Setup Wispr Flow on Android (Android Settings)
Last updated: September 19, 2026
Available on: Android 13 or later, on a device with an accelerometer. Internet access is required for transcription.
Flow uses a floating bubble above your existing keyboard. Keep your usual keyboard; grant the permissions below so Flow can appear over your apps, record your voice, and insert text.
Complete the core setup
Install and sign in. Download Wispr Flow from Google Play. Open it, sign in with Google, Apple, Microsoft, or SSO, and tap Open Wispr Flow on the browser confirmation page.
Allow Display Over Other Apps. Tap Go to Settings and enable the overlay permission. Flow detects the change and returns to the foreground.
Enable Accessibility Service. Tap Open settings, read the disclosure, and select Agree. In Android Accessibility Settings, enable Wispr Flow’s main service toggle. Samsung lists it under Installed apps; other phones may use Downloaded apps or list Flow directly.
Choose your privacy preference. Select Improve the model for everyone or Don’t share data. This controls whether audio, transcripts, and edits may help improve Wispr’s AI models.
Allow Microphone. Android asks on your first bubble tap. Choose While using the app or Only this time. If previously denied, enable it under Settings → Apps → Wispr Flow → Permissions.
Allow background running. Follow Flow’s battery prompts and your manufacturer’s steps below. Some onboarding screens let you skip this, but your phone may then stop Flow in the background.
Finish any remaining prompts. Follow the Picture-in-Picture guide if shown; unsupported devices open system Settings instead. Notifications are recommended for permission changes, limits, and account alerts.
Turn on the accessibility service, not the accessibility shortcut. Keep the shortcut disabled. Choosing Not now on the disclosure allows onboarding to continue, but Flow cannot insert text until you grant accessibility later.
Finish onboarding before testing the bubble. Onboarding belongs to the signed-in account, so another account on the same device must complete it separately.
Keep Flow running on your phone
Complete the core permissions first, then follow the row for your manufacturer. Flow opens the relevant system pages when additional setup is needed.
| Phone | Additional settings |
|---|---|
| Pixel / stock Android | Set Settings → Apps → Wispr Flow → Battery → Unrestricted. No extra manufacturer-specific setup is needed. |
| Samsung | Under Settings → Battery → Background usage limits, add Flow to Never sleeping apps and disable Put unused apps to sleep. Set Flow’s app battery usage to Unrestricted. |
| Xiaomi / Redmi / POCO | Enable Autostart under Settings → Apps → Manage apps → Wispr Flow. Set Flow’s Battery saver → No restrictions. Lock Flow in Recent Apps by swiping down on its card. |
| Huawei / Honor | Open Settings → Apps → App launch → Wispr Flow, choose Manage manually, and enable Auto-launch, Secondary launch, and Run in background. Set battery optimization to Don’t allow. |
| Oppo | Open Settings → App Management → App List → Wispr Flow. Enable Allow Auto-Launch and Allow Background Activity. Disable power saving or add Flow to its exceptions. |
| OnePlus | Enable App Auto-Launch, set battery optimization to Don’t optimize, and lock Flow in Recent Apps. |
| Motorola / Lenovo | Set battery optimization to Don’t optimize and lock Flow in Recent Apps. |
| Tecno / Infinix / itel | Enable Flow under Settings → Security → Permissions → Autostart, set battery optimization to Don’t optimize, and lock Flow in Recent Apps. |
| Realme | Enable Auto Launch and Allow Background Activity; set battery optimization to Not optimized. |
| Vivo | Enable Flow under Settings → More Settings → Applications → Autostart, grant the battery exemption when prompted, and lock Flow in Recent Apps. |
On Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO, both Autostart and No restrictions are required. Skipping either can disconnect Flow when you switch apps.
Test the setup
Open a notes app and focus a normal text field. The bubble should appear above the keyboard.
Tap the bubble, or long-press for push-to-talk, and dictate a short phrase.
Check that the text appears. If the app requires manual insertion, use the copied text to paste it.
Do not test in a password, numeric, or phone-number field, or in a banking app: the bubble is intentionally unavailable there. For the next steps, see Starting your first dictation on Android.
If setup gets stuck
Sign-in did not return: tap Open Wispr Flow on the confirmation page. On a Finish signing in screen, choose Try again or cancel and restart sign-in.
Permission warning: use the actionable card on Flow’s Home screen. See restore Android accessibility for recovery icons and steps.
Bubble missing: check whether it is snoozed or disabled, then follow Flow Bubble troubleshooting.
To manage notifications later, open Settings → Apps → Wispr Flow → Notifications. Android requires a persistent Voice ready status notification while the background service runs.
If setup still fails, contact support with your device model, Android version, and the exact step or error.