Setup Guide

Mac

Setup is complete when the Flow Hub appears.

1. Download and install

1. Download Flow from wisprflow.ai.

2. Open the downloaded file and drag Wispr Flow into your Applications folder.

3. Launch Wispr Flow from Applications. The Flow icon appears in your menu bar when it's running.

2. Sign in or create an account

1. Click Sign in via browser, then sign in with Google, Apple, Microsoft, SSO, or email and password.

2. Return to the desktop app. Your session transfers back automatically. If the attempt times out, click Sign in via browser again.

3. Grant permissions

1. Click Allow on the microphone permission card, then Allow on the macOS dialog. Repeat for the accessibility card.

2. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone (or Accessibility) and turn on Wispr Flow if you denied or skipped a permission. Allow also opens System Settings to the right page and becomes clickable again if a grant isn't detected. The page auto-advances as each permission is granted.

4. Complete the tutorial

1. Click Continue through the intro screens.

2. Answer the "Tell us about yourself" questions. Selecting Other (or Something else) opens a text field — enter a description to continue.

3. Review the Privacy notice.

4. Test your microphone. Speak aloud — the bars rise when you speak. Click Change microphone to pick a different one.

   1. For No microphone found, click Open Sound Settings and connect a mic.

   2. For In use by another app, click Open Sound Settings or Restart Flow. Flow re-checks automatically, so the error clears once fixed.

5. Set your keyboard shortcut by pressing the keys you want, or click Edit shortcut. Onboarding offers only Push to talk and Hands-free mode. On Macs with the Apple fn key, fn is the default; without it, Flow uses Ctrl+Opt. Other defaults: Cmd+Ctrl+V for Paste Last Transcript, Fn+Space for Hands-free.

6. Select your dictation languages in the Dictation languages dialog, or leave it on auto-detect. This controls the languages you dictate in; Notetaker detects meeting languages separately.

7. Follow the "Try It Yourself" demos: hold or double-tap as instructed, pressing key combinations at the same time, say something, then release. Text appears in the demo window when it works. Each demo step has a Skip button.

5. Finish setup

1. Configure your privacy preferences on the You control your data screen:

   1. Improve the model for everyone: Lets us collect your audio, transcripts, and edits to train and improve AI models.

   2. Don't use my data for training: None of your data is used for model training by us or any third party.

2. Click Explore Wispr Flow on the "You're ready to Flow everywhere." notification to open the Flow Hub on the Home page, which shows recent activity, stats, and your dictation shortcut in the welcome header.

3. Hold your shortcut key in any app to dictate — or double-tap it to toggle Hands-free mode. Press key combinations at the same time.

Windows

Setup is complete when the Flow Hub appears.

1. Download and install

1. Download Flow from wisprflow.ai.

2. Open the installer and follow the on-screen steps.

3. Launch Wispr Flow from the Start menu. The Flow icon appears in your system tray, at the right end of the taskbar, when it's running.

2. Sign in or create an account

1. Click Sign in via browser, then sign in with Google, Apple, Microsoft, SSO, or email and password.

2. Return to the desktop app. Your session transfers back automatically and the app moves to the next screen. If the attempt times out, click Sign in via browser again.

3. Grant permissions

1. Allow microphone access when Windows prompts you. If access is already granted system-wide, Flow skips the Permissions step.

2. Open Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone and turn on access for Wispr Flow if you dismissed the prompt. The page auto-advances once the permission is granted.

4. Complete the tutorial

1. Click Continue through the intro screens.

2. Answer the "Tell us about yourself" questions. Selecting Other (or Something else) opens a text field — enter a description to continue.

3. Review the Privacy notice.

4. Test your microphone. Speak aloud — the bars rise when you speak. Click Change microphone to pick a different one.

   1. For No microphone found, click Open Sound Settings and connect a mic.

   2. For In use by another app, click Open Sound Settings or Restart Flow. Flow re-checks automatically, so the error clears once fixed.

5. Set your keyboard shortcut by pressing the keys you want, or click Edit shortcut. Onboarding offers only Push to talk and Hands-free mode.

6. Select your dictation languages in the Dictation languages dialog, or leave it on auto-detect. This controls the languages you dictate in; Notetaker detects meeting languages separately.

7. Follow the "Try It Yourself" demos: hold or double-tap as instructed, pressing key combinations (such as Ctrl+Win) at the same time, say something, then release. On the Flow bar, click ✓ to finish dictation or X to cancel. Text appears in the demo window when it works. Each demo step has a Skip button.

