OpenClaw Voice Commands: Setup Voice Control

Quick Answer: OpenClaw supports voice input on macOS, iOS, and Android. Since OpenClaw connects through messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, and Discord, you can use each platform's built-in voice message or dictation features to speak commands instead of typing them. Voice is one of the accessibility features that makes OpenClaw unique among AI agents — you control it the same way you would text a friend.

This guide walks through voice setup for every platform: macOS Dictation and Voice Control, iOS keyboard dictation and Siri Shortcuts, and Android Google Voice Typing and Google Assistant routines. No additional software or plugins needed.

How Does OpenClaw Voice Support Work?

OpenClaw's voice support works through messaging app integrations. You do not need any special voice plugin — just your platform's built-in speech features.

Voice Messages

Send voice messages through WhatsApp, Telegram, or Slack. OpenClaw processes audio messages the same way it handles text. Just hold the microphone button, speak your command, and release to send.

Dictation / Speech-to-Text

Use your platform's built-in dictation (macOS Dictation, iOS microphone, Google Voice Typing) to convert speech to text in any messaging app. OpenClaw receives the transcribed text as a normal message.

Virtual Assistant Triggers

Configure Siri Shortcuts (iOS) or Google Assistant Routines (Android) to trigger OpenClaw commands with a voice phrase. Fully hands-free automation from any room in your house.

How Do You Set Up Voice Commands on macOS?

macOS Dictation

  1. 1Open System Settings > Keyboard > Dictation
  2. 2Toggle Dictation to On
  3. 3Set your preferred language and shortcut (default: press Fn key twice)
  4. 4Open your messaging app (WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack)
  5. 5Press the dictation shortcut and speak your command
  6. 6OpenClaw processes the transcribed text as a normal instruction

macOS Voice Control

  1. 1Open System Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control
  2. 2Toggle Voice Control to On
  3. 3Say 'Click [message input field]' to focus the text input
  4. 4Dictate your OpenClaw command naturally
  5. 5Say 'Press Return' to send the message
  6. 6Fully hands-free operation — no keyboard or mouse needed

Voice Messages in Messaging Apps

  1. 1Open WhatsApp, Telegram, or Slack on macOS
  2. 2Hold the microphone button to record a voice message
  3. 3Speak your command clearly
  4. 4Release to send — OpenClaw processes voice messages directly
  5. 5No dictation or transcription needed on your end

How Do You Set Up Voice Commands on iOS (iPhone & iPad)?

iOS Keyboard Dictation

  1. 1Open Settings > General > Keyboard > Enable Dictation
  2. 2Open your messaging app (WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack)
  3. 3Tap the microphone icon on the iOS keyboard
  4. 4Speak your command — it transcribes in real time
  5. 5Tap Send to deliver the instruction to OpenClaw
  6. 6Works in any text field across all messaging apps

Voice Messages

  1. 1Open WhatsApp or Telegram on your iPhone
  2. 2Hold the microphone button in the chat with OpenClaw
  3. 3Speak your command clearly and at normal pace
  4. 4Release to send the voice message
  5. 5OpenClaw processes voice messages the same as text
  6. 6Ideal for quick, on-the-go instructions

Siri Shortcuts Integration

  1. 1Open the Shortcuts app on iOS
  2. 2Create a new Shortcut that sends a message to your OpenClaw chat
  3. 3Add 'Dictate Text' or 'Ask for Input' actions
  4. 4Configure the shortcut to send via WhatsApp or Telegram
  5. 5Trigger with 'Hey Siri, [shortcut name]'
  6. 6Example: 'Hey Siri, tell OpenClaw to check my email'

How Do You Set Up Voice Commands on Android?

Google Voice Typing

  1. 1Open Settings > System > Languages & Input > On-screen keyboard
  2. 2Ensure Google Voice Typing (Gboard) is enabled
  3. 3Open your messaging app (WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack)
  4. 4Tap the microphone icon on the Gboard keyboard
  5. 5Speak your command — real-time transcription appears
  6. 6Tap Send to deliver the instruction to OpenClaw

Voice Messages

  1. 1Open WhatsApp or Telegram on your Android device
  2. 2Hold the microphone button in the OpenClaw chat
  3. 3Speak your command clearly
  4. 4Release to send the voice message
  5. 5OpenClaw processes the audio message directly
  6. 6No transcription step needed on your end

Google Assistant Routines

  1. 1Open the Google Home app or Google Assistant settings
  2. 2Create a new Routine with a custom voice trigger
  3. 3Add an action that sends a message via your messaging app
  4. 4Configure the message to go to your OpenClaw chat
  5. 5Trigger with 'Hey Google, [routine name]'
  6. 6Example: 'Hey Google, ask OpenClaw for my daily report'

What Are Some Voice Command Examples?

OpenClaw understands natural language. Speak to it the way you would text a capable assistant. Here are examples organized by category.

Business Operations

  • "Check my email and summarize anything urgent"
  • "Schedule a meeting with the marketing team for Friday afternoon"
  • "Pull this week's sales numbers from the CRM and send me a summary"
  • "Draft a follow-up email to the client we met yesterday"

Content & Communication

  • "Write a social media post about our new product launch"
  • "Research competitors' pricing and put it in a spreadsheet"
  • "Summarize the last five articles in my RSS feed"
  • "Send the weekly newsletter draft to the team for review"

Personal Productivity

  • "What's on my calendar today?"
  • "Remind me to call the supplier at 3 PM"
  • "Find flights to New York next Tuesday under $500"
  • "Order groceries from my saved list"

Technical Tasks

  • "Check the server status and alert me if anything is down"
  • "Run the daily backup script and confirm when it's done"
  • "Review the latest pull requests on the project repo"
  • "Monitor our API response times and flag anything over 500ms"

How Do You Get Better Results From Voice Commands?

Speak Naturally

OpenClaw understands natural language. You do not need to use special syntax or command formats. Speak as if you were texting a capable coworker who knows your business.

Be Specific About Outcomes

Instead of 'check my email,' try 'check my email and summarize the three most urgent messages.' Specific outcomes help OpenClaw deliver exactly what you need.

Chain Multiple Tasks

Voice commands can include multiple steps: 'Check my calendar for tomorrow, then draft a meeting agenda for the client review, and send it to the team by 5 PM.' OpenClaw handles multi-step instructions.

Review Before Sensitive Actions

For high-stakes tasks (sending emails to clients, making purchases, deploying code), OpenClaw asks for confirmation. Voice input works the same — just confirm via voice or text when prompted.

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