Skip to content
DocumentationDocs
Docs navigation: iOSWatch & Shortcuts

Capture without opening the app first

Apple Watch, Shortcuts, widgets, and Action Button

TypeWhisper can start from the Apple Watch, Control Center, a Shortcut, a widget, or the Action Button. Background results are collected in Capture Inbox for later review.

iOS / iPadOS 18+watchOS 11+Version 1.2 stableOpen the App Store

On this page

Record from Apple Watch

  1. Open TypeWhisper on the Watch

    Choose the available profile and confirm that the Watch has enough free storage for a new recording.

  2. Start and stop on your wrist

    The timer and waveform show the active capture. Stop when the thought is complete.

  3. Transfer to iPhone

    The Watch sends the recording to TypeWhisper on iPhone for the selected processing route.

  4. Review in Inbox

    Open the notification or Capture Inbox to check the transcript, retry a failed route, or mark it complete.

Available Shortcuts actions

  • Quick Dictation starts or stops a capture and saves the result to Inbox.
  • Start Recording, Stop Recording, and Pause or Resume Recording control the active capture.
  • Transcribe Audio File sends a selected file through TypeWhisper.
  • Get Last Transcription returns the latest text to the next Shortcut action.
  • Copy Last Transcription places the latest result on the clipboard.

Note

Action Button

Create a Shortcut that runs Quick Dictation, then assign that Shortcut to the Action Button in iOS Settings. The same action can be placed in supported widgets.

See the Watch flow

  • Private notifications can tell you when a Watch or Quick Dictation finishes processing.
  • Recent Watch recordings remain visible on the Watch while the iPhone History holds the full result.
  • If a transfer is delayed, keep the devices connected and open TypeWhisper on the iPhone.
TypeWhisper recording in progress on Apple Watch

Start from Control Center or the Action Button

The Start Recording control starts a new TypeWhisper recording, also when TypeWhisper is not open. TypeWhisper lists the same steps under Settings > Control Center & Action Button.

  1. Add the control to Control Center

    Open Control Center and tap the add button. Tap Add a Control, search for TypeWhisper, then choose Start Recording.

  2. Assign it to the Action Button

    In iOS Settings, open Action Button and swipe to Controls. Choose Start Recording from TypeWhisper. This works on supported iPhone models.

Stay close to TypeWhisper

Follow for release notes, workflow tips, and product updates while the app downloads.