Changes to Flow Bar Bubbles: Polish, Fetch Links, and Scratchpad

Last updated: July 4, 2026

Available on: Mac, Windows

Some buttons on the Flow bar are changing. If you've noticed the Polish wand, Fetch Links, or Scratchpad bubbles disappearing — or you're wondering whether they'll stay — this article explains what changed and what to do.

What changed

Wispr Flow is refocusing the Flow bar around its core surfaces: dictation, Notetaker, and Instruct. As part of that, three bubbles are being de-emphasized as default Flow bar items:

  • Polish (the wand icon)

  • Fetch Links

  • Scratchpad

Whether the Polish bubble stays or disappears depends on when you created your account and how often you use Polish directly from the Flow bar. Fetch Links and Scratchpad are being removed from the default Flow bar for all users.

How this affects you

I created my account on or after July 2, 2026

The Polish, Fetch Links, and Scratchpad bubbles will not appear on your Flow bar. This is the default experience for all new users going forward.

The underlying features are not removed. Polish is still accessible via the keyboard shortcut and the right-click context menu.

I created my account before July 2, 2026

You have a one-week grace period during which the Polish bubble will continue to appear on your Flow bar as usual.

  • If you click the Polish wand on the Flow bar at least 3 times during that week: you'll be recognized as a heavy Polish user and the bubble will remain on your Flow bar permanently.

  • If you don't reach 3 clicks by the end of the week: the Polish bubble will be hidden. You can still use Polish via the keyboard shortcut or right-click context menu.

Note: Only clicks on the Flow bar wand icon count toward the 3-click threshold. Using the keyboard shortcut or right-click context menu does not count.

The Fetch Links and Scratchpad bubbles are also being removed from the default Flow bar for existing users as part of this update.

Polish is still available

Removing the bubble from the Flow bar doesn't remove the feature. You can still trigger Polish using:

  • Keyboard shortcut: use the Polish shortcut as normal after dictating.

  • Right-click context menu: right-click on dictated text to access Polish.

When Notetaker recording is blocked

If you try to start a meeting recording from the Flow bar and recording isn't available in your current setup, Flow now displays a message directly in the Flow bar explaining why — along with a clear next step. Previously, the attempt would fail without any explanation.

The message and action you see depend on your situation:

  • Cloud Sync is turned off on your account: you'll see a Turn on Cloud Sync button to enable it.

  • Your team admin has disabled Cloud Sync: you'll see a Manage Cloud Sync option (admins only).

  • A HIPAA agreement is in effect and you're the admin: you'll see a Manage BAA option.

  • A HIPAA agreement is in effect and you're an individual user: you'll see a See options link.

  • Your organization's privacy settings block Notetaker: you'll see a Request access button. After tapping it, you'll receive an "Access requested" confirmation, and your admin will be notified.

All messages include a link to Wispr Flow's Privacy policy.

FAQs

My Polish bubble disappeared — did something break?

No, this is expected. If your one-week grace period ended without 3 clicks on the Flow bar wand, the bubble is hidden automatically. Polish still works via the keyboard shortcut and right-click context menu.

I used Polish via the keyboard shortcut during the grace period — does that count?

No. Only direct clicks on the Polish wand bubble on the Flow bar count toward the 3-click threshold.

Can I get the Polish bubble back after the grace period ends?

Once the grace period ends without reaching the threshold, the bubble will no longer appear on your Flow bar. Polish remains fully functional via the keyboard shortcut and right-click context menu.

What happened to Fetch Links and Scratchpad on my Flow bar?

Fetch Links and Scratchpad are being removed as default Flow bar bubbles for all users as part of Wispr Flow's refocus on dictation, Notetaker, and Instruct. There is no grace period for these two bubbles.

I'm a new user — will I ever get the Polish bubble on my Flow bar?

Users who completed onboarding on or after July 2, 2026 do not receive the Polish bubble on the Flow bar. Polish is still available via the keyboard shortcut and right-click context menu.

I clicked the Notetaker button and nothing happened — why?

Flow now shows a message in the Flow bar explaining why recording couldn't start and what to do next. Look for the notification — it will describe your specific situation and offer a direct action, such as turning on Cloud Sync or requesting access from your admin.

I requested Notetaker access from the Flow bar — what happens next?

After you tap Request access, you'll see an "Access requested" confirmation in the Flow bar. Your organization's admin will be notified. Access is granted at the admin's discretion.

Limitations and notes

  • This change applies to the desktop Flow bar on Mac and Windows.

  • The 3-click threshold counts only clicks on the Polish wand bubble on the Flow bar. Keyboard shortcut and context menu usage do not count.

  • Once you're marked as a heavy Polish user (3+ clicks during the grace period), the bubble remains permanently.

  • Fetch Links and Scratchpad are removed from the default Flow bar for all users; there is no retention path for these bubbles.

  • The Notetaker blocking message is shown in the Flow bar only — it does not appear as a system notification outside of Wispr Flow.

  • The Flow bar Notetaker messages are available in 20+ languages and display in your device's language automatically.