Beginner

Getting Started with Wispr Flow

Download, install, and configure Wispr Flow. You will go from zero to your first AI-powered dictation in minutes.

Step 1: Download and Install

Getting Wispr Flow on your machine is straightforward:

  1. Visit the Wispr Flow Website

    Go to wispr.com and click the download button for your operating system (macOS or Windows).

  2. Install the Application

    On macOS, drag the app to your Applications folder. On Windows, run the installer and follow the prompts. Wispr Flow installs as a lightweight background application.

  3. Grant Permissions

    Wispr Flow needs accessibility and microphone permissions to work system-wide. The app will guide you through granting these permissions on first launch.

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Why accessibility permissions? Wispr Flow needs to type text into any application on your behalf. Accessibility permissions allow it to insert text into the currently focused text field, regardless of which app you are using.

Step 2: Account Setup

After installation, create your Wispr Flow account:

  • Sign up with your email or Google account
  • Choose your plan (free tier available with generous limits)
  • Complete the brief onboarding tutorial

Step 3: Configure Your Microphone

Good audio input is essential for accurate dictation. Wispr Flow works with any microphone, but quality matters:

Microphone Type Quality Best For
Built-in laptop mic Decent Quick dictation in quiet environments
AirPods / earbuds Good Everyday use, reduces background noise
USB headset Very good Extended dictation sessions
Dedicated USB mic Excellent Professional dictation, noisy environments

To select your microphone in Wispr Flow, click the menu bar icon and navigate to Settings > Audio Input. Test your microphone to ensure it picks up your voice clearly.

Step 4: Your First Dictation

Now for the exciting part — your first AI-powered dictation:

  1. Open Any Text Field

    Click into any text input — a browser search bar, a document, an email compose window, a code editor, anything.

  2. Activate Wispr Flow

    Press the keyboard shortcut (default: hold the Fn key on Mac, or your configured hotkey). You will see the Wispr Flow overlay appear, indicating it is listening.

  3. Speak Naturally

    Just talk. Do not worry about saying "period" or "comma" — the AI handles punctuation automatically. Speak in full sentences as you would to a colleague.

  4. Release to Insert

    When you release the activation key, Wispr Flow processes your speech and inserts the formatted text into your active text field.

Example: What You Say vs. What Appears 
What you say:
"hey Sarah I wanted to follow up on our meeting
yesterday can we schedule a call for next Tuesday
afternoon to discuss the project timeline"

What Wispr Flow types:
Hey Sarah,

I wanted to follow up on our meeting yesterday.
Can we schedule a call for next Tuesday afternoon
to discuss the project timeline?

Understanding the Overlay UI

When Wispr Flow is active, you will see a small overlay that provides real-time feedback:

  • Listening indicator: A pulsing animation shows that Wispr Flow is actively listening to your voice
  • Waveform display: Visual feedback of your audio input level
  • Processing indicator: A brief animation when your speech is being processed by the AI
  • Status icons: Show connection status, selected mode, and any errors

Essential Keyboard Shortcuts

Master these shortcuts to use Wispr Flow efficiently:

Action macOS Windows
Start/stop dictation Hold Fn Hold configured hotkey
Cancel dictation Esc Esc
Open settings Click menu bar icon Click system tray icon
Toggle AI mode Double-tap Fn Double-tap hotkey

Basic Voice Commands

Beyond simple dictation, you can use these basic voice commands:

  • "New line" — Insert a line break
  • "New paragraph" — Insert a paragraph break
  • "Undo that" — Remove the last dictated text
  • "Select all" — Select all text in the current field
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Pro tip: You do not need to use commands for punctuation. Wispr Flow's AI automatically inserts periods, commas, question marks, and other punctuation based on your speech patterns and intonation. Just speak naturally.

💡 Try It: Your First Dictation

Install Wispr Flow and try dictating a short email. Speak naturally for 30 seconds and observe how the AI formats your text. Notice how punctuation and capitalization are handled automatically.

How did it go? Note any differences between what you said and what appeared. The AI improves with use as it learns your speech patterns.