Why Wispr Flow doesn't pause background audio on iPhone (iOS)

Last updated: September 10, 2026

Available on: iPhone (iOS). Background-audio behavior differs on Mac and Windows.

If music, a podcast, or a video keeps playing when you start dictating on iPhone — and some of that audio lands in your transcript — that's expected today. Here's how to keep background audio out of your dictation.

Why it happens

On iPhone, Flow records alongside other audio instead of interrupting it. Playback keeps running through your speaker while the mic is live, so it can reach your transcript. Flow can also keep recording while backgrounded or with the screen locked. Apple's built-in dictation pauses other audio as part of the system service; Flow doesn't on iOS today.

The iPhone app has no audio-ducking or mute-music setting. Settings → Audio holds only two toggles: Interaction sounds and Use built-in mic. There is no microphone picker on iOS.

Note: Use Built-In Mic (Settings → Audio) only changes which microphone Flow records from. It does not pause or duck background audio.

What you can do today

  1. Pause playback in the music, podcast, or video app before dictating, or route playback to wired or Bluetooth headphones so sound isn't coming from the speaker next to the mic.

  2. Dictate as usual. If no background audio appears in your transcript, you're set.

Background-audio ducking on iOS — matching Apple's behavior and the Mute Music option on desktop — is logged with our product team as a strong customer request.

If the mic is busy or your dictation gets interrupted

If another app or a phone call is using the iPhone microphone, Flow shows a full-screen no-audio message with Dismiss and Retry buttons. Retry restarts recording.

If a call or Siri interrupts a dictation and there's nowhere to paste, Flow saves the transcript to your history and shows a "Your dictation was interrupted — Tap to view your transcript" notification. Tapping it opens your Home/history tab and copies that transcript to your clipboard. Notifications appear only if you've allowed them for Flow; the transcript is saved to your history either way.

Two related notifications you may also see:

  • "Your dictation reached the time limit — Tap to view your transcript" — the duration cap was hit and there's nowhere to paste.

  • "Your <length> dictation is saved — Tap to retry" — transcription failed; tapping retries it.

FAQs

Will turning on Use Built-In Mic stop background audio from playing?

No. It's on by default and only forces Flow to record from your iPhone's built-in microphone, dropping Bluetooth hands-free devices. It has no effect on other apps' audio.

Does this work differently on Mac or Windows?

Yes. Desktop has a Mute Music option (Settings → System → Sound), on by default on Windows and off by default on Mac, so Mac users usually need to turn it on. It isn't in the iPhone app today.

On Mac, Mute Music engages only if something is playing, starts shortly after dictation begins, and restores your previous mute/volume state afterwards. With Bluetooth headsets, the unmute can be delayed by a few seconds and the dictation-stop sound suppressed. Desktop may also show a Tip notification suggesting you change the Mute Music setting.

How long does a background dictation session stay active?

Sessions auto-stop based on Settings → General → "Disable Flow after": Never, 1 hour, 15 minutes, 5 minutes (default), or Immediately. This only stops an idle backgrounded session — it never cuts off an active recording.

Still stuck?

Contact support if:

  • Background audio still lands in your transcript after you pause playback — include your iPhone model, iOS version, and the app playing audio.

  • Mute Music on Mac or Windows isn't pausing audio during dictation.

  • Flow on Mac or Windows repeatedly shows a mic error such as "No audio detected", "Microphone disconnected", or a mic-permission warning and dictation won't start.

  • Flow shows a no-audio or "audio input is busy" message on iPhone — note which app or call was using the microphone.