Supported devices and system requirements

Last updated: April 30, 2026

Available on: Mac, Windows, iOS, Android

Wispr Flow runs on Mac, Windows, iPhone, and Android. Use this page to confirm your device meets the requirements and to see which permissions Flow needs on each platform.

System requirements by platform

Mac

Operating system: macOS 12 (Monterey) or later, including macOS 26 (Tahoe).

Hardware:

  • Processor: Apple Silicon or Intel-based Mac

  • Memory: 8 GB or more recommended

  • Storage: Approximately 500 MB available

  • Microphone: Built-in, a supported external microphone, or a compatible Bluetooth Low Energy mic ring (where available)

Important: Download the version that matches your Mac's processor. If you run the Intel version on an Apple Silicon Mac, Flow will close and prompt you to download the Apple Silicon version from wisprflow.ai.

Note: When using your Mac with the lid closed (clamshell mode), you must use an external microphone — the built-in mic is unavailable.

Required permissions:

  • Microphone access

  • Accessibility access — allows Flow to type text for you

  • Screen capture access (optional, requested when needed) — allows Flow to take screenshots so it can answer questions about what's on your screen

Note: Flow asks for these permissions during setup. If you revoke one later, Flow flags the missing permission and asks you to re-enable it before continuing.

Enterprise deployment: PKG installer available for macOS MDM tools (Jamf, Kandji, Intune).

Windows

Operating system: Windows 10 or Windows 11.

Hardware:

  • Processor: x64 (64-bit). ARM-based Windows devices (Windows on ARM, Snapdragon) are not officially supported and may not work correctly.

  • Memory: 8 GB or more recommended

  • Storage: Approximately 200 MB available

  • Microphone: Working built-in or external microphone

Note: An audio output device is optional. Flow works without a default audio output configured.

Required permissions:

  • Microphone access — Windows manages this at the OS level. If Flow can't detect your microphone, enable access in Windows Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone.

Enterprise deployment: MSI installer available for Windows MDM tools (Intune, SCCM).

iOS

Supported devices: iPhone only.

Operating system: iOS 18.3 or later.

Hardware:

  • Microphone: Built-in microphone

  • Memory: 4 GB or more recommended

  • Storage: Approximately 500 MB available

Required permissions:

  • Microphone access

  • Full Access for the Flow keyboard — enable in Settings → Keyboards → Flow → Allow Full Access

Optional permissions:

  • App Tracking Transparency — used for analytics

Features that require iOS 18.3 or later:

  • Lock Screen widget: A circular Wispr logo widget that opens a new note with dictation when tapped.

  • Control Center buttons: A toggle to start or stop Flow recording, and a shortcut that opens note creation directly. Add either or both.

  • Siri Shortcuts: Voice commands including "take Flow note," "quick dictate with Flow," "save note with Flow," "turn on/off Flow," "create Flow note," and "Save Flow note" (dictates and saves hands-free without opening the app).

  • Spotlight Search: Your notes are indexed so you can find them from the iOS search screen and tap a result to open and edit it.

Note: The iOS app is portrait-only and displays in Light Mode regardless of your system Dark Mode setting. Some UI elements (such as tab bar labels) use a fixed text size and don't scale with Dynamic Type.

Note: The Flow keyboard's bottom row has no period or punctuation key — the space bar fills the full width. On small-screen iPhones (iPhone SE 2nd and 3rd generation, 4.7"), a globe (🌐) button appears so you can switch to other installed keyboards.

Android

Supported devices: Smartphones. Tablets and foldables may work but aren't officially optimized.

Operating system: Android 13 – Android 16 (API 36).

Hardware:

  • Microphone: Built-in microphone

  • Memory: 6 GB or more recommended

  • Storage: Approximately 500 MB available

  • Accelerometer: Required for shake gesture support. Devices without an accelerometer can't install Flow from the Google Play Store.

Required permissions:

  • Microphone access

  • Accessibility service — allows Flow to insert dictated text into apps

  • Display over other apps

  • Notification access — required on Android 13+ so Flow can show status notifications and alerts

  • Battery optimization disabled (recommended)

Tip: You can skip disabling battery optimization during setup, but we strongly recommend it for full functionality. Accessibility service and "display over other apps" can't be skipped.

Note: Some Android manufacturers apply extra background restrictions. See Setup Wispr Flow on Android for device-specific instructions.

