How voice typing works on iPhone
VoicePad transforms your iPhone into a voice typing machine. Speak naturally, and WhisperKit converts your words to text — all without internet.
Keyboard extension approach
VoicePad installs as a custom keyboard. Switch to it in any app, tap the microphone button, and speak. Your words appear in the text field — iMessage, Mail, Notes, Safari, anywhere.
Type into any app
Works everywhere the keyboard appears. iMessage conversations, email composers, Safari search bars, note-taking apps, social media — if you can tap to type, VoicePad can voice type.
Neural Engine acceleration
WhisperKit uses Apple's Neural Engine for fast, efficient on-device AI. Your iPhone 12 or newer processes speech locally with no battery drain concerns.
Apps that work with voice typing
Messaging
- iMessage — type messages by voice in any conversation
- WhatsApp — voice type in groups, chats, status updates
- Telegram — DMs, groups, channels
- Signal — private messaging with private voice typing
Email & productivity
- Mail — compose emails entirely by voice
- Gmail — Google's email app support
- Notes — capture thoughts hands-free
- Reminders — add tasks by voice
Browsers & web
- Safari — search bars, web forms, any text input
- Chrome — Google's browser support
- Any web form — if you can tap it, voice type into it
Technical implementation
| Component | Implementation |
|---|---|
| AI engine | WhisperKit (Argmax) |
| Acceleration | Apple Neural Engine + CoreML |
| Audio capture | AVAudioEngine |
| Voice activity | Silero VAD (CoreML) |
| Text input | Custom Keyboard Extension |
| UI framework | SwiftUI |
| Min iOS | iOS 17.0 |
| Min device | iPhone 12 (A14) |
Native iOS APIs and Apple's Neural Engine. No jailbreak required. Keyboard extensions are the standard iOS approach for custom input methods.
VoicePad vs Apple Dictation
| Feature | VoicePad AI | Apple Dictation |
|---|---|---|
| Works offline | ✓ Always | Limited offline quality |
| Privacy | ✓ 100% on-device | Voice sent to Apple |
| Accuracy | WhisperKit (95-98%) | Good online, variable offline |
| Custom vocabulary | ✓ | Limited |
| Cross-platform sync | ✓ All platforms | Apple ecosystem only |
| History saved | ✓ Local | ✗ |
| Price | €50 one-time or free | Free with iOS |
System requirements
| Requirement | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone model | iPhone 12 | iPhone 14+ |
| iOS version | iOS 17.0 | iOS 17.4+ |
| Storage | 300 MB | 500 MB |
| Chip | A14 Bionic | A16/A17 Pro |
| Permissions | Microphone, Full Access (for keyboard) | |
Works on iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 series and iPhone SE (3rd gen). iPad with M1/M2 chips also supported.
Frequently asked questions
Get voice typing for iPhone
Free standard tier available now. Founding members get lifetime Pro access — — spots remaining.
Get VoicePad AI for iPhone