5. Finish setup

1. Configure your privacy preferences on the You control your data screen:

   1. Improve the model for everyone: Lets us collect your audio, transcripts, and edits to train and improve AI models.

   2. Don't use my data for training: None of your data is used for model training by us or any third party.

2. Click Explore Wispr Flow on the "You're ready to Flow everywhere." notification to open the Flow Hub on the Home page, which shows recent activity and stats. New users see their dictation shortcut in the welcome header; after you've been dictating for a while, it becomes a "Welcome back, [Your name]" greeting.

3. Hold your shortcut key in any app to dictate — or double-tap it to toggle Hands-free mode. Press key combinations at the same time.

iOS

Setup is complete when you return to the main screen.

1. Download and install

1. Open the App Store and search for Wispr Flow.

2. Tap Get to install the app.

3. Tap the Wispr Flow icon on your Home Screen to open it.

New installs open with one of two intros, chosen automatically at first launch:

• Classic intro: Branded intro screens leading straight into sign-in.

• Updated intro: An intro video with a Get Started button — you don't have to watch the full video — then value-prop slides you can swipe manually at any time. With Reduce Motion on, or if the video loads slowly, Get Started appears right away.

2. Sign in or create an account

1. Sign in with Google or Apple, or tap More Options to use Microsoft, SSO, or email and password.

2. Create an account if you're new — enter your email, a password, and your full name. If your password doesn't meet the requirements, an error beneath the password field explains what to change.

3. Complete the CAPTCHA and verify your email. CAPTCHA also appears for Forgot Password and Resend Verification.

4. Tap the verification link in your email. iOS signs you in automatically — you don't need to return to the app manually.

3. Enable the Flow Keyboard

1. Watch the on-screen walkthrough, then tap Go to Settings to open your keyboard settings.

2. Enable Wispr Flow and turn on Allow Full Access. The Flow Keyboard appears in your list of keyboards when it's added correctly.

4. Complete the tutorial

1. Tap Next through the keyboard walkthrough cards: Flow in Apps, Tap to Speak, and Check to Complete.

2. Practice dictating. Grant microphone access when prompted, then tap the mic on the Flow Keyboard and speak. Each dictation inserts at your cursor position (or replaces selected text), so multiple dictations accumulate; you can type or backspace freely. Tap the checkmark when done. A "Congrats! You've experienced the magic of Flow" message confirms it worked.

3. Answer the "Which of these do you resonate with?" question. Selecting Other (or Something else) opens a text field — enter a description to continue.

4. Configure your privacy preferences on the You control your data screen: Improve the model for everyone or Don't use my data for training.

5. Select your dictation languages in the Dictation languages dialog. If you already chose languages on another device, Flow skips this step and applies them automatically.

6. Allow or skip push notifications.

7. Tap Email me a link for later on the optional "Flow is even more powerful on your computer" step, or Another time to skip. If you already use Flow on a Mac or Windows PC, this step is skipped automatically.

Switch to the Flow Keyboard in any app and tap the microphone to dictate.

Android

Setup is complete when you return to the main screen.

1. Download and install

1. Open the Google Play Store and search for Wispr Flow.

2. Tap Install to download the app.

3. Tap the Wispr Flow icon on your Home Screen to open it.

2. Sign in or create an account

1. Sign in with Google, Apple, Microsoft, SSO, or email and password.

2. Create an account if you're new — enter your email, your full name, and a password, then confirm it. The password can't match your name; if it doesn't meet the requirements, an error beneath the password field explains what to change.

3. Verify your email. If the message doesn't arrive, tap Resend verification email on the verification screen.

4. Tap Open Wispr Flow on the post-sign-in page to return to the app. If Wispr Flow is not installed, the page takes you to the Google Play Store listing instead.

3. Grant permissions

1. Allow Wispr Flow to appear over other apps when prompted (overlay access).

2. Tap Agree on the legal consent screen, then tap Open settings and turn on Wispr Flow in System Settings.

3. Allow Flow to keep running in the background when prompted. You can skip this step.

4. Complete the tutorial

1. Tap Give it a try! to begin onboarding.

2. View the intro screens about how Flow works.

3. Select your dictation languages in the Dictation languages dialog.

4. Practice dictating by tapping the Flow Bubble and speaking when you see the "Say something!" prompt. Your words appear as text when it works.

