What you need on iPhone or iPad
A short checklist before you install ListenUp Dictation on iOS or iPadOS.
iOS or iPadOS 17.6 or later
ListenUp Dictation supports recent iPhone and iPad models running iOS or iPadOS 17.6 and newer.
A ListenUp account
Sign in with Apple or Google during setup. Your dictionary and settings sync across devices.
A working microphone
Your iPhone or iPad’s built-in microphone is enough. No external mic is required.
An internet connection
Needed for sign-in and the first language model download. Transcription runs on-device whenever possible.
On iPhone and iPad, ListenUp works through a custom keyboard. You'll enable it during setup so dictation works inside any app.
Install ListenUp on iPhone or iPad
The iOS setup flow prepares the app, the custom keyboard, microphone access, and your first dictation.
- 1
Open ListenUp Dictation on the App Store.
- 2
Tap Get or the download icon.
- 3
Open ListenUp Dictation.
- 4
Follow the setup wizard.
Set up ListenUp on iPhone or iPad
The iOS setup wizard prepares the keyboard, requests microphone access, and walks you through your first dictations.
- 1
Start setup
The setup wizard starts with a short introduction. Tap Let's Go.
- 2
Sign in
Choose Sign in with Apple or Sign in with Google. Signing in syncs your dictionary and settings across devices.
- 3
Download a language
Choose your dictation language. ListenUp downloads the AI model for that language so dictation can start quickly and work on-device whenever possible. Setup can continue while the model finishes in the background.
- 4
Grant microphone access
Tap Continue and allow microphone access when iOS asks. ListenUp records only when you start dictation. Audio is transcribed on-device whenever possible; if the iOS model is still preparing, encrypted cloud transcription may be used briefly and the audio is deleted after your text is returned.
- 5
Enable the ListenUp keyboard
Tap Open Settings, then Keyboards, then turn on ListenUp Dictation and Allow Full Access. Full Access lets the keyboard communicate with the ListenUp app so dictation can start, stop, and return text correctly.
- 6
Switch to the ListenUp keyboard
Tap into the text field shown in setup, press and hold the globe icon on the keyboard, and choose ListenUp Dictation from the keyboard list.
- 7
Complete the tutorials
iOS setup walks you through Normal Dictation in a message-style conversation and Smart Dictation in a mail-style compose screen. Finish both tutorials to learn the start, stop, review, and command-prefix flow.
Use ListenUp on iPhone & iPad
Turn the app on from the Dashboard, switch to the ListenUp keyboard in any app, and start dictating.
Turn ListenUp on
Open the Dashboard tab and tap the large microphone/power control. When ListenUp is on, the dashboard shows an active status. When it is off, tap the same control to start it again.
Dictate from the keyboard
- 1Open any app where you can type.
- 2Switch to the ListenUp Dictation keyboard using the globe key.
- 3Start dictation from the ListenUp keyboard.
- 4Speak clearly.
- 5Stop dictation when you are done.
- 6Review the inserted text before sending or saving it.
If the keyboard says Full Access is required, go to Settings > ListenUp Dictation > Keyboards and turn on Allow Full Access.
Use Smart Dictation
Start your instruction with "ListenUp" when you want the app to draft or transform text. If you skip the prefix, the app treats the recording as normal dictation.
ListenUp, write a polite reply saying Friday afternoon works for me
iPhone and iPad tabs
Dashboard
Turn ListenUp on or off and view your free-trial status when a trial is active.
Dictionary
Add words, names, or replacements that ListenUp should recognize or format consistently.
History
Review past dictations. Some entries support inspecting details or replaying local recording history.
Settings
Re-run the tutorial, check permissions, manage your subscription, change language, toggle haptic feedback, and read privacy and legal information.
Troubleshooting on iPhone & iPad
Quick fixes for the iOS issues people run into most often. Most problems are resolved by checking the keyboard permissions.
The ListenUp keyboard is missing
Open iOS Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards and make sure ListenUp Dictation is listed and enabled. If it is missing, add it again from Add New Keyboard.
The keyboard asks for Full Access
Open iOS Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > ListenUp Dictation and turn on Allow Full Access. Return to the app where you were typing and switch back to the ListenUp keyboard.
Microphone access is denied
Open iOS Settings > ListenUp Dictation and make sure Microphone is enabled. If you previously denied microphone access, you can grant it from this screen.
ListenUp says the AI model is missing
Open ListenUp Settings > Language and reselect your language. ListenUp will download the model again.
Dictation stops because of a plan or trial limit
Open the Settings tab inside the ListenUp app and choose Subscription. Choose a plan or manage your subscription to continue dictating.
Smart Dictation is not generating a draft
Make sure your instruction starts with "ListenUp". For better results, include what you want, the audience, and the length - for example, "ListenUp, write a friendly three-bullet update for my manager".
iPhone & iPad quick reference
Bookmark this for the paths you reach for most often on iOS and iPadOS.
iOS / iPadOS 17.6 or later
- Turn ListenUp on/off
- Dashboard tab inside the app.
- Use dictation
- Switch to the ListenUp Dictation keyboard in any app.
- Smart Dictation prefix
- Start instructions with "ListenUp".
- Change language
- In-app Settings > Language.
- Check permissions
- In-app Settings > Check Permissions.
- Re-run tutorial
- In-app Settings > Re-run Tutorial.
- Manage subscription
- In-app Settings > Subscription.
Ready to dictate on iPhone or iPad?
Download ListenUp from the App Store and start dictating in minutes - free, no credit card.