Mac dictation

Use Aria’s hotkey to type speech into an app. Complete installation and setup, then open Aria from Applications. It appears in the menu bar. Set Up Aria… reopens setup if you need it.

Permissions

Aria needs two permissions:

• Microphone to hear you. Allow access when macOS asks. If you previously denied it, check System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone for the app or executable named in the request.
• Accessibility to read the hotkey and type into other apps. In System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility, click + and choose /Applications/Aria.app/Contents/Helpers/aria. Use ⌘⇧G in the file picker to enter that path.

Try it

1. Open an empty document in a text editor and click where you want the text.
2. Tap right Option (⌥), say a short sentence, then tap it again to stop.
3. Keep that app and text field focused until processing finishes.

Recognized words appear as segments become ready.

Tap or hold

Tap the key to start and tap again to stop. You can also hold it to record; recording starts half a second into the hold, and releasing the key stops it. Change the key to Fn under Settings → Shortcuts if you prefer.

Other keyboard or mouse input while you hold the key can cancel the recording.

Captions

Enable Show Captions in Aria’s menu to display recognized text while recording. With this option on, Aria types the completed transcript after you stop. With it off, Aria types finalized segments while you speak.

If output is set to copy, paste the transcript after recording; copying always uses the completed text. Output choices are under Settings → Dictation.

Keep Aria running

Dictation needs Aria’s background service. Opening the app starts it; choosing Quit Aria stops it until you open the app again. Keep Aria allowed under System Settings → General → Login Items → Allow in the Background.

You can enable Launch at login under Settings → General.

Once dictation works, you can correct project names or review its history.