Setup Guide · Wispr Flow

Stop Typing.
Start Talking.

By Dan Donovan, @askdandonovan

The average person types 60 words a minute. Wispr users dictate at 150. This guide sets up Wispr Flow so you can work at the speed your brain actually moves, dictating into Claude, email, Slack, and everywhere else you type.

4 Steps
~5 min Setup time
2 weeks free No credit card needed
Mac · Win · iOS · Android Platforms
2 weeks free, no credit card needed.
Both links go to the same trial at the same price. If you sign up through mine and later subscribe, Wispr pays me a small commission. It doesn't cost you anything extra. Use whichever feels right.
Try it free (my link)
affiliate, same price for you
wisprflow.ai
direct, no commission

Wispr Flow is a voice dictation app for Mac, Windows, iPhone, and Android that converts your speech into clean, edited text, in real time, in any app you're already using. You hold a key, talk, release. Filler words and corrections are removed automatically. What comes out is ready to send.

What you'll have after this
Dictation in any app
Claude, Gmail, Slack, Notion, anywhere you can type
Real-time speech cleanup
Filler words, mid-sentence corrections, and "um"s removed automatically
Whisper mode
Full accuracy at low volume: meetings, open offices, public spaces
Mobile dictation
iPhone (iOS 18.3+) and Android, same experience, no extra setup
Before you start: You'll need a Mac (macOS 12 Monterey or later), a Windows 10/11 PC, an iPhone (iOS 18.3 or later), or an Android phone (Android 13 or later). A built-in microphone works fine. An external mic improves accuracy but isn't required. Use the link below for a 2-week free trial, no credit card required.
1

Download Wispr Flow

Go to wisprflow.ai and click Download, available for Mac, Windows, iPhone (App Store), and Android (Google Play). Use the link below for a 2-week free trial, no credit card required.

Both links go to the same free trial at the same price. If you sign up through mine and later subscribe, Wispr pays me a small commission. Nothing extra comes out of your pocket.

Try it free (my link)
affiliate, same price for you
wisprflow.ai
direct, no commission

iPhone or Android: Search "Wispr Flow" in the App Store or Google Play instead of downloading a file. Sign in with the same account and your subscription covers all your devices.
2

Install and sign in

On Mac: Open the downloaded file. When the installer window appears, drag Wispr Flow into your Applications folder, then open it from Applications or Launchpad.

On Windows: Run the downloaded installer. Wispr installs to your user folder and launches automatically when finished.

Sign in with the same account you used to sign up. Wispr will appear in your menu bar (Mac) or system tray (Windows) once it's running.

Mac security prompt? If macOS says it "can't verify the developer," go to System Settings → Privacy & Security and click Open Anyway. This is standard for apps downloaded outside the App Store.
3

Grant the permissions

Wispr will walk you through permission prompts on first open. Two are required; one is optional but recommended.

  • 🎙️
    Microphone access
    So Wispr can hear you when you hold your activation key. Click Allow when prompted.
  • ⌨️
    Accessibility access
    So Wispr can type into whatever app you have open, exactly like a keyboard does. Approve in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility.
  • 🖥️
    Screen capture access optional
    Lets Wispr read the context of what's on screen to improve transcription accuracy. Useful if you dictate into Claude or email. It helps Wispr understand what you're responding to.
4

Set your activation shortcut

Wispr works by holding a key while you speak. The moment you release it, your cleaned-up text appears wherever your cursor is. The default shortcut on Mac is:

fn hold to speak, release to insert

On Windows, the default is configurable during setup. Most people keep whatever Wispr suggests. If you want to change it, go to the Wispr menu bar icon → Settings → General → Shortcuts and click the binding to reassign it.

Hands-free mode: Double-tap your shortcut instead of holding it to start and stop dictation without keeping the key held. Useful for longer passages.
You're set up. Open any app, click into a text field, hold your shortcut key, and start talking. Wispr runs quietly in the menu bar whenever your Mac is on.

Try these in Claude first

Open claude.ai, click into the message box, hold your shortcut key, and say one of these out loud. Each one would take 20 to 30 seconds to type. You'll feel the difference immediately.

Prompt to dictate: Client follow-up
Write a short follow-up email to a client who didn't respond to my proposal last week. Keep it warm, not pushy, and just ask if they have any questions or want to jump on a call.
Prompt to dictate: Content brainstorm
Give me five ideas for short videos I could make about AI tools for small business owners. I want topics that are practical and specific, not generic stuff about how AI is changing the world.
Prompt to dictate: Meeting debrief
I just got off a call with a potential client. They're a 10-person professional services firm, they're overwhelmed with admin work, and they're interested in AI automation but don't know where to start. Help me think through what I should send them as a follow-up.
Prompt to dictate: Daily planning
Help me prioritise my day. I have a client call at two, a proposal due by end of day, three emails I need to reply to, and I want to record one short video. What order should I tackle these in and roughly how long should I block for each?
Whisper mode: Once you've tried it at normal volume, speak quietly, almost a murmur. It still transcribes accurately. That's what makes it usable in meetings, on trains, and in open offices.