To take a note without your hands, you need something that listens for a phrase. On Android that is Gemini with "Hey Google", or an app with its own wake word, such as Keeppad with "Hey Keep".
Way 1: "Hey Google, take a note"
Gemini on Android can create notes and lists in Google Keep and in the notes apps of some phone makers, such as Samsung Notes. Google's help page lists the apps and the phones.
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What you need the Gemini app, Google Workspace connected to it, and Google Keep on the same account.
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What you say "Hey Google, add milk to my shopping list in Google Keep".
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Where it goes into Keep, or into the phone maker's notes app.
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The catch the note is text only. Gemini keeps no recording of what you said.
Way 2: voice typing in any notes app
Gboard, Google's keyboard, types what you say in any text field. Google's guide shows the microphone at the top of the keyboard.
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What you need Gboard and a notes app you already use.
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The catch you still open the app, tap a note and tap the microphone. It saves typing, not taps.
Way 3: an app with a wake word
Keeppad keeps the microphone open in the background and listens for "Hey Keep". Then it answers "Recording" and writes down what you say until you stop talking.
1. Install Keeppad and open it.
2. On the welcome screen, tap Turn on Hey Keep, then allow the microphone and notifications.
3. Lock the phone. Say "Hey Keep", wait for "Recording", say your note.
4. Stop talking. After a short pause the note appears in the right group, with its recording.
Which one to pick
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Already on Google Keep Gemini is enough for short lists.
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Hands full, phone in a pocket a wake word app saves the most steps.
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Want the recording too Keeppad keeps the sound of each note on Android 13 and newer.
Keep Hey Keep running
Android stops background apps to save power, and some phone makers stop them harder.
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Battery saver pauses Hey Keep while it is on.
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Only while charging in Keeppad's settings keeps the microphone off on battery, for people who want it at the desk or in the car only.
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Unrestricted in Keeppad's settings, "Let Keeppad run in the background" opens the Android page where you set it.
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After a restart Android doesn't let an app open the microphone on its own. Keeppad posts a notification, and a tap turns Hey Keep back on.