The Cloud Transcription
Because the Apple Watch has an incredibly small screen, typing full sentences on the miniature keyboard is difficult. To solve this, Apple pushes users toward “Dictation,” allowing you to speak your text messages aloud while the watch translates your voice into text. However, this translation does not happen exclusively on the device. By default, your audio recordings are often uploaded directly to Apple’s cloud servers for processing. If you are discussing highly confidential business information or simply refuse to transmit raw audio recordings of your voice over the internet for text translation, you must disable the Dictation engine.
How to Turn Off Siri Dictation Globally
You can permanently lock out the voice-to-text translation API via the General settings.
- Open the Settings app directly on your Apple Watch (the grey gear icon).
- Scroll down the main list and tap on General.
- Scroll down and tap on Dictation.
- Locate the master toggle switch labeled Dictation at the top of the screen.
- Toggle this switch to the Off position.
- A warning pop-up will appear explaining that this will remove your dictation data from Apple’s servers. Tap Turn Off Dictation to confirm.
Text Only Input
The change is instantaneous. The Apple Watch will completely sever its connection to the cloud-based audio processing servers. The microphone icon will instantly vanish from the Messages app and all other text input screens. You will now be forced to use the on-screen keyboard, scribble, or pre-written quick replies, ensuring that your private conversations are never recorded, transcribed, or uploaded to an external server.