Collecting Logs
Symptom
You have a persistent issue with TalkWriter and support has asked you to send logs, or you want to include logs with your support request to speed up troubleshooting.
Quick Fix
Open Console.app, filter for "TalkWriter", reproduce the issue, and save the log output.
Step-by-Step: Collecting Logs with Console.app
✅ Step 1: Open Console
- Open Console (Applications → Utilities → Console)
- You will see a stream of system log messages
✅ Step 2: Filter for TalkWriter
- In the Search field at the top right, type:
TalkWriter - Press Enter
- Only messages from TalkWriter will appear
✅ Step 3: Start Streaming
- Click Start Streaming in the toolbar (if it is not already active)
- You should see a live feed of TalkWriter log messages
✅ Step 4: Reproduce the Issue
- Keep Console.app open
- Switch to TalkWriter
- Perform the action that causes the problem (dictate, paste, open settings, etc.)
- Switch back to Console.app — you should see new log entries related to the issue
✅ Step 5: Save the Logs
- Select all the relevant log entries (Cmd+A to select all, or click and drag to select specific entries)
- Go to File → Save Selection (or Edit → Copy then paste into a text file)
- Save the file as
talkwriter-logs.txt
✅ Step 6: Collect Crash Logs (If Applicable)
If TalkWriter crashed:
- Open Console.app
- In the left sidebar, click Crash Reports
- Look for entries named
TalkWriter - Click the report to view it
- Click Save to save the crash report
What to Include in a Support Ticket
When contacting support@talkwriter.ai, include:
| Item | Where to Find It |
|---|---|
| ✅ TalkWriter version | Settings → About |
| ✅ macOS version | Apple menu → About This Mac |
| ✅ Mac model | Apple menu → About This Mac (e.g., MacBook Pro M2) |
| ✅ Description of the issue | What you expected vs. what happened |
| ✅ Steps to reproduce | Numbered steps to trigger the issue |
| ✅ Console logs | Filtered log output from Console.app |
| ✅ Crash report | If the app crashed (from Crash Reports) |
| ✅ Screenshot | If there is a visible error message |
Alternative: Export Logs from TalkWriter
TalkWriter may include a built-in log export:
- Open TalkWriter Settings
- Go to About or Support
- Look for Export Logs or Send Diagnostic Report
- This bundles relevant logs and system information automatically
FAQ
Are logs safe to share? Yes. TalkWriter logs contain technical information (timestamps, error codes, process IDs). They do not contain your dictated text, audio, or passwords.
How far back do logs go? Console.app shows recent logs from the current boot session. Crash reports are kept for longer. For the best results, reproduce the issue while Console.app is open.
Can I enable more detailed logging? Contact support and they can guide you through enabling debug-level logging if needed for complex issues.