Accessories

  • Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mic ring: A wearable ring that controls dictation hands-free — press to start, release to stop. Pairs through Internal Settings and reconnects automatically when you open Flow. Currently an early-access feature on Mac and Windows; Bluetooth must be enabled to pair and use the ring.

Common issues

Wispr Flow didn't appear under Microphone in iPhone Settings

This was caused by the app not prompting for microphone permission at the right time, fixed in the latest version. Flow now requests microphone access as soon as you start dictating, which causes it to appear in iOS Microphone settings.

  1. Update Wispr Flow to the latest version from the App Store.

  2. Tap Start Flow to trigger the microphone permission prompt.

  3. Tap Allow when iOS asks for microphone access. If you previously denied it, tap Open Settings in the alert and enable Microphone for Wispr Flow.

Flow stopped inserting text after the phone had been idle on Android

This was caused by aggressive battery saving on some Android devices (particularly OnePlus, Xiaomi, Huawei, Oppo, Vivo, and Samsung) silently disabling Flow's accessibility service. Fixed in the latest version: Flow now detects this and sends a "Wispr Flow needs attention" notification — tap it to jump straight to Accessibility Settings and re-enable the service.

  1. Update Wispr Flow to the latest version.

  2. Exclude Flow from battery optimization. See Setup Wispr Flow on Android for device-specific instructions.

App was slow to open or froze during startup on iPhone

Between versions 1.46 and 1.48, some iPhone users saw slower launch times and the app appearing unresponsive shortly after opening. This was caused by a performance issue, fixed in the latest version.

  1. Update Wispr Flow to the latest version from the App Store.

  2. Relaunch the app to confirm the fix.

Excessive battery drain on iPhone when using the Flow keyboard

Starting in version 1.47, some iPhone users — especially on A14 and A15 chips — saw higher than expected battery drain while the Flow keyboard was installed. This was caused by the keyboard being woken up repeatedly in the background, fixed in the latest version: the keyboard now stays inactive until you open it.

  1. Update Wispr Flow to the latest version from the App Store.

Microphone list was blank or mic privacy was incorrectly reported as disabled on Windows

Two Windows-only issues were introduced in version 1.4.894 and fixed in a later update:

  • Blank microphone list: Existing Windows users upgrading to 1.4.894 saw an empty microphone selection dialog in settings.

  • False "mic privacy disabled" warning: Some users were told their microphone privacy was off and dictation was blocked, even though system settings allowed mic access. This most commonly affected users with Dell Optimizer, MDM/GPO management, or third-party privacy software.

  1. Update Wispr Flow to the latest version.

  2. Restart Flow after updating.

FAQs

Why won't Flow install on my device?

Confirm your device meets the requirements above. On Mac, make sure you're downloading the version that matches your processor (Apple Silicon or Intel).

What do I do if my operating system version isn't supported?

Flow requires macOS 12+, Windows 10+, iOS 18.3+, or Android 13+. Update your OS to use Flow.

Flow opens, but I can't enable microphone access. What should I check?

Check your system's privacy settings to confirm apps can request microphone permissions. On managed devices, an administrator may need to allow mic access.

Why isn't my device microphone detected?

Make sure your mic works in another app first. If it does, restart Flow and confirm the correct input device is selected in Flow's settings.

Why aren't the Lock Screen widget, Siri Shortcuts, or Spotlight Search available on my iPhone?

These features require iOS 18.3 or later. Go to Settings → General → Software Update to check for an update. On managed devices, IT policy may also restrict some of these features.

Why don't I see the option to pair a BLE mic ring in my settings?

The BLE mic ring is an early-access feature. Contact support to find out if it's available for your account.

Limitations and notes

  • iPad, Linux, Chromebooks, and virtual machines or remote desktop environments are not supported.

  • Virtual microphones (e.g., from virtual audio cable software) are filtered from Flow's mic selection and may not work as input devices.

  • On iOS, note syncing, AI features, Spotlight indexing, and Siri shortcuts are disabled when Privacy Mode, HIPAA BAA, or Enterprise Zero Data Retention (ZDR) is active.

  • Flow's floating bubble is automatically hidden in banking and financial apps. Text dictation is also unavailable in password fields and phone number inputs.

Still need help?

Reach out to support and include your platform, OS version, and device model if:

  • Your device meets the requirements but Flow won't install or launch

  • Flow can't detect your microphone after you've checked permissions

  • You're not sure which version to download for your device

  • You'd like to request early access to the BLE mic ring