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First Setup

When you launch TalkWriter for the first time, you need to grant two macOS permissions and sign in. This takes about one minute.

Why These Permissions Matter​

TalkWriter needs system-level access for two reasons, and macOS requires you to explicitly grant each one:

PermissionWhy It Is NeededWhat Happens Without It
MicrophoneTalkWriter captures your voice and streams it to the cloud for transcriptionDictation will not work at all -- TalkWriter cannot hear you
AccessibilityTalkWriter simulates a keyboard paste to insert text at your cursor in any appDictation works but text has nowhere to go -- it cannot paste into your apps
Both permissions are required

TalkWriter cannot function without these permissions. If you accidentally deny either one, see the troubleshooting section below.

Step-by-Step Setup​

Step 1: Launch TalkWriter​

Open TalkWriter from your Applications folder. The setup wizard appears on first launch.

Step 2: Grant Microphone Access​

  1. TalkWriter displays a prompt: "TalkWriter would like to access the microphone."
  2. Click OK to allow microphone access.
  3. A green checkmark appears in the setup wizard.
note

If you click "Don't Allow" by mistake, see the troubleshooting section below to fix it.

Step 3: Grant Accessibility Access​

  1. TalkWriter shows a prompt asking for Accessibility permission.
  2. Click Open System Settings. This takes you to Privacy & Security > Accessibility.
  3. Find TalkWriter in the list.
  4. Toggle the switch on (to the right).
  5. Enter your Mac password if prompted.
  6. Switch back to TalkWriter. The wizard shows a green checkmark.
tip

If TalkWriter is not listed under Accessibility, click the + button, navigate to Applications, and select TalkWriter manually.

Step 4: Sign In​

  1. Choose Sign in with Google or Sign in with Email (email + password).
  2. Complete the authentication in your browser.
  3. TalkWriter confirms your sign-in and shows your account name.

Every new account automatically gets a 14-day Pro trial with no credit card required. You get full access to TalkTone, Banglish, unlimited dictation, and all Pro features from day one.

Step 5: Choose Your Dictation Mode​

TalkWriter asks you to pick a default mode:

ModeHow It WorksBest For
Push-to-Talk (PTT)Hold Fn to dictate, release to stopShort messages, emails, quick replies
LiveToggle Fn on/off for continuous dictationLong-form writing, notes, essays

You can change this anytime in Settings, or quickly by hovering over the pill overlay during dictation.

Step 6: Start Dictating​

Setup is complete. Press the Fn key and start speaking. Your text appears wherever your cursor is.

Verifying Your Setup​

After setup, confirm everything works with this 30-second test:

  1. Open TextEdit (built into macOS) and create a new document.
  2. Click to place your cursor in the document.
  3. Hold Fn and say: "Testing TalkWriter, this is my first dictation."
  4. Release Fn.
  5. Within 1-2 seconds, polished text should appear in the document.
CheckExpected Result
Pill overlay appearedA small dark floating pill showed on screen when you held Fn
Text was pastedWords appeared at your cursor in TextEdit
Punctuation was addedThe output has proper capitalization and periods

Practical Example​

Scenario: You just installed TalkWriter and want to send a quick Slack message.

  1. Complete the setup steps above (grant permissions, sign in).
  2. Open Slack and click into the message input of any channel.
  3. Hold Fn and say: "Hey everyone, just set up TalkWriter and it's working great. Let me know if anyone wants a demo."
  4. Release Fn. The polished text appears in the Slack message box.
  5. Press Enter to send.

You just sent your first voice-dictated Slack message.

Pro Tip

After setup, try dictating into 2-3 different apps (a browser, a text editor, a messaging app) to confirm TalkWriter works globally. If any app has issues, check the Text Not Pasting guide.

Troubleshooting Permissions​

I denied microphone access by mistake​

  1. Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone.
  2. Find TalkWriter in the list.
  3. Toggle the switch on.
  4. Restart TalkWriter.

I denied accessibility access by mistake​

  1. Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility.
  2. Find TalkWriter in the list.
  3. Toggle the switch on.
  4. Restart TalkWriter.

TalkWriter is not listed in the permissions panel​

  1. Quit TalkWriter completely.
  2. Relaunch TalkWriter from Applications.
  3. The permission prompt should appear again.

Frequently Asked Questions​

Why does TalkWriter need Accessibility permission? macOS requires Accessibility permission for any app that simulates keyboard input. TalkWriter uses this to paste transcribed text into your active application -- it is how text magically appears at your cursor in every app.

Is my microphone always on? No. TalkWriter only accesses your microphone while you are actively dictating (Fn key held in PTT mode, or toggled on in Live mode). At all other times, the microphone is idle.

Can I complete setup without signing in? No. A free account is required to use TalkWriter, even on the free plan. This enables cross-device sync and the 14-day Pro trial.

Was this helpful? Let us know at support@talkwriter.ai

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