Apple is giving iPhone users more control over the microphone button beside the Messages text field with iOS 27. The change can help prevent accidental voice recordings or dictation sessions, including those that briefly interrupt music playback.
However, hiding the button does not disable voice messages or dictation. Both features remain accessible elsewhere on the iPhone.
What the new Messages setting controls
The iOS 27 beta introduces a “Show in Text Field” setting with three options:
Record Audio: Displays an audio waveform button. Pressing and holding it starts recording a voice message.
Start Dictation: Places a microphone button beside the text field for converting speech into text.
None: Removes both buttons from that position, leaving a cleaner message composer.
Selecting None only removes the shortcut beside the text field. Users can still start dictation through the microphone button on the iOS keyboard.
Voice messages also remain available by tapping the plus button beside the text field and selecting Audio.
How to remove the microphone button
Users running iOS 27 can change the setting by following these steps:
Open Settings.
Select Apps.
Tap Messages.
Select Show in Text Field.
Choose Record Audio, Start Dictation or None.
The change takes effect immediately and does not require users to restart the Messages app or their iPhone.
This setting does not change Messages’ microphone permission. That can be managed separately under Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone > Messages. Disabling permission prevents the app from accessing the microphone for voice recordings and dictation.
Why Apple is making the change
The placement of the Messages microphone button has caused complaints because it occupies the same area as the send button after a message is sent. An unintended tap can therefore activate dictation or begin an audio recording.
The complaint gained wider attention after singer Justin Bieber publicly criticised the design in December 2025. Apple has not said whether that post directly influenced the change.
Which iPhones support the feature
The setting is available on every iPhone compatible with iOS 27 because it is not dependent on Apple Intelligence hardware.
Apple’s compatibility list starts with the iPhone 11 series and includes the iPhone SE (second generation and later) and subsequent models. The same setting is also available through Messages on devices running iPadOS 27.