Available on: Mac, Windows
Mouse Flow lets you control dictation with mouse buttons instead of keyboard shortcuts. If you have an external mouse with extra buttons, you can bind them to start, stop, and send messages — keeping your hands on your mouse the entire time.
Follow the guided setup in Flow Settings to bind your mouse buttons. The steps differ depending on your mouse brand.
Tip: After you've dictated 500 words and have completed onboarding at least 24 hours ago, Flow shows a "Mouse Flow Discovery" notification if it detects a compatible mouse. You can also start setup at any time from Settings → General → Shortcuts.
Note: You can assign up to 4 different shortcuts per action (e.g., multiple PTT bindings). Each shortcut can contain up to 3 keys. If your Hands-free shortcut overlaps with a Push-to-Talk shortcut, Flow displays a conflict warning during setup.
Most external mice (non-Logitech MX-series)
Click the Flow icon in your menu bar (Mac) or system tray (Windows).
Go to Settings → General and click Change next to Shortcuts.
Follow the guided setup to bind a mouse button to Hands-free mode.
Press the mouse button you want to use when prompted to record the binding.
Bind Enter Rebind next — press the mouse button or key you want to use for sending messages.
Confirm setup is complete. You'll see a "Mouse Flow setup complete!" toast message.
To verify: dictate a short phrase using your bound button. When you stop, press your Enter Rebind button — the message should send immediately.
Logitech MX-series mice (requires Logi Options+)
Important: Logitech MX-series side buttons are not detected by Flow until they are configured in Logi Options+. Complete steps 1–4 before opening Flow Settings.
Download and open Logi Options+ on your computer.
Select your MX-series mouse from the device list.
Assign a keystroke to your side buttons (Mouse 4/Mouse 5) — for example, F13, which is not used elsewhere.
Save the configuration in Logi Options+ and leave the app running.
Click the Flow icon in your menu bar (Mac) or system tray (Windows), then go to Settings → General → Shortcuts and click Change.
Watch the demo video that appears before the walkthrough begins. (MX Master only) Click Start setup to continue — or use the back arrow to return to Shortcuts settings.
Follow the guided setup to bind Hands-free mode, then Enter Rebind, using the same side buttons you configured.
Confirm setup is complete. You'll see a "Mouse Flow setup complete!" toast message.
To verify: press your Mouse 4/Mouse 5 button to start dictating. Flow should respond to the button press. If it doesn't, check that Logi Options+ is still running and the keystroke assignment was saved.
Push-to-Talk: Hold the button to record. Release it to stop.
Hands-free: Press once to start recording. Press again to stop.
Hybrid bindings: You can combine a keyboard key with a mouse button as a single trigger — for example, Ctrl + Mouse 4.
Warning: When a mouse button is bound as a trigger, Flow intercepts it at all times while Flow is open — the button press will not reach other applications, even when you are not dictating. For hybrid bindings (e.g., Ctrl + Mouse 4), the mouse button is suppressed at all times regardless of whether the keyboard modifier is held. For keyboard-only shortcuts, suppression only applies when the modifier keys are held down.
Middle click: The scroll wheel button on most mice.
Mouse 4 and Mouse 5: The side buttons found on most external mice.
Mouse 6–Mouse 10: Additional auxiliary buttons available on some gaming and productivity mice.
Aux Button: Some mice (e.g., certain Logitech models) have auxiliary buttons that are detected separately and can also be bound as triggers.
Note: Left and right mouse clicks cannot be used as dictation triggers, since they are needed for normal mouse operation.
Most external mice with extra buttons: Buttons are recognized by Flow automatically — no additional software required.
Logitech MX-series mice: Side buttons must first be configured in Logi Options+ before Flow can detect them. Recognized models include MX Master, MX Anywhere, MX Ergo, MX Vertical, Lift, M720, M750, M705, and Marathon series.
Important: Mouse Flow requires an external mouse with more than 3 buttons, or a supported Logitech MX-series mouse. Built-in trackpads, standard two-button mice, and Apple Magic Mouse are not compatible.
What's the difference between Push-to-Talk and Hands-free bindings?
Push-to-Talk records only while you hold the button down — release it to stop. Hands-free starts recording on one press and stops on the next. The guided setup walks you through Hands-free and Enter Rebind; PTT can be configured manually in Settings → General → Shortcuts.
What does the Enter Rebind do?
It simulates pressing the Enter key in whatever app is in focus. This lets you send a message immediately after dictating without moving your hand to the keyboard.
Why does my Mouse 4 button no longer trigger back navigation in my browser?
When a mouse button is bound as a Flow trigger, Flow intercepts it so it won't activate other functions. To restore the original behavior, unbind that button in Settings → General → Shortcuts.
I dismissed the setup notification. How do I start setup?
Go to Settings → General → Shortcuts to start the guided setup at any time. A notification badge appears on the General settings tab when Flow detects a compatible mouse and Mouse Flow setup has not been completed. If you didn't act on the initial notification, Flow sends a reminder two weeks later (with a "Don't show again" option).
Can I use Mouse Flow with a laptop's built-in trackpad?
No. Mouse Flow requires an external mouse with dedicated extra buttons. Built-in trackpads do not have bindable buttons.
Do I need to configure all keybind sections?
No. Only bind the shortcuts you plan to use. The guided setup focuses on Hands-free and Enter Rebind as the core Mouse Flow workflow.
Does Logi Options+ need to stay open for my MX mouse to work?
Yes. Logi Options+ must be running for the button assignments to remain active. It typically runs in the background on login — check your login items if the buttons stop working after a restart.
Mouse Flow is available on Mac and Windows only.
An external mouse with extra buttons beyond left and right click is required.
Logitech MX-series mice require Logi Options+ to be installed and running.
Logitech MX Master side buttons cannot be used directly for Push-to-Talk because Logi Options+ converts them to instant gesture events. Assign a keystroke (e.g., F13) in Logi Options+ first.
MX Master users see a demo video before the guided setup walkthrough begins. Users with other MX-series mice go directly to the walkthrough.
Mouse Flow Discovery notifications are categorized as Tips and Suggestions. If you have muted this notification category, you will not receive Mouse Flow prompts.