# How to Enable Dictation on Mac

> Abdul Osama (عبدول أسامة) explains how to use Dictation on Mac to type by speaking. Enable it in keyboard settings, choose a language and shortcut, then speak where you would normally type.

- By Abdul Osama (عبدول أسامة) — AI, marketing and business, in Arabic
- 5 October 2026
- URL: https://abdulosama.com/en/feed/enable-dictation-on-mac
- Video: https://abdulosama.com/feed/video/83
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTcXR3JDJjI/

## Key takeaways

- Enable Dictation in your Mac’s keyboard settings.
- Choose Arabic, English or another language.
- Set a shortcut; Abdul says he uses F5.
- Speak to enter text in apps such as Notes or in a browser.

To type by speaking on a Mac, enable Dictation in keyboard settings, choose your language and set a shortcut. Abdul Osama (عبدول أسامة) suggests this for anyone who finds speaking easier or faster than using a keyboard.

## How to set it up

1. Open Settings, the app for changing your Mac’s settings, and go to the keyboard settings.
2. Enable Dictation, the feature that turns what you say into typed text.
3. Choose Arabic, English or another language, and select a shortcut. Abdul says he uses F5, which he describes as his default shortcut.
4. Open a place where you can type, such as Notes, Apple’s note-taking app, or a web browser. Use the shortcut and speak instead of typing.

> “Instead of typing, you can speak, and it immediately writes what you say in Arabic or English.” — Abdul Osama

## What to do next

Try Dictation in a text field with the language you plan to speak. The tip is especially relevant if you prefer talking to typing or sometimes find the keyboard slow.

## Questions and answers

### How do I turn on voice typing on Mac?

Open Settings, go to keyboard settings, enable Dictation, then choose a language and shortcut.

### Can Mac Dictation type in Arabic and English?

Abdul says you can select Arabic, English or another language in the Dictation settings.

### Which Dictation shortcut does Abdul use?

He says he uses F5. You can choose a shortcut you prefer.

### Where can I use Dictation?

Abdul describes using it in apps, including Notes, and in a web browser.

## Full transcript

لو انت زي بتحب تتكلم أكتر ما تكتب وتحس إن الكتابة على الكيبورد ساعات بتبقى بطيئة أو متابعة خلينا أوريك حاجة بسيطة جدا على الماك هتفرق معاك جدا. ادخل على الsettings وفعل الdictation من الكيبورد تقدر تختار عربي إنجليزي أو أي لغة وتحدد شورتكات تحبه. أنا مثلا باختار الزرار الدفولت اللي هو F5 ومن أي برنامج cloud, notes أو حتى الweb browser بدل ما تكتب تقدر تتكلم ويكتب لك فورا اللي انت بتقوله بالعربي أو بالإنجليزي. ما تنساش تبعته لحد أكيد هيستفيد للخصائص دي.

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Transcribed and written up with AI from the video; reviewed on request.