Troubleshooting audio playback & AirPod issues (iOS, macOS)

Switch off AirPods during onboarding

With AirPods connected during setup, the mic test page warns: "AirPods aren't the best for dictation — They can add delay and hurt accuracy," with Switch microphone and Don't show again buttons. The warning is advisory — you can continue with AirPods.

1. Click Change mic on the mic test page to switch inputs without leaving onboarding.

2. If you dismissed the warning, go to Settings → General → Microphone and select a different input.

Dictate a test phrase. If it transcribes correctly, you're set.

Stop AirPods from auto-switching (Mac)

AirPods jumping from iPhone to Mac is caused by Apple's automatic device switching, not Flow.

1. Open Apple menu → System Settings → Bluetooth.

2. Click the i next to your AirPods.

3. Set "Connect to This Mac" to When Last Connected to This Mac.

4. Move AirPods back to your iPhone manually if they jump to your Mac — this often stabilizes future sessions.

Dictate a test phrase. If AirPods stay on your intended device, this step worked.

Use the microphone picker (Mac/Windows)

• Device ordering: Click Edit to drag devices into your preferred ranking; the trash button forgets disconnected devices.

• Duplicate entries: If the same mic appears twice (for example, after reconnecting AirPods), duplicate rows collapse the next time you open Settings or the hub, keeping the connected device at the higher-ranked slot.

• Virtual mic devices: Hidden from the list automatically.

• Microphone quiz: The "Take the microphone quiz" link recommends a mic for your setup. Open it from the picker or from the Hub home-screen banner ("Using Flow around other people?"), which you can dismiss with the X.

Turn on music muting (Mac/Windows)

Flow can mute system audio while you dictate — off by default on Mac, on by default on Windows.

1. Open Flow and go to Settings → System → Sound.

2. Enable Mute music while dictating.

Flow mutes your default output device when dictation starts and restores it when you stop. Muting activates only if audio is already playing when you begin; audio that was already muted stays muted.

On macOS 14.2 and later, Flow detects audio only from other apps, excluding its own dictation sounds, so the "Auto-mute music" prompt appears only when a music or video app is genuinely playing.

Dictate a test phrase while music plays. If the music pauses and your transcription is accurate, the setting works.

Handle audio interruptions (iOS)

On iOS, audio device changes and interruptions stop dictation:

• Device changes: If AirPods connect or disconnect mid-dictation, Flow stops recording. Start a new session once the device settles.

• Phone calls: Incoming calls stop dictation; restart after the call. The Flow keyboard resets to the mic button so you can tap to start again.

• Background recording timer: Under Settings → Disable Flow Session, choose how long Flow keeps recording in the background: Never, 60 minutes, 15 minutes, 5 minutes (default), or stop on app close.

• Recording errors: A bottom-sheet message names the problem (audio engine, transcription, network, mic in use, or mic permission) and offers Retry; dismiss it with the x, by tapping outside, or by swiping down. An "Enable Full Access" modal offers Finish Setup.

• Microphone permission: An "Enable Microphone" alert with "Open Settings" and "Cancel" appears in the main app and on the Flow keyboard's switchback screen; a modal reading "To use Flow, turn on Microphone in Settings" offers Go to Settings. Use either to re-enable permission (see Quick checks).

• Audio failure: If the audio system cannot start, a full-screen "no audio" view appears with Dismiss and Retry. Retry restarts recording.

• Automatic switchback unavailable: Flow names the app you were typing in and offers no button — close the message and switch back manually.

• Playback interruptions: Transcript playback in History also ends if the output device disconnects (for example, Bluetooth headphones) or a call interrupts it.

Respond to Flow's audio notifications (Mac/Windows)

What each audio notification means and how to respond:

• Microphone disconnected: Your mic dropped mid-session. Click Insert to recover text recorded up to that point.

• "Is your microphone muted?": No audio detected. Unmute your mic or pick another in Settings → General → Microphone.

• "We couldn't hear you": No speech detected. Actions: Select microphone / Troubleshoot.

• "We didn't hear you clearly.": Low mic quality. Actions: Change microphone / Don't show again. Click the notification to play back your audio.

• No audio received / Microphone is not working: Use Select microphone to switch inputs, or contact support if it persists.

• No microphone detected: Flow found no microphone. Action: Open Sound Settings.

• Microphone unavailable: Another app may be using the mic, or the driver is stuck. Action: Troubleshoot.

• Selected microphone is unavailable: Your selected mic can't be reached. Action: Choose Microphone.

• Microphone error: An error occurred with your mic. Action: Troubleshoot.

• Unable to access mic: Flow couldn't access the microphone. Action: Restart App.

• Microphone Permission Required: Flow lacks mic permission. Action: Grant Permission.

• Microphone access is disabled (Windows only): Windows privacy settings block Flow's mic access. Action: Open Settings.

• "{{name}} detected — use this mic for Flow?": A new mic was connected. Actions: Switch / Don't Switch.

• Audio system failed to load: Flow's audio system couldn't start. Action: Restart Flow.

• Laptop lid closed warning: The built-in mic can't be used with the MacBook lid closed. Connect an external mic or open the lid.

After taking the recommended action, dictate a test phrase. If the notification doesn't reappear and your text shows up, the issue is resolved.

Why does Flow recommend the built-in mic over AirPods?

AirPods can be slow to start recording and are more prone to connection interruptions, which causes missed words or errors. The built-in mic is more stable.

Does Flow auto-select the built-in mic during setup?

No. Flow labels it "Built-in mic (recommended)" in the picker, but you choose it yourself during setup.

What does the warning icon next to AirPods mean in Settings?

It flags slower start times and more transcription errors. Switch to a wired or built-in mic for best results.

Why did my auto-selected microphone change after an update?

Duplicate mic entries collapse to the better-ranked slot (see "Use the microphone picker"), which can shift your auto-selected mic once. Open Settings → General → Microphone to reorder your ranking.

Why does the Dynamic Island indicator stay visible after I stop dictating? (iOS)

The indicator disappears if you stop before transcription begins. If transcription has already started, or the stop came from an audio interruption, the pill switches to an idle state and stays visible.

Why is auto-mute music triggering when nothing is playing? (Mac)

On macOS versions older than 14.2, detection may trigger when no music is playing. Update to macOS 14.2 or later, where Flow detects audio only from other apps.

Why is there a short delay when I start dictating right after opening Flow? (iOS)

On a cold start, iOS can reject the first attempt to start audio, so Flow retries automatically before reporting a failure. Waiting a moment or retrying succeeds.