Can I minimise Scribe while transcribing?

Yes. You can minimise the Scribe window during a recording or transcription session. Avoid muting system audio entirely if you are transcribing external media, as this may interrupt the transcription.

Scribe says it does not have permission to use the microphone — what do I do?

Open macOS System Settings, go to Privacy & Security, then Microphone, and ensure Sensory Scribe is listed and enabled. Also check that Speech Recognition permission is granted in the same section.

Tips & Troubleshooting | Sensory Scribe for Mac Help

Q: The transcript is not appearing — what should I check?

Ensure Microphone and Speech Recognition permissions are both granted in macOS System Settings → Privacy & Security. If using an external microphone, check it is selected as the input device in System Settings → Sound.

System requirements

macOS (Writing Tools features require macOS Sequoia 15 or later)
Microphone — built-in or external USB/Bluetooth
Microphone permission granted in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone
Speech Recognition permission granted in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Speech Recognition
No internet connection required for recording or transcription

Tips for best results

Use an external microphone when possible, particularly for recording speakers at a distance in lectures or meetings.
Sit close to speakers for best transcription accuracy in group settings.
Keep system audio on when transcribing external media — Scribe captures the audio output. Muting may interrupt transcription; a low volume will not.
Back up regularly — Scribe recordings are compatible with Time Machine and iCloud Drive.

Troubleshooting

Scribe does not have microphone access

Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone and ensure Sensory Scribe is listed and enabled. If it does not appear, try launching Scribe first — macOS will prompt you to grant permission on first use.

The transcript is not appearing

Check both Microphone and Speech Recognition permissions are enabled in System Settings → Privacy & Security. If using an external microphone, check it is selected as the input device in System Settings → Sound → Input.

Writing Tools does not appear in the right-click menu

Writing Tools requires macOS Sequoia (15) or later. Check your macOS version in System Settings → General → About. If your Mac supports it, an update to macOS Sequoia will add Writing Tools.

Transcription accuracy is poor

Move closer to the sound source, use an external microphone, and speak clearly. Background noise significantly affects transcription accuracy. macOS Speech Recognition improves with language usage — ensure the correct language is set in System Settings → General → Language & Region.

Tips & Troubleshooting