macOS

Installation

Install the stable macOS 1.8 release.

On this page

System Requirements

macOS 14.0 (Sonoma) or later
Apple Silicon recommended, Intel supported
8 GB RAM minimum, 16 GB+ recommended
Apple Translate features require macOS 15+
Apple Intelligence and SpeechAnalyzer require macOS 26+

Download

Download the latest stable DMG from typewhisper-mac releases or install via Homebrew below.

Release candidates and daily builds stay on preview channels and do not flow through Homebrew. For most users, the latest stable release is the right choice.

Homebrew

bash

brew install --cask typewhisper/tap/typewhisper

TypeWhisper appears as an icon in the menu bar. Open Settings to download your first model, configure your hotkey, and grant Microphone plus Accessibility access. Once that is done, you can complete your first dictation immediately.

TypeWhisper is available in English, German, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese. Change the app language under Settings > General > App Language, then confirm the restart.

Pair an iPhone or iPad

From TypeWhisper 1.8, a paired iPhone or iPad running TypeWhisper for iOS 1.2 transcribes with this Mac's models over the local network. If you allow it, it also uses the Mac's language models and workflows. Both are part of Premium and off by default.

Mac App Store, pairing with a code, dictating on iPhone, and a Mac workflow. 67 seconds, with captions.

On the Mac, open Settings > Premium > iPhone and iPad, turn on Allow Paired Devices on the Local Network, and click Pair Device…
On the iPhone or iPad, open TypeWhisper, go to Settings > Mac, and choose your Mac under Macs on This Network.
Both devices show the same six-digit code. Tap The Codes Match on the iPhone and click Approve on the Mac.
Tap Use for Speech Recognition. The iPhone then transcribes with the model you choose under Model on the Mac.

For language models and workflows, also turn on Allow Writing with This Mac. Each workflow then appears as a format at the end of the iPhone's format list.

Important

The connection is encrypted, and the Mac accepts only paired devices. If a cloud model is selected on the Mac, the Mac still sends audio or text to that provider. If the Mac stays invisible on the iPhone, allow TypeWhisper in System Settings under Privacy & Security > Local Network.

Use your Mac from the iPhone

For organizations

Administrators roll out TypeWhisper with an MDM such as Iru or Jamf Pro and, from version 1.8, control it through configuration profiles. Editions, updates, permissions, and network hosts are described on the Deployment page.

Roll out TypeWhisper in your organization

Upgrade from an earlier version

macOS 1.8

TypeWhisper 1.8 adds speaker detection with Premium, transcription for paired iPhones and iPads with the models of your Mac, managed settings for organizations, Recorder automation, a local API that requires its token by default, and an edition in the Mac App Store.

What's new in 1.8

Speaker detection with Premium: TypeWhisper shows who spoke when in a recording, lets you name the speakers, and can learn their voices so it recognizes them in later recordings.
Paired iPhones and iPads transcribe and write with the models and workflows of your Mac over the local network. This needs TypeWhisper for iOS 1.2.
Managed settings for organizations: configuration profiles from Iru, Jamf Pro, or another MDM set the license and control engines, providers, cloud processing, downloads, and updates.
Recorder automation: Webhook Notifications and Script Runner can receive each saved Recorder transcript, each with its own option that is off by default, and the local API lists completed recordings, also after a restart.
The local API requires the API token by default and rejects requests that websites send through the browser. A server that ran without a token before the update keeps doing so until you turn on Require API Token.
TypeWhisper is also available in the Mac App Store, with its plugins built in. In both editions, Settings > Discover plugins lists the available plugins, and every installed plugin has its own page in the Settings sidebar.

Before upgrading

When upgrading from 1.7, export your settings under Settings > Advanced > Backup & Restore before replacing the app. After the first launch, confirm Microphone and Accessibility permissions and run a short test dictation before returning to your normal workflow. If scripts or tools use the local API, make sure they send the API token. Plugin releases built for 1.8 require TypeWhisper 1.8.0 or later.

Important

iCloud sync since 1.7

Automatic iCloud Sync is available since 1.7. Premium sync offers two modes: Automatic iCloud Sync through TypeWhisper's private iCloud container, or Cloud Folder with iCloud Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Syncthing, or a custom folder. Both modes sync your dictionary and snippets. Sync History & Inbox is a separate switch that you turn on for each Mac under Settings > History & Sync. Audio is synced for new entries only, and only when you enable it.

Build from Source

shell

git clone https://github.com/TypeWhisper/typewhisper-mac.git
cd typewhisper-mac
# Requires Xcode 16+
open TypeWhisper.xcodeproj

Uninstall

If you want to remove TypeWhisper completely on macOS and reinstall from a clean slate, deleting the app alone is often not enough. Official release builds also store local state, widget data, and secrets in ~/Library and Keychain.

shell

# Optional if installed via Homebrew
brew uninstall --cask typewhisper

After that, quit TypeWhisper and remove the following paths:

shell

rm -rf /Applications/TypeWhisper.app
rm -rf "$HOME/Library/Application Support/TypeWhisper"
rm -f "$HOME/Library/Preferences/com.typewhisper.mac.plist"
rm -rf "$HOME/Library/Group Containers/2D8ALY3LCL.com.typewhisper.mac"
rm -f /usr/local/bin/typewhisper
rm -rf "$HOME/Documents/TypeWhisper Recordings"

The CLI path only matters if you installed the tool from Settings > Advanced > Command Line Tool.
The Documents folder is optional and only affects exported recordings or files you also want to remove.
Also open macOS Keychain Access, search for com.typewhisper.mac.apikey, and remove matching entries, including license items under com.typewhisper.mac.apikey.license.
If ~/Library is hidden in Finder, use Finder > Go > Go to Folder and paste the path you need.
Restart your Mac after cleanup, then install the latest version again.