Set up the Flow keyboard on iPhone

If Flow opens when you tap the mic

Automatic return varies by app, account, and iOS release. When an automatic-return confirmation appears during recording, it asks only once.

Returning through the iPhone's back-to-app behavior preserves your chat, tab, or page; a return that reopens the app may not. With setup complete and recording active, dictation continues if the keyboard returns within 10 seconds and is ready to start.

The "Flow is on" manual screen appears if Flow cannot reach the previous app, automatic return fails, recording stops before return, or recording is not ready in time.

After 10 seconds, an unfinished switch, its return destination, and automatic dictation start expire. Flow then opens normally the next time you launch it, and the keyboard mic works on your next attempt.

Full Access is missing

The keyboard's Full Access message says "To use Flow → allow Full Access in your Keyboard Settings," rather than showing the microphone message. Tapping the keyboard's settings button without Full Access or microphone permission shows a permission message instead of the drawer.

1. Open Flow.

2. Tap Finish setup under "Almost there!".

3. Tap Next on "Flow cares about privacy. Your data is safe.".

4. Tap Go to settings on the instructions page to open iOS Settings.

5. Enable Full Access using the steps under Add the keyboard.

6. Repeat the test dictation; text should appear in your field.

The helper closes when you switch away or return if the keyboard is installed; closing alone does not confirm Full Access.

Microphone permission is missing

If "To use Flow, turn on Microphone in Settings" appears, use its Go to Settings action. Without Full Access on iOS 26 or later, the keyboard's settings action opens iOS Settings; otherwise it opens Flow's settings.

1. Tap Go to Settings in the microphone message.

2. Enable Wispr Flow in Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone.

3. Repeat the test dictation; text should appear in your field.

Using that button clears the keyboard's blocked state, so you can grant access and retry without reopening Flow. Closing the message with X or swiping down does not do this; it can reappear on the next mic tap.

If Wispr Flow isn't in that Microphone list, open the Wispr Flow app and tap the microphone once to trigger the iOS permission prompt — keyboards can't show iOS permission dialogs, so the prompt has to come from the main app.

Keyboards or Microphone is missing from Settings

The option appears once the app has fully refreshed.

1. Force close the Settings app.

2. Reopen Settings and check for the missing option.

The mic does nothing, or recording stops

If Flow closed in the background, pause for half a second before tapping the mic again; rapid repeated taps postpone recovery. After an unanswered first tap and that pause, the next tap can reopen Flow. Additional start taps during an active dictation are ignored, not queued.

If stopping never reaches processing, the stuck dictation clears after 3 seconds.

Calls, other audio interruptions, and connecting or disconnecting a headset or Bluetooth device stop recording. Recording does not resume automatically after an interruption. Switching audio output without connecting or disconnecting a device stops recording only when the built-in mic is not selected; other audio changes do not necessarily stop it.

An unavailable microphone stops the start attempt with an error. In Flow, "Can’t turn on Flow right now" says "Flow needs your microphone to work, but another app is already using it." That screen always offers Dismiss and Retry, unlike the keyboard error menu.

1. Close the other app if it is using the microphone.

2. Repeat the test dictation; text should appear in your field.

An error appears after dictation

The orange triangle left of the mic/checkmark has the accessibility label Error options. Its Dismiss action clears every error message. Retry re-runs transcription only for generic errors or cancelled processing: "Your text is saved but didn't make it through."

Audio-capture errors have no Retry option. Choose Dismiss and follow: "Couldn't start audio capture. Tap the mic to try again, or quit and reopen the Flow app if it keeps happening."

"We didn't catch anything. Please try speaking again." also has no Retry option. This fallback wording is not proof of a connection problem.

1. Check Wi-Fi or mobile data.

2. Choose Dismiss from the orange triangle's menu.

3. Repeat the test dictation; text should appear in your field.

Ending a dictation without speaking inserts nothing and shows the silent notice instead. A successful or silent dictation, or starting a new dictation, clears error messages.

If your connection drops mid-dictation, Flow keeps transcribing what you say afterwards and inserts the text; if a newer dictation has taken over the field, the text is saved and recoverable from History.

During a service disruption, a separate Service incident button can appear beside the error menu. Open it for the incident message and select View incident to open the status page.

A weekly word limit blocks dictation

On Basic, you get a limited amount of weekly mobile dictation; desktop dictation does not count. Once you reach your allowance, dictation slows but remains available. At your maximum, the mic and Start are blocked for signed-in users with keyboard setup complete. The keyboard's limit message offers an upgrade or student-plan option. In the Flow app, the separate card reads "Dictation limit reached," "Dictation resets Sunday, 12 a.m. PT.," and Get unlimited access.

The keyboard warns as you approach your allowance, counting down the words you have left. Once you pass the allowance, "Weekly dictation limit reached. Flow will slow down until next week." reappears at intervals as you keep dictating. The app likewise explains that dictation slows rather than stops.

During an active bonus-word offer, extra words raise both the slowdown and stopping thresholds for a limited period. A one-time "You're on a roll" message can appear once you pass your usual allowance during that offer.

Remaining-word and limit cards are hidden for users eligible for the free Student plan and accounts whose introductory offer has not yet been revealed. This card visibility is separate from the start restrictions above.

To continue after reaching the stopping threshold, use the offered plan option or wait until the weekly reset.

Can I use the Flow keyboard in any app?

Yes, in any app that uses standard iOS text input — Messages, Mail, Notes, Slack, and more. Apps with custom text fields, such as certain banking apps, don't support third-party keyboards.

Why does the system keyboard appear in some fields instead of Flow?

Flow switches to the system keyboard in number pads (including pads limited to digits 0–9), phone, decimal, email-address, and numbers-and-punctuation fields. Flow stays active in URL and search fields.