capture ideas by voice
- Safari — search bars, web forms, any text field
- Reminders — add items by dictation
Third-party apps
- WhatsApp — works in all conversations
- Telegram — full support
- Slack — messages and threads
- Microsoft Outlook — email composition
- Notion — notes and documents
Web apps (in Safari/Chrome)
- ChatGPT / Claude — talk to AI by voice
- Gmail / Google Docs — full Google Workspace
- Any web form — if it has a text field, VoicePad works
Rule of thumb: Any app that uses the standard iOS keyboard works with VoicePad.
Technical implementation on iOS
| Component | Implementation |
|---|---|
| Whisper runtime | WhisperKit (CoreML) |
| Acceleration | Neural Engine + Metal GPU |
| Audio capture | AVAudioEngine |
| Voice detection | Silero VAD (CoreML) |
| Text injection | Keyboard extension API |
| UI framework | SwiftUI |
| Codebase | Swift (Kotlin Multiplatform shared logic) |
| Distribution | App Store |
VoicePad uses iOS's keyboard extension architecture. Unlike accessibility-based approaches, this is the officially supported way to provide custom keyboards on iOS.
VoicePad vs Apple Dictation
| Feature | VoicePad AI | Apple Dictation |
|---|---|---|
| Works offline | Yes, always | Basic only (Enhanced = cloud) |
| Accuracy | Whisper (95-98%) | Good (Enhanced), mediocre (offline) |
| Privacy | 100% on-device | Voice sent to Apple (Enhanced) |
| Neural Engine | Yes (WhisperKit) | Yes (on-device mode) |
| Custom dictionary | Yes | Limited |
| Works across devices | All 4 platforms | Apple only |
| Price | $0-50 one-time | Free |
Apple Dictation is convenient but compromises privacy in Enhanced mode. VoicePad uses Whisper with no cloud dependency and works across Windows, Mac, Android too.
System requirements
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| iOS version | iOS 15 | iOS 17+ |
| Device | iPhone 8+ | iPhone 12+ (Neural Engine) |
| iPad | iPad (6th gen)+ | M-series iPad |
| Storage | 250 MB | 500 MB |
| RAM | 3 GB | 4 GB+ |
VoicePad runs on any iPhone 8 or later. Neural Engine acceleration on iPhone 12+ and M-series iPads provides significantly faster transcription.
Frequently asked questions
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