How can I improve my voice-to-text on Android?

Voice-to-text technology allows Android users to dictate speech which is then converted into text. This can be handy for quickly composing messages, emails, notes and more without having to type. However, the accuracy of Android’s built-in speech recognition can vary. Factors like background noise, microphone quality, and unclear diction can result in incorrect transcriptions.

There are several reasons why Android users may want to improve the accuracy of voice-to-text:

To reduce errors and mistakes when dictating messages or documents

To enable quicker and more convenient hands-free typing
To use voice input in noisy environments more reliably
To utilize voice commands and search queries more effectively

To get higher quality transcriptions when recording audio notes or interviews

Thankfully, there are some steps Android users can take to boost voice-to-text accuracy. The tips in this guide will cover software adjustments, microphone suggestions, using alternative apps, and more.

Check Your Android Version

Newer Android versions have improved voice recognition capabilities. The latest Android 12 release includes enhanced voice commands and controls. To take advantage of the newest voice features, you’ll want to make sure your Android is up-to-date.

To check your Android version, go to Settings > About Phone. Look for the Android Version or Software Version. This will show the specific version number such as Android 12.

If your device is not running the latest Android release, you may be able to update to a newer version if it’s supported by your phone manufacturer. Go to Settings > System > Advanced > System Update to check for any available updates.

Upgrading to the newest Android version will give you access to the latest voice typing improvements and accuracy enhancements. With Android 12 and higher, you can enjoy faster and more reliable dictation.

Use Google Voice Typing

Google’s own voice typing technology found in Gboard is often more accurate than the built-in voice typing on Android (Reddit). Google has invested significant resources into developing highly accurate speech recognition. To take advantage of Google’s voice typing:

Install the Gboard app from the Play Store if you don’t already have it.
Open any app where you can enter text like Messages, Notes, etc.

Tap the microphone icon on the on-screen keyboard.
Speak your message and it will be transcribed.

You can access settings for Google voice typing by tapping Gboard’s three dot menu icon > Voice typing settings. Here you can customize options like speech output, offline speech recognition, and more.

Train The Voice Model

Training the voice model is crucial for improving the accuracy of voice-to-text on your Android device. The voice model needs to learn the characteristics of your unique voice in order to recognize what you’re saying more precisely. According to an article on LinkedIn, opening the Google Voice Typing settings and tapping “Personalize for you” then “Start training” can significantly boost performance.

Follow these steps to train the voice model on your Android device:

Open the Settings app and go to System > Languages & input > Virtual keyboard > Google Voice Typing.

Tap “Improve voice model.”
Agree to share your audio recordings to help improve speech recognition.
Follow the on-screen prompts to record audio samples of your voice saying random phrases.

Complete additional training sessions periodically to continue improving accuracy over time.

According to research from Eightify, training the model with longer audio samples and multiple recordings can enhance performance. Be patient through the process, as it may take several training sessions for the voice model to become highly customized to your unique voice.

Adjust Speech Rate

Speaking at an optimal speed can significantly improve the accuracy of voice typing on Android. Generally, speaking slowly and clearly helps voice recognition software better understand each word. However, speaking too slowly may actually reduce accuracy. The ideal speech rate is around 150-160 words per minute for English.

You can adjust the speech rate for voice typing in your Android device settings. Go to Settings > Language & input > Voice input and look for an option to adjust “Speech rate”. Move the slider left to slow down the speech rate or right to speed it up. Test different rates to find what works best for your voice and speaking style. Some users recommend a rate around 50-60% of max speed.

According to a Speaking.email article, slower speech rates tend to work better for voice typing accuracy, so start on the slower side. Make minor tweaks and do voice typing tests to hone in on your optimal speed.

Reduce Background Noise

Background noise can significantly impact the accuracy of voice typing, even causing errors in transcription according to research (source). Ambient sounds from televisions, radios, construction, traffic, and even human conversations can interfere with the microphone picking up your voice clearly. The voice recognition software may struggle to separate your speech from competing background noises.

There are a few tips to reduce background noise when voice typing on your Android device:

Move to a quiet location if possible, like a room with doors and windows closed.
Use noise-cancelling headphones to dampen ambient sounds.

Speak loudly and clearly into your phone’s microphone.
Adjust microphone settings to reduce sensitivity to extraneous noises.
Try filtering out predictable steady background sounds like fans or air conditioning units using audio editing software.

Making a few simple changes to your environment can significantly boost the accuracy of Android voice typing when background noise is an issue.

Improve Microphone Quality

One of the most impactful ways to improve voice-to-text accuracy on Android is to use a higher quality microphone. The built-in microphone on your phone or headset may not be optimized for capturing clear speech. Using an external microphone designed for voice transcription can significantly boost pickup and recognition.

Dedicated transcription mics like the Philips SpeechMike are engineered to capture the human voice with precision. The microphone has noise cancellation to reduce background sounds, and is designed to pick up voices from close range. This results in a clear audio signal that speech recognition software can translate more accurately.

Similarly, a good quality headset with a noise cancelling microphone can also improve voice pickup compared to the built-in mic on your phone. Headsets position the mic closer to your mouth so more of your voice is captured. The microphone is also tuned to focus on the human voice range.

Wired headsets and microphones ensure a clean audio connection without any wireless interference that could degrade the signal. This stable connection maximizes the clarity of your speech for voice-to-text software.

Try An Alternative App

Some 3rd party Android apps offer improved voice typing compared to the built-in Google voice typing. Two top apps to consider are Otter.ai and Speechnotes.

Otter.ai uses artificial intelligence to transcribe voice to text in real-time. It can recognize multiple speakers and is optimized for long-form dictation like meetings or lectures. Otter provides a variety of features like generating shareable transcripts and syncing audio with text.

Speechnotes is designed specifically for voice dictation and note taking. It has robust voice command support and can auto-punctuate dictated text. Speechnotes syncs with Google Drive for easy access across devices. The app is free with optional paid subscriptions for advanced features.

Both Otter.ai and Speechnotes typically offer improved accuracy over the built-in voice typing in Android. Their apps are tailored for speech-to-text use cases. While the native voice typing works well, third party alternatives like Otter and Speechnotes are worth trying for even better voice-to-text capabilities.

Use Voice Commands

One way to optimize voice typing is by using voice commands. This allows you to insert punctuation, edit text, and more just by speaking. Some key voice commands to know include:

Punctuation commands:

“Period” to insert a period.

“Comma” to insert a comma.
“Question mark” to insert a question mark.
“Exclamation point” to insert an exclamation point.

Editing commands:

“Delete that” to delete the last thing you said.
“Delete” to delete the last phrase.

“Delete last sentence” to delete the entire last sentence.
“Select text” to highlight what you just said.
“Copy text” to copy the highlighted text.

“Cut text” to cut the highlighted text.

You can see a full list of supported voice commands here. With some practice, using these voice shortcuts can speed up your typing and allow you to fully dictate texts or emails just by speaking.

Conclusion

In summary, there are multiple ways you can improve voice-to-text accuracy on your Android device. Updating to the latest Android version will ensure you have the most advanced voice recognition capabilities. Training the voice model with repeated use over time and in different environments, as well as adjusting speech rate to be natural, will ensure optimal recognition of your voice. Reducing background noise through location choice or microphone upgrades will also result in higher accuracy.

Using voice-to-text features like Google Voice Typing or alternative apps provides robust transcription services. Voice commands allow hands-free control. Ultimately better microphone hardware paired with voice model training delivers a personalized experience. Accurate voice typing leads to improved productivity as you can dictate content quickly without typing.