Troubleshooting audio playback & AirPod issues (iOS, macOS)

Follow the onboarding AirPods warning

If you have AirPods connected when you first set up Flow, a warning recommends you switch to a different microphone for better dictation quality.

1. Click Change microphone in the prompt to select another option, such as your device's built-in mic or a wired microphone.

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, click the i next to your AirPods, and set "Connect to This Mac" to When Last Connected to This Mac.

2. Switch back manually if AirPods jump to your Mac — move them back to your iPhone. This often stabilizes future sessions.

3. Disable Bluetooth temporarily if needed. Go to Apple menu → System Settings → Bluetooth and turn Bluetooth off while using AirPods with your iPhone.

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

Configure music muting (Mac/Windows)

Flow can automatically mute system audio while you dictate.

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

2. Enable Mute music while dictating.

When enabled, Flow mutes all audio on your default output device when you start dictating and restores your previous audio state when you stop. If audio was already muted before dictation, it stays muted. The mute only activates if audio is already playing when you begin dictating. This setting is off by default on Mac and on by default on Windows.

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

Handle audio interruptions (iOS)

On iOS, audio device changes or interruptions automatically stop dictation.

• Device changes: If AirPods connect or disconnect during dictation, Flow stops recording. Start a new dictation session after the device settles. When using the built-in microphone, software-level audio route overrides are ignored — but physical device connections (e.g., plugging in headphones) still stop recording.

• Phone calls: Incoming calls stop dictation. Restart dictation after the call ends.

• Auto-resume: After a short interruption, Flow may automatically resume recording based on your background recording timer setting in Settings → Disable Flow Session. If the interruption lasted too long, start a new session manually.

• Audio recording failure: If Flow encounters a recording error, a full-screen overlay appears with a close button (X), Dismiss, and Retry options.

• Microphone access resets: If microphone access keeps resetting when you change audio devices, see the iOS microphone article for a Shortcuts-based workaround.

Understand Flow's audio notifications (Mac/Windows)

Flow shows specific notifications when audio issues occur. Here's what each one means and how to respond:

• Microphone disconnected: Your mic disconnected mid-session. Flow shows a notification with an Insert button to recover text recorded up to that point.

• "Is your microphone muted?": Flow detected no audio. Check that your mic isn't muted or try selecting a different one in Settings → General → Microphone.

• "We couldn't hear you": Flow heard audio but couldn't transcribe speech. Speak louder or switch to a different mic.

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

Dynamic Island indicator disappears after a phone call or Siri activation (iOS)

The Dynamic Island live activity pill could disappear when an audio interruption occurred — such as an incoming phone call or activating Siri — and would not reappear once the interruption ended. This has been fixed. The indicator now stays visible through audio interruptions and correctly resumes when you return to dictating.

1. Update Wispr Flow to the latest version to receive the fix.

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 leads to missed words or errors. The built-in mic provides a more stable and reliable dictation experience.

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

Yes. On Mac, during initial setup, Flow automatically selects the built-in microphone if available, unless your MacBook lid is closed or you've already chosen a preferred mic. If you later switched to AirPods, revert to the built-in mic in Settings → General → Microphone.

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

The warning icon indicates that AirPods may cause slower start times and more transcription errors. Switch to a wired or built-in mic for best results.