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Troubleshooting on mobile

Most TalkWriter issues come down to a missing permission, a background restriction, or being signed out. Find your problem below and follow the fix. Each one takes a minute or two.

The TalkWriter keyboard isn't in the list​

The keyboard is added in your phone's settings, separately from the app.

  • iOS: Open the TalkWriter app at least once, then go to Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards → Add New Keyboard… and tap TalkWriter. If it still doesn't appear, restart your iPhone and try again. Full steps: Set up the keyboard on iPhone.
  • Android: Go to Settings → System → Languages & input → On‑screen keyboard → Manage keyboards and toggle TalkWriter Keyboard on. Full steps: Set up TalkWriter on Android.

If the keyboard never shows even after a restart, reinstall TalkWriter from the App Store or Google Play.

"Allow Full Access" is off (iOS)​

On iPhone and iPad the keyboard needs Full Access to reach your account and the cloud for dictation and TalkTone. Without it, the mic and Rewrite won't work.

Turn it on: Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards → TalkWriter, then enable Allow Full Access and tap Allow.

Why it's needed

Full Access lets the keyboard use the network. TalkWriter never logs what you type — it only sends audio you dictate and text you select to rewrite. See Set up the keyboard on iPhone.

The mic does nothing / no microphone permission​

  • iOS: Dictation audio is captured by the main app, so open Settings → TalkWriter → Microphone and make sure it's allowed. You can also dictate from the in‑app Dictation tab (the big mic) to confirm the microphone works.
  • Android: The first time you tap the mic, Android asks for permission. If you declined it, go to Settings → Apps → TalkWriter → Permissions → Microphone and set it to Allow, then reopen the keyboard.

If the waveform shows red, that's an error state — check your internet connection and microphone permission, then try again.

Dictation stops in the background (Android)​

If dictation or recording dies when you lock the screen or switch apps, that's Android's battery optimization killing the background process.

  1. Go to Settings → Apps → TalkWriter → Battery and choose Unrestricted.
  2. Apply the note for your phone's brand (Samsung sleeping‑apps, Xiaomi autostart, Oppo/Realme/OnePlus background activity, Huawei manage manually).

Full per‑manufacturer steps are in Set up TalkWriter on Android.

The wrong language was transcribed​

TalkWriter transcribes the spoken language set in your settings, and can write the result in a different writing language.

  • Set your spoken/input language and writing language in Settings, or tap the language chip in the keyboard's top bar before you dictate.
  • Real‑time translation only happens when your writing language differs from your spoken language. If you want plain dictation, keep them the same.
  • For romanized Bangla, use Banglish — type or speak it and TalkWriter writes proper Bangla script.

Not signed in / my data is missing​

Your meetings, dictionary, snippets, and dictation history sync through your account. Settings stay device‑local and don't sync.

  1. Open the TalkWriter app and confirm you're signed in (Apple, Google, or email).
  2. Use the same account you use on your other devices — that's what links your data across Mac, iPhone, and Android.
  3. Make sure you're online so sync can finish, then reopen the relevant tab.

A meeting recording stopped​

  • iOS: Recording continues in the background and shows a Live Activity on the lock screen / Dynamic Island. If it stopped, make sure you didn't force‑quit the app and that Microphone access is allowed.
  • Android: Recording runs as a foreground service with a live‑preview notification. If it stopped, exempt TalkWriter from battery optimization (see above).

Once a meeting ends, TalkWriter emails a recap to your account email — check there if a recording wrapped up unexpectedly.

I can't sign in​

  • Confirm you're online — sign‑in needs a connection.
  • Try the same method you originally used (Apple, Google, or email).
  • Close and reopen the app, or restart your phone, then try once more.
  • If you use email, double‑check the address and request a fresh link or code.

Still stuck?​

  • Re‑check the one permission for your platform: Full Access (iOS) or Microphone + enabled keyboard (Android).
  • Confirm you're signed in and online.
  • Still not working? Contact us at help.talkwriter.ai/support.
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