---
title: "Use Voice with OpenCode Mobile"
description: "Use voice dictation and hands-free conversation mode in OpenCode Mobile, including on-device recognition, playback, and known limits."
canonical: "https://getopencode.app/docs/guides/voice/"
lastUpdated: "2026-10-19"
---
Use voice for quick follow-ups while walking, reviewing another screen, or when typing a detailed prompt is inconvenient.

## Dictate one prompt

1. Make sure the composer is empty.
2. Tap the microphone.
3. Speak one instruction.
4. Review and edit the recognized draft.
5. Send it when it says what you intended.

Dictation fills the draft; it does not bypass your review or send automatically.

## Have a hands-free conversation

With the composer empty, tap the waveform button. The app cycles through:

1. **Listening** for your turn.
2. **Submitting** the recognized instruction.
3. **Waiting** for OpenCode.
4. **Speaking** the assistant response.
5. Returning to listening when resume-after-reply is enabled.

![Conversation mode listening for a spoken instruction](/img/product/voice-mode.webp)

The overlay shows the active session, current phase, and last recognized speech. Tap **Done** to stop.

Conversation mode is foreground-only. It pauses for permissions or questions and stops when connectivity is lost.

## Configure the experience

Open **Settings → Voice & responses** to control:

- **On-device voice input** — prefer local recognition and avoid cloud fallback when possible.
- **Speech locale** — choose the recognition and playback language, or follow the system default.
- **Voice** — select an available text-to-speech voice.
- **Speech rate** — adjust playback speed.
- **Auto-play assistant replies** — read the latest response when it finishes.
- **Resume listening after reply** — continue the conversation loop.
- **Response scope** — brief, balanced, or detailed answers.
- **Simple next actions** — ask the assistant to end with a short recommendation when there is a clear next move.
- **Working sound** — play a soft chime or glass tone while work is running.

Response scope, next actions, and working sound are preferences; they shape the generated system prompt or local audio behavior, not the app layout.

## Check permissions and capabilities

Use the **Voice check** in Settings to review:

- microphone and speech permission;
- speech recognition availability;
- on-device recognition support;
- a playback test.

If permission was denied, open the device settings from the check. On iOS, the app retries through network recognition when on-device recognition cannot run for the selected locale, then reports a recovery action if both fail.

## Know the boundaries

- Conversation mode is foreground-only; continuous background microphone capture is not supported.
- It pauses for permissions and questions.
- It stops when connectivity is lost.
- Recognition quality depends on the device, language support, and background noise.
- Always review high-impact instructions on screen before allowing changes.
- Background completion notifications may be available, but background speech is not.

Next: [Configure providers and models](/docs/guides/providers-and-models/), [start a task](/docs/guides/tasks/), or review [permissions and changes](/docs/guides/approvals-and-changes/).