Why Wispr Flow waits to install updates while you're using it

A downloaded update can wait while you're dictating, recording with Notetaker, or actively using Flow. Waiting protects ongoing dictation and recordings; restarting yourself can end them.

When automatic restarts wait

Flow checks for and downloads updates in the background, then schedules installation later. There is no setting to turn automatic updates on or off.

• Dictation and recordings: installation waits while dictation or a Notetaker recording is active, regardless of window focus or recent input.

• Time and connection: installation waits until more than 20 minutes after your last dictation action, and requires an online, active or idle session — not a locked or sleeping computer.

• Active use of Flow: an additional hold can apply while the main Flow window, floating Notetaker notepad, or Scratchpad is focused, your computer is active, and there has been input within the last 5 minutes. The Flow bar, status windows, and context menus don't count, and working only in another app doesn't extend this hold.

After three hours counted toward the active-use hold, Update ready offers Later (the default) or Restart now rather than forcing a restart. Later restarts the three-hour clock; automatic installation can still happen once you're no longer actively using Flow and the other conditions are met. The clock doesn't count time spent dictating, recording, downloading a replacement update, waiting through the post-dictation period, or offline.

Restart safely

1. Finish any dictation or Notetaker recording before restarting.

2. Open Flow's menu from the menu-bar icon (Mac) or system-tray icon (Windows).

3. Select Update ready, restart now? to install the downloaded update and restart Flow.

If dictation or recording is active, that menu action opens Restart to update? with Cancel (the default) and Restart anyway. The same warning appears if capture starts while the Update ready prompt is open and you then choose Restart now. Cancel keeps the downloaded update and returns it to normal scheduling; it does not queue a restart for when the recording ends, and cancelling after choosing Restart now restarts that prompt's three-hour clock.

The Settings sidebar also has an update button beside the installed version at the bottom: it checks for updates or, if one is downloaded, installs it and restarts Flow. It is disabled while checking or downloading. On Mac, the update row also appears in the Wispr Flow application menu.

If a newer release becomes available

Flow keeps checking for newer releases while an update waits and replaces the download automatically when possible. Replacement doesn't reset the original restart schedule, and the earlier download stays ready until its replacement finishes.

Automatic installation waits during replacement downloads. If a replacement stalls, Flow stops waiting after 30 minutes and keeps the earlier update. Restarting manually before the replacement finishes installs the earlier download.

Restarting doesn't guarantee the newest release. Checks cannot run while offline or locked, or before a managed check is due; unreadable release information, network errors, or installer rejection can also leave the earlier update ready. A rejected release isn't retried until the offered release changes.

Organization-managed schedules

Your IT team can set the update schedule through device management (MDM). These schedules don't remove the other conditions above, and no waiting period applies before the first successful check.

When no update is available and a managed check isn't due, Next update check: <date> replaces the menu's check action and isn't clickable, and the Settings update button is disabled with the tooltip Updates managed by your organization. Next check: {{date}}. Manual checks cannot bypass the schedule, but an already downloaded update remains available to restart. Contact your IT administrator about your organization's policy.

Still need help?

After three failed installation attempts, Flow pauses automatic installation for 24 hours and shows There was an error updating Flow. During this pause, restarting doesn't install a new version.

1. Select Restart Flow in the notification.

2. Select Contact us if the error continues, and include your platform, device, and what you tried.