To help with any issues you're encountering with our speech recognition, start by ensuring that you have a strong internet connection when using our apps as well as studying at babbel.com.
Desktop
Start by making sure you are using a browser and platform we support: system requirements.
When you start a lesson that has speech recognition, you will be asked whether you want to learn with or without it. If your browser asks for your permission, make sure to allow it.
This should in most cases be enough. If it isn't, please make sure that microphone access is enabled for your chosen browser:
Chrome
Safari
Firefox
Edge
Next, check the microphone setup on your desktop. Is the correct microphone selected in settings? Is it on and working as expected?
Finally, please double-check that any ad-blockers, anti-virus tools, and VPNs are disabled.
iOS
When you start a lesson that has speech recognition, you will be asked whether you want to learn with or without it. If the Babbel app asks for your permission to use the microphone and permission to use Speech Recognition, make sure to allow it.
Next step is to log out and uninstall and reinstall the app. It's important to have the latest version of the Babbel app in order to work properly!
If this doesn't do the trick, check if your device is in need of a system update under your iOS Settings, and double-check that you have Siri enabled on your phone. To do so:
- Go to your device's Settings
- Tap Siri & Search
- Enable "Press Home for Siri"
More about activating Siri here
As an extra step of precaution, adjust your microphone sensitivity in the Babbel app:
- Tap on Profile
, then the Settings wheel 
- Tap on Settings
- Tap Microphone
- Adjust the level of sensitivity so that it falls within the green range
Finally, make sure that the microphone at the bottom of your device is free of dust or debris.
Android
When you start a lesson that has speech recognition, you will be asked whether you want to learn with or without it. If the Babbel app asks for your permission to use the microphone, make sure to allow it.
Next step is log out and uninstall and reinstall the app. It's important to have the latest version of the Babbel app in order to work properly!
If this doesn't do the trick, check if your device is in need of a system update under your Android Settings, and please also enable the Google app. To do so:
- Go to your Android Settings
- Tap Apps
- Tap Google App
- Select Enable
As an extra step of precaution, adjust your microphone sensitivity in the Babbel app:
- Tap on Profile , then the Settings wheel
- Tap on Settings
- Tap Microphone
- Adjust the level of sensitivity so that it falls within the green range
Should these tips not help with the issues you are experiencing, our Customer Service team is happy to help. Make sure to carefully describe what steps you have taken and please include a screenshot or video of the issue.