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To talk to ChatGPT and hear its reply, open the official app or website and select the Voice icon in the message area. Allow microphone access when asked, then begin speaking. The small microphone used for dictation is a different control: it turns a recording into text you can review before sending.
Voice conversation versus microphone dictation
| Feature | What you do | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Voice | Select the Voice control and speak | Have a spoken conversation and hear replies |
| Dictation | Select the microphone to record a message | Receive editable text, then choose whether to send it |
| Device speech-to-text | Use your phone or computer’s own dictation | Enter text through the operating system; this is separate from ChatGPT Voice |
OpenAI’s dictation FAQ explains the recording-to-text process. If you want to correct a name or rewrite the message before sending it, dictation may be the easier choice.
Start ChatGPT Voice on a phone
- Open the official ChatGPT app and sign in.
- Open a chat and select the Voice icon in the message bar.
- Allow the app to use the microphone if prompted.
- Follow any first-use voice selection prompts, then speak normally.
- Use the microphone control inside the conversation to mute or unmute, and the exit control to finish.
Use ChatGPT Voice in a desktop browser
Sign in at chatgpt.com, select the Voice icon in the prompt area, and allow the browser’s microphone request. OpenAI’s current Voice guide covers web and app controls, available experiences, and plan limits.
You do not need to select the old GPT-4 model described in earlier versions of this article. Voice availability and limits depend on your account, plan, region, app version, and workspace settings. Check the experience offered on your platform rather than assuming the same controls or limits apply everywhere.
Check the desktop app’s current Voice controls
The ChatGPT desktop app can offer Start voice chat or Start new voice chat. OpenAI’s desktop Voice guide explains microphone access, voice selection, availability and existing-task support. If the option is missing, check app and host updates, account access and workspace restrictions. Dictation remains a different way to enter prompt text.
If ChatGPT cannot hear you
- Check the selected microphone. A headset, webcam, or display may be selected instead of your intended mic.
- Check mute controls. Look at the headset’s physical switch and the control inside the Voice conversation.
- Review permissions. Both the browser/app and the operating system can block microphone access. If you previously denied it, reopen the relevant permission settings.
- Test elsewhere. Make a short recording in the device’s recorder app. If that also fails, investigate the device’s input settings.
- Use headphones and a quieter room. Speaker feedback and background voices can make recognition harder.
If your keyboard or a stuck shortcut is interfering while you switch between speaking and typing, see our Windows keyboard settings guide. For gaze-based computer input instead, our Windows eye-control guide explains the required hardware.
If the Voice button is missing
Update the official app, confirm you are signed into the intended account, and check your account’s settings and any workspace restrictions. A usage-limit message is different from a microphone problem. Follow the displayed limit rather than repeatedly reinstalling the app.
Before speaking about something private
Review ChatGPT’s Data Controls and the current audio-sharing settings. Dictation sends your recording for transcription; it is not simply a local keyboard. Avoid reading passwords, one-time codes, or other people’s private details aloud.
Check important names, numbers, dates, and instructions in the text conversation. A fluent spoken reply can still be wrong. Voice is convenient for discussion, but it does not remove the need to verify important information.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the microphone only turn my speech into text?
You may be using dictation. Voice conversation is a separate control that lets you speak with ChatGPT and hear replies.
Do I need a headset for ChatGPT Voice?
A working built-in microphone can be enough. Headphones can help reduce feedback and make it easier to hear replies.
Why is Voice unavailable in an existing desktop task?
Availability depends on the app, account, rollout and workspace. Check for app or host updates and the options actually shown in your task.
Does a usage-limit message mean my microphone is broken?
No. A usage limit and an audio-input problem are different. Follow the displayed limit and test the microphone separately.