Removing the iOS Dictation Button
I consider it dickish behavior by Apple that they force you to enable dictation first in order to remove the unwanted dictation button, especially since enabling dictation seems like it might send your private information — such as contacts and location! — to Apple. So much for “Privacy is a fundamental human right.”
Fortunately, a kind person gave me a tip on how to disable dictation without first enabling it: use Screen Time! Enabling Content & Privacy Restrictions in Screen Time and disabling Siri & Dictation will also make the dictation button disappear from the Safari address bar.
Of course, then you won’t be able to use Siri at all, if you care about that.
Previously:
