> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://hyperwhisper.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# macOS Permissions
> The macOS permissions that HyperWhisper requires — when macOS prompts for each one, what stops without it, and how to grant it in System Settings.
HyperWhisper requires a small number of macOS permissions. macOS asks for each permission at the time the app first needs it. You do not have to grant all of them at the start.
This page is for macOS. For Windows, read [Windows Permissions](/docs/windows-permissions). For Linux, read [Install HyperWhisper on Linux](/docs/linux-installation), which covers the `hyperwhisper-input` group for global shortcuts and automatic paste, and the optional GNOME and KDE companions for active-application matching.
## Permissions at a glance
| Permission | When prompted | Required for | Where to grant |
| - | - | - | - |
| Microphone | First recording | Recording any audio | System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone |
| Accessibility | First auto-paste / push-to-talk | Auto-paste, bare-modifier push-to-talk | System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility |
| Screen Recording | First use of Screen Text mode | Screen Text mode only | System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen Recording |
| Automation (Apple Events) | First Notes Quick Capture | Sending text to Notes | System Settings → Privacy & Security → Automation |
| Speech Recognition | First use of Apple Speech Analyzer | Apple Speech Analyzer local transcription engine | System Settings → Privacy & Security → Speech Recognition |
| Input Monitoring | — | Not required | — |
## Microphone
All transcription requires the Microphone permission. At your first recording, macOS shows the standard system dialog:
> "HyperWhisper" would like to access the microphone.
Click **OK**. If you click **Don't Allow** by accident, open **System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone**. Then turn on HyperWhisper.
**Without it:** Recording fails immediately. The app shows an error banner that tells you how to grant access.
## Accessibility
Two features require the Accessibility permission:
* **Auto-paste** — HyperWhisper sends the paste keystroke to the frontmost app for you.
* **Bare-modifier push-to-talk** — HyperWhisper detects hold-to-record on one modifier key (Fn, Option, or Control) in all apps. This includes the Fn+Control and Fn+Option combination modes. Fn is the default. Standard hotkey combinations such as `⌥Space` work without the Accessibility permission.
macOS does not show an automatic prompt for Accessibility, unlike the Microphone permission. You must grant it manually:
Choose **System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility**.
Click the lock icon and authenticate. Then turn on **HyperWhisper** in the list.
The new permission takes effect while the app runs. You do not need to start the app again. Auto-paste examines the permission at each use, so it works at your next transcription. Bare-modifier push-to-talk starts as soon as the app finds the grant.
HyperWhisper watches for the Accessibility grant for 10 minutes after it finds the permission missing. If you take more than 10 minutes to grant it, select the push-to-talk mode again in **Settings → Keyboard Shortcuts**, or start the app again.
If the Accessibility permission is missing, HyperWhisper shows a banner on the home screen. The banner has a link to the correct pane in System Settings.
**Without it:** Auto-paste does nothing, and the transcript stays on the clipboard. Bare-modifier push-to-talk does not start. Standard hotkey combinations still work.
## Screen Recording
**Optional** — only **Screen Text mode** requires this permission. This mode reads the text on the screen into your transcript context. If you do not use this mode, you do not need this permission.
If you turn on Screen Text mode, macOS prompts you at the first screen capture. Grant the permission at **System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen Recording**. Then start HyperWhisper again.
**Without it:** Screen Text mode fails and shows no error. Other modes continue to work.
## Automation (Apple Events)
HyperWhisper uses this permission to send your transcribed text to apps such as **Notes** (Quick Capture). macOS prompts you when HyperWhisper first controls one of these apps. Grant the permission at **System Settings → Privacy & Security → Automation**.
**Without it:** Quick Capture to Notes does not work. Other transcription features continue to work.
HyperWhisper mutes the system audio during recording (see [Media Control](/docs/media-control)). It uses the direct system audio APIs, not Apple Events automation. This function does not require the Automation permission.
## Speech Recognition
The **Apple Speech Analyzer** local transcription engine uses this permission (macOS 26+). macOS prompts you at your first transcription with that model. Grant the permission at **System Settings → Privacy & Security → Speech Recognition**.
**Without it:** Transcriptions with Apple Speech Analyzer fail. Other local models and cloud models continue to work.
## Input Monitoring
**Not required.** HyperWhisper uses the standard global hotkey API of macOS. It also uses the Accessibility API for advanced push-to-talk. These two APIs do not need Input Monitoring. If macOS or another tool prompts you to grant Input Monitoring to HyperWhisper, you can refuse.
## Reset the permissions
If the permissions stop working, or if you granted them to an old build, run these commands:
```bash theme={null}
tccutil reset Microphone com.hyperwhisper.hyperwhisper
tccutil reset Accessibility com.hyperwhisper.hyperwhisper
tccutil reset ScreenCapture com.hyperwhisper.hyperwhisper
tccutil reset AppleEvents com.hyperwhisper.hyperwhisper
tccutil reset SpeechRecognition com.hyperwhisper.hyperwhisper
```
Then start HyperWhisper again. Grant each permission again when macOS prompts you.
If you run a development version, replace `com.hyperwhisper.hyperwhisper` with the bundle ID of your build.
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