Dictation in Any App
TalkWriter works globally across macOS. Any application that accepts text input can receive dictated text from TalkWriter. You do not need to copy and paste — text appears directly at your cursor.
How It Works
- Click into any text field in any app.
- Press Fn to start dictating.
- Speak your text.
- Release Fn (or press Fn again in Live mode).
- Polished text appears exactly where your cursor was.
TalkWriter uses macOS Accessibility permissions to simulate a paste action. This is why the Accessibility permission is required during First Setup.
Confirmed Compatible Apps
TalkWriter has been tested and confirmed to work with these applications:
| Category | Apps | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Text Editors | TextEdit, Sublime Text, VS Code, Vim (insert mode) | ✅ |
| Writing Apps | Notion, Obsidian, Bear, Ulysses, iA Writer | ✅ |
| Apple Mail, Gmail (browser), Outlook | ✅ | |
| Messaging | Slack, Discord, Telegram, WhatsApp (web), iMessage | ✅ |
| Browsers | Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Arc, Brave | ✅ |
| Office | Google Docs, Google Sheets, Microsoft Word, Pages, Numbers | ✅ |
| Development | VS Code, IntelliJ IDEA, Xcode, Terminal | ✅ |
| Social Media | Twitter/X (browser), LinkedIn (browser), Reddit (browser) | ✅ |
| Notes | Apple Notes, Notion, Obsidian, Bear | ✅ |
| Project Tools | Jira (browser), Linear (browser), Asana (browser) | ✅ |
TalkWriter works with virtually any app that has a text input field. The table above shows apps that have been explicitly tested. If an app accepts keyboard input, TalkWriter should work with it.
Tips for Best Results
- Click first, then dictate. Always make sure your cursor is in the exact text field where you want text to appear before pressing Fn.
- Wait for the paste. Do not click elsewhere or switch apps while the pill shows "Processing." Wait for text to be pasted before moving on.
- Check focus. Some apps (like Electron-based tools) may have nested text fields. Make sure you have clicked into the inner text area.
- Use Scratchpad as a fallback. If an app behaves unexpectedly, dictate into TalkWriter's Scratchpad and copy the text manually.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Text does not appear | Cursor was not in a text field | Click into a text field before dictating |
| Text appears in the wrong app | App focus changed during processing | Keep the target app focused until paste completes |
| Partial text appears | Internet interruption mid-dictation | Check your internet connection and try again |
| Text appears garbled | App uses non-standard text input | Try dictating into Scratchpad and pasting manually |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does TalkWriter work in Terminal? Yes. TalkWriter can paste text into Terminal, iTerm2, and other terminal emulators.
Does TalkWriter work in password fields? TalkWriter can technically paste into password fields, but this is not recommended for security reasons.
What about full-screen apps or games? TalkWriter works in full-screen apps that have text fields. It will not work in apps that do not accept keyboard text input (like most games).
Does TalkWriter work with remote desktop or virtual machines? Results vary. If the remote desktop app forwards keyboard input, TalkWriter may work. This is not officially supported.
Was this helpful? Let us know at support@talkwriter.ai