iPhone and iPad keyboard problems

Restore the Monologue keyboard, Full Access, and microphone behavior.

The keyboard is missing

Open Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards → Add New Keyboard, add Monologue, then switch keyboards with the globe key in a text field.

Dictation does not start or return text

In Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards, tap Monologue and enable Allow Full Access.
Open the Monologue app once and confirm you are signed in.
Check microphone access in Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone.
Return to the app where you want to type, select Monologue, and try a short dictation.

Apple does not give third-party keyboards full access in some secure fields. If Monologue disappears on a password or payment field, switch back in a normal text field.

Why Start Monologue opens the app

The keyboard uses a microphone session owned by the main Monologue app. When the session is not active, tapping Start Monologue may open the app so iOS can activate the microphone. Monologue then tries to return to the app where you were typing. If it cannot return automatically, swipe back to that app.

While the session is active, iOS shows its microphone indicator and Monologue can show a Live Activity on the Lock Screen or Dynamic Island. You can control the session timeout and Live Activities under Monologue → Settings → Preferences.

If the keyboard returns to Start Monologue, activate the session again. A configured timeout, force-quitting Monologue, a call, an audio interruption, or an audio-route change can end or interrupt the session. Reopen Monologue after a force-quit before trying the keyboard again.

If recording starts but the level stays flat, open Settings → Preferences and test Built-in Microphone, especially when Bluetooth headphones are connected.

The Action Button opens Monologue instead of recording

Open Monologue’s Action Button settings and complete the setup shown there. Then review the Action Button assignment in iOS Settings and test it while the phone is unlocked.