Re-verify Wispr Flow permissions after updating

Last updated: September 10, 2026

Available on: Mac, Windows, iOS, Android

If Flow stopped listening, stopped typing, or stopped responding to shortcuts after a system or app update, its permissions need to be re-verified. Most cases resolve in under 2 minutes.

Quick checks

  • Did you just update your OS or the app? Updates can reset permissions or add new permission scopes.

  • Is Flow running? Look for the Flow icon in your menu bar (Mac) or system tray (Windows), or confirm the app is open on mobile.

  • Does your mic work in other apps? Record a clip in Voice Memos (Mac/iOS) or Sound Recorder (Windows/Android). If it's silent there, fix your system mic before continuing.

How to re-verify permissions

Mac

Flow needs Microphone and Accessibility permissions. Screen Recording is not required for basic dictation.

  1. Quit Flow from the Wispr Flow menu bar icon.

  2. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone.

  3. Toggle Wispr Flow off, then on again.

  4. Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility and enable Wispr Flow.

  5. Reopen Wispr Flow from Applications or the Dock.

  6. Dictate a short phrase. If text appears, you're done.

Note: On a first-time grant, macOS shows a permission dialog — click Allow. If you previously denied access, Allow opens System Settings instead. Flow re-checks permissions when you bring it to the foreground.

Windows

Flow needs no app-level Microphone or Accessibility permission on Windows — only system microphone access, which Flow checks continuously, so manual re-verification after an update is usually unnecessary.

  1. Check your microphone in Windows Sound Settings and confirm no other app is using it exclusively.

  2. Close and reopen Wispr Flow.

  3. Dictate a short phrase. If text appears in Recent Activity, you're done.

Note: A notification titled "Microphone access is disabled" means Windows is genuinely blocking access; its Open Settings button opens Windows Privacy & Security → Microphone.

iOS

On a first-time grant, tapping Start Flow or the microphone button triggers the iOS prompt — tap Allow. If you previously denied access, iOS won't re-show it; a mic-access prompt with a Go to Settings button appears in the Home stats carousel instead.

  1. Tap Go to Settings on that prompt, or open iOS Settings → Wispr Flow → Microphone.

  2. Turn on the Microphone toggle for Wispr Flow.

  3. Return to Wispr Flow — it detects the change automatically.

  4. Dictate a short phrase. If text appears, you're done.

Note: If Wispr Flow isn't listed under Microphone in iOS Settings, tap Start Flow or the mic button in the app to trigger the system request, which adds it to iOS Settings.

Note: If the Flow keyboard lacks Full Access, Home shows an "Almost there!" card whose Finish setup button opens a 2-step walkthrough. The card disappears once the keyboard is installed.

Android

The Home screen shows a card naming what needs attention: "We can't hear you" (microphone revoked), "Flow Bubble Disabled" (service stopped), "Enable Flow bubble on screen" (Display over other apps missing), "Flow can't insert text" (Accessibility missing), "Keep Wispr Flow running" (battery optimization enabled), or "Bubble is snoozed" (manually dismissed).

To restore microphone access:

  1. Tap Allow Microphone on the "We can't hear you" card. If you previously chose "Don't ask again," this opens Settings → Apps → Wispr Flow → Permissions instead.

  2. Set Microphone to Allow.

  3. Return to Wispr Flow — the card updates and recording resumes without restarting the app.

  4. Dictate a short phrase. If text appears, you're done.

For other cards, tap the card's action button (Turn Back On, Go to Settings, or End snooze now) and follow the prompt.

Re-enabled accessibility or microphone access is detected immediately, and a background check re-asserts the accessibility service periodically and after the screen wakes, so many manufacturer-caused drops self-heal.

Note: On Samsung and other manufacturer devices, the system can silently drop Flow's accessibility connection. Tap the bubble when it shows the warning icon ("Wispr Flow needs attention") to open the in-app repair screen and re-enable Wispr Flow in Android's accessibility settings.

Note: When Flow opens Android Accessibility settings, a picture-in-picture guide floats over Settings showing where to tap. Devices without picture-in-picture support open Settings without it.

Note: The Flow Bubble is hidden in password, numeric-password, and phone-number fields, in banking and financial apps, and in password managers, but appears in browser URL bars and system notification reply boxes. It also stays hidden until onboarding is complete, including after signing in with a different account on the same device.

Note: Snooze lasts 10 minutes. End it early by shaking your phone (blocked inside banking apps) or tapping End snooze now on the Home card. Snooze does not survive a force-stop — the bubble returns on the next service start.

Note: If Flow can't insert text, it writes into the field first, then falls back to your clipboard; insertion is skipped in password fields, banking apps, and very large text fields. If a paste fails, the dictated text stays on your clipboard — tap the checkmark to retry or the Wispr icon to dismiss. If transcription fails, a toast reads "Failed to transcribe. Saved in the app." and tapping it starts a new dictation.

Warning: If "Display over other apps" is revoked while Flow is running, the bubble and service shut down the next time Flow tries to show the overlay. Re-enable it in Settings → Apps → Wispr Flow → Display over other apps, then tap Turn Back On in the app.

FAQs

Flow keeps asking for microphone access every time I start it

The permission wasn't fully granted. Toggle it off and on again in System Settings, then restart Flow.

I don't see Wispr Flow listed under Microphone or Accessibility on Mac

Reinstall Flow. If it still doesn't appear, contact support with your macOS version.

Keyboard shortcuts stopped working even though microphone access is on

On Mac, keyboard shortcuts require Accessibility permission, which is separate from Microphone. See the Mac steps above.

I see "Flow Bubble Disabled" on Android but all my permissions are on

The Flow Bubble service has stopped while permissions remain in place — most often after updating Flow or when the system stops the service. Tap Turn Back On to restart it.

On Android, snooze says it's unavailable or I can't dismiss the Flow Bubble

Both are intentional in repair mode: snooze is cancelled and the bubble can't be dismissed so the repair prompt stays visible. Tap the bubble and re-enable Wispr Flow in Android's accessibility settings to restore both.

Still need help?

Reach out to support if:

  • Dictation or shortcuts still don't work after all steps above.

  • Wispr Flow doesn't appear under Microphone or Accessibility after reinstalling.

  • Flow crashes or freezes when you change permissions.

Include your platform, device model, and what you already tried — most permission issues are resolved in one reply. On desktop, click Help → Talk to support. On iOS, go to Menu → Talk to Support. On Android, open the drawer, select Report an issue, choose a Request Type (Issue, Billing, or Account management), enter a description, and tap Send; you can attach one image, and the submission continues if you leave the screen.