Download and open Voixe
Install the notarized Mac app, move it to Applications, then launch it. Voixe lives in the menu bar after it opens.
macOS documentation
Use Voixe from the menu bar, in every app.
Install Voixe, grant microphone and accessibility permissions, pick a local speech model, then use a hotkey to speak text directly into the app that already has focus.
Current focus
macOS menu bar dictation
- On-device transcription with Parakeet or Whisper
- Press-and-hold and double-tap hotkey modes
- Auto-paste, review, copy, and history workflows
First successful dictation
Grant required permissions
Allow microphone access for recording and Accessibility access so Voixe can paste text into the active app.
Pick a model
The default Parakeet model is multilingual and fast on Apple Silicon. Whisper models are available when you prefer that engine.
Hold your hotkey
Place your cursor in any text field, hold the configured hotkey, speak, then release. Voixe transcribes and inserts the text.
Install Voixe on macOS
System requirements
Voixe is built for macOS 14 or newer. Local transcription performs best on Apple Silicon Macs because the models run through Core ML.
Install steps
- Download the latest DMG from the Voixe website.
- Open the DMG and move Voixe into Applications.
- Launch Voixe and keep it running from the menu bar.
- Complete the permission prompts before your first recording.
Allow recording and text insertion
Microphone
Required for recording your voice. If Voixe cannot hear you, open System Settings, go to Privacy & Security, then Microphone, and enable Voixe.
Accessibility
Required for app-wide hotkeys and pasting into the focused text field. Enable Voixe in Privacy & Security, then Accessibility.
If macOS keeps asking during development builds, use a properly signed app build. Debug signing can affect whether TCC remembers permission choices.
Choose how recording starts and stops
Press and hold
Hold the configured shortcut to record, then release it to stop. This mode is the fastest path for dictating into Slack, Mail, Notes, browsers, editors, and any app with a cursor.
Double tap
Double-tap the configured shortcut when you want recording to continue without holding keys down. Use Escape to cancel after recording has started.
Modifier-only shortcuts
Modifier-only shortcuts such as Option use a short activation threshold to avoid accidental recordings while you trigger normal macOS shortcuts.
Run speech-to-text locally
Parakeet TDT v3
Default multilingual model via FluidAudio. Good balance of speed and accuracy.
Whisper Small
Compact WhisperKit option for lighter local transcription.
Whisper Medium
Stronger WhisperKit accuracy with a larger local model.
Whisper Large v3
Highest curated Whisper option when accuracy matters more than size.
Models are downloaded to local application support or cache folders. Voixe checks model availability from the app-managed locations rather than requiring a cloud account.
Configure Voixe by task
General
Manage startup behavior, sound feedback, appearance, and other everyday preferences.
Transcription
Select language, microphone, model, and download state. The model list is intentionally compact instead of a large dropdown.
Refine and transforms
Use refinement settings and word remappings to clean up frequent transcript patterns before text lands in your destination app.
History
Review recent transcripts when history is enabled, then copy or reuse the text as needed.
Fix common setup issues
Voixe records but does not paste text
Check Accessibility permission for Voixe, confirm your cursor is in a writable text field, and try copying the last transcript from the menu bar to confirm transcription completed.
The microphone prompt keeps appearing
Open System Settings and enable Voixe under Microphone. If you are running a development build, use a signed build so macOS can remember the permission.
Parakeet is not detected after download
Download or import the model from inside Voixe so it lands in the app-managed cache path that the sandbox can read.
A hotkey starts recording accidentally
Try a regular key combination instead of a modifier-only shortcut, or increase the minimum key time in Settings.
Stay current
Voixe updates through Sparkle
The app checks the first-party update feed and downloads signed releases from Voixe's download host. You can also download the latest version directly from the website.