Find out how to remove the audio wave or microphone dictation button from the text field in the iOS 27 Messages app so you don’t accidentally start a voice message recording or pause the music with a stray tap.
In December 2025, Justin Bieber shared a photo of his iPhone Messages app, highlighting the dictation microphone icon, with the caption:
“If I hit this dictation button after sending a text and it beeps and stops my music one more time, I’m gonna find everyone at Apple and put them in a rear naked choke hold. Even if I turn off Dictation, I somehow hit the voice note thing. The send button should not have multiple functions in the same spot”
The post also went viral on X (Twitter), and finally, with the new iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 update, Apple listened and has addressed the issue for good.
You now have the choice to show either the audio recording wave icon or the dictation microphone button in the message field, or remove both altogether.
And even if you choose to remove them, you can still send audio messages and use dictation, as mentioned later below.
Customize what shows up in your message typing box on iPhone or iPad
1) Update your iPhone or iPad to iOS 27 or iPadOS 27 (currently both are in beta).
2) Open the Settings app, tap Apps at the bottom, and select Messages from the list of applications.
3) Tap the new Show in Text Field option, and select one of the following:
- None: Select this to keep the text field clean with no icons.
- Record Audio: Select this to show the audio waveform icon. Touching and holding this icon lets you start recording an audio message.
- Start Dictation: Select this to show the built-in dictation button so you can speak what you want your message to say, and your iPhone or iPad will transcribe it into words. Hitting it accidentally also pauses the ongoing music playback, albeit very briefly (this is what Justin was talking about in his post).
How to send an audio message and use dictation after selecting ‘None’
Even if you choose not to show the audio or dictation buttons in the text field, you can still send audio messages by tapping the plus icon (+) and selecting Audio.
And to dictate your message, just tap the big microphone button at the bottom of the iOS keyboard. If you don’t see it, head to Settings > General > Keyboard and Enable Dictation.
Also, new in iOS 27: