Setup Wispr Flow on Android (Android Settings)

Last updated: April 30, 2026

Available on: Android

This guide walks you through setting up Wispr Flow on your Android device — granting the right permissions, enabling the keyboard, and confirming everything works. Most setups take under 3 minutes.

Quick checks

  • Is Flow installed? Download Wispr Flow from the Google Play Store before starting setup.

  • Are you signed in? Open Flow and sign in with your account before configuring system settings.

  • Is your Android version supported? Flow requires Android 10 or later. Check Settings → About phone to confirm.

How to set it up

Setup steps differ by device manufacturer. Pick your device below.

Stock Android (Pixel and others)

Follow these steps on a Pixel or any device running stock Android.

  1. Open Settings and go to System → Languages & input → On-screen keyboard.

  2. Tap Manage on-screen keyboards and toggle on Wispr Flow.

  3. Confirm the permissions prompt. Flow needs keyboard access to insert text into other apps.

  4. Return to Languages & input, tap Current keyboard, and select Wispr Flow.

  5. Open any app with a text field and tap to bring up the keyboard. Tap the mic and dictate a short phrase — if text appears in the field, setup is complete.

Samsung (One UI)

One UI uses a different settings path than stock Android.

  1. Open Settings and go to General management → Keyboard list and default.

  2. Toggle on Wispr Flow under the keyboard list.

  3. Confirm the permissions prompt to grant keyboard access.

  4. Tap Default keyboard and select Wispr Flow.

  5. Open any text field and tap the mic on the Flow keyboard. If dictated text appears, setup is complete.

Xiaomi (MIUI / HyperOS)

MIUI requires an extra permission step for keyboards to work reliably in the background.

  1. Open Settings and go to Additional settings → Languages & input → Manage keyboards.

  2. Toggle on Wispr Flow and confirm the permissions prompt.

  3. Return to Languages & input, tap Current keyboard, and select Wispr Flow.

  4. Open Settings → Apps → Manage apps → Wispr Flow → Other permissions and enable Display pop-up windows while running in the background.

  5. Open any text field and tap the mic on the Flow keyboard. If dictated text appears, setup is complete.

Warning: Skipping the background permission in Step 4 will cause Flow to disconnect when you switch apps.

Realme, Oppo, Vivo, Huawei, OnePlus, and Transsion devices

These manufacturers use aggressive battery management that can stop Flow from running in the background. Exempt Flow from battery optimization for it to work reliably.

  1. Enable the Wispr Flow keyboard using the same steps as Stock Android (Settings → Languages & input → Manage keyboards).

  2. Open Settings and go to Battery (or Battery & performance on some devices).

  3. Find the battery optimization or app management list and locate Wispr Flow.

  4. Set Wispr Flow to Unrestricted, No restrictions, or Don't optimize — the exact label varies by device.

  5. Open any text field and tap the mic on the Flow keyboard. If dictated text appears, setup is complete.

Warning: Without this step, your device may stop Flow when it runs in the background, causing it to disconnect mid-dictation or require a manual restart.

Grant microphone access

Flow needs microphone permission to transcribe your voice. The first time you tap the mic in the Flow keyboard, Android will prompt you.

  1. Tap Allow when the microphone permission dialog appears.

  2. Choose "While using the app" or "Only this time" — either works for keyboard dictation.

  3. Verify by dictating a short phrase. If text appears in the field, microphone access is working.

Note: If you accidentally tapped Deny, go to Settings → Apps → Wispr Flow → Permissions and enable Microphone manually.

Common issues

Bugs fixed in recent updates

The following issues were fixed in v1.8.4. Update Wispr Flow to the latest version from the Google Play Store to resolve any of them.

  • Style or formatting choices not applied: Changing a style or formatting setting previously required restarting Flow. Selections now apply immediately on your next dictation.

  • Recording bubble cut off: The recording bubble could appear visually clipped on some devices.

  • Onboarding incorrect on foldables: On foldable phones using the inner display, onboarding screens could display with buttons not pinned to the bottom.

  • Dictionary or Snippets list appeared empty: When reapplying a search or filter in Dictionary or Snippets, the list could incorrectly appear empty even when results existed.

FAQs

Do I need to set Flow as my default keyboard?

No. You can switch between Flow and your regular keyboard using the keyboard switcher icon in the navigation bar whenever a text field is open.

Will Flow work offline?

No. Flow requires an internet connection to transcribe audio. A weak connection may cause delays or failed transcriptions.

Why does Flow ask for keyboard permissions?

Android requires every keyboard app to request explicit permission before it can insert text into other apps. This is a system-level safeguard, not a Flow-specific requirement.

Can I use Flow with a Bluetooth headset?

Yes. Flow uses whichever microphone Android has selected as the active input. Connect your Bluetooth headset before opening the Flow keyboard.

Flow stopped working after my phone closed it in the background — do I need to reinstall?

No. As of v1.8.4, Flow automatically restarts itself when you bring it back to the foreground after the OS or your device has closed it. If accessibility permission was revoked, Flow will prompt you to re-enable it. No reinstall is needed.

Limitations and notes

  • Flow requires Android 10 or later.

  • An active internet connection is required for transcription.

  • On Xiaomi devices, the background permission must be enabled or the keyboard will disconnect when switching apps.

  • On Realme, Oppo, Vivo, Huawei, OnePlus, and Transsion devices, Flow must be exempted from battery optimization or it may stop running in the background.

Still stuck?

Reach out to support if:

  • The Flow keyboard does not appear in your keyboard list after toggling it on.

  • Dictation produces no text even after granting microphone permission.

  • You see an error not covered in this guide.

Include your device model, Android version, and the step where you got stuck. Most setup issues are resolved in one reply.