5. Practice press-and-hold dictation in the push-to-talk tutorial.

6. Configure your privacy preferences on the You control your data screen: Improve the model for everyone or Don't use my data for training.

7. Allow or skip push notifications. The Flow Bubble appears when you tap into any text field.

Get Flow on your phone

In the desktop app, open Help → Try mobile app, then scan the QR code or text yourself the download link.

Get Flow on your computer

In the iOS app, open the Unlock Flow on your computer page and tap Email me a link for later. You'll receive an email with a link to download Flow for Mac or Windows. If the email couldn't be sent, tap again to retry.

Referred by a friend

If someone referred you, a 1-Month Free Trial badge appears on the Flow Pro onboarding page with a message like "Jordan gifted you a month of unlimited access to Flow. No strings attached. No credit card required."

Promotional offers

If you signed up through a promotional offer — for example, from a partner or publication — a Promotional Offer badge appears with a personalized message like "You've unlocked Flow Pro!" Promos without a personalized source message show the generic "You have a promotional offer." Your extended trial begins when you upgrade.

Do I get a free trial when I sign up?

New desktop signups receive an 8,000-word bonus for their first week instead of a default free trial. Trials are applied automatically at sign-in if you signed up via a referral, promo code, student program, or a team or enterprise account, or were granted one by your team admin or support.

I'm getting an "email already registered" error

Your email is already linked to a different sign-in method, such as Google or Apple. Flow detects which provider you used and prompts you to sign in with it.

I didn't receive the verification email

Check your spam or trash folder for an email from support@wisprflow.ai. If it's not there, request a new verification email from the sign-in screen.

My password was rejected during signup or password reset

The exact requirement appears beneath the password field — read it and choose a password that meets the criteria. During a password reset, the form stays open so you can try again right away.

The microphone test isn't detecting my voice

If an error appears, use the on-screen button it gives you — for example, opening Sound Settings or switching microphones. If there's no error but the bars don't respond, select a different microphone from the dropdown. AirPods and Bluetooth microphones may show 1–2 bars during silence, which is normal.

Can I set up writing style personalization later?

Yes. Open Settings and look for the writing style options. Writing styles are available only when English is your selected language.

Can I change my dictation language settings later?

Yes. Add or remove dictation languages anytime in Flow's settings. On desktop, you can also leave it on auto-detect and Flow recognizes the language you're speaking.

My onboarding looks different from what's described here

Onboarding varies by how you use Flow, your organization's settings, and on iOS, by which intro your install received. The core steps — language, shortcut, microphone test, privacy preferences — are the same for everyone; layout, demos, and some prompts differ.

Why is "Don't use my data for training" locked on for me?

This option is locked on if your organization's IT admin has enforced zero data retention, or if you've signed the HIPAA Business Associate Agreement. It can't be toggled off.

Can I combine a discount code with a promotional offer?

No. Only one promo code can be active at a time. Applying a second code shows the error "You already have an active promo applied."

What is the Wispr QWERTY keyboard on iOS?

It's a full keyboard layout built into the Flow Keyboard on iOS. If it's available for your account, turn on Show full QWERTY keyboard under Settings → General. When it's off, tapping the keyboard switch key takes you to your system keyboard.

Can I pause the Notetaker guided tour video?

Yes. Hover over the tour narration card to reveal a play/pause button — click it, anywhere on the card, or use the keyboard to pause the video, narration, and tour progression. Click again to resume. Restarting the tour always begins from the start.

Do I need a separate Hands-free shortcut?

No — double-tapping your Push-to-talk key toggles Hands-free mode. You can delete the dedicated Hands-free shortcut and it stays removed; to restore it, go to Settings → Shortcuts and record a new binding or click Reset to default.

My multi-key shortcut doesn't work during the practice demos

Press both keys at the same time — not one after the other. On the onboarding shortcut test screen, the keys turn purple when pressed correctly together. The same applies when double-tapping to toggle Hands-free mode: tap both keys simultaneously, twice.

I clicked "Start Notetaker" during setup but nothing happened

On Mac, Notetaker can't start until onboarding has requested microphone permission — you'll see a "Finish setup to use Notetaker" message. See the permissions note in the Mac steps.

Why don't I see an option to connect my calendar during setup?

If your organization's admin has disabled all calendar providers, the Connect Calendar step is omitted entirely. Check which connectors are available to you in Settings → Connectors; connectors disabled by policy don't appear. Contact your IT admin if you need access.