On Mac, dictation lives on a single key — no keyboard extension, no window switching. Hold your dictation hotkey, speak (or whisper), let go: the text pastes wherever your cursor is.
Your dictation hotkey
You picked a hotkey during setup. The options:
- fn (globe) — bottom-left key on Mac keyboards
- Right ⌥ Option — right side only; left Option keeps its normal job
- Right ⌘ Command — right side only
You can also record a shortcut of your own.
To change it: open Subtle's Settings → General → Shortcuts → Dictation shortcut.
How to dictate
- Make sure the Subtle app is running and your Voicebuds are connected. (No buds? Subtle uses your Mac's built-in mic automatically — speak at normal volume.)
- Click into any text field in any app (Mail, Notes, a browser, Slack, etc.) and confirm a blinking cursor is visible.
- Hold your hotkey. A small indicator appears so you know Subtle is listening.
- Speak naturally — with Voicebuds in, a quiet whisper works.
- Release the key. Your words paste at the cursor.
Hands-free dictation
Don't want to hold the key? Double-tap your dictation hotkey, or press Fn+Space, to start dictating; press it again to finish. You can change the hands-free shortcut in Settings → General → Shortcuts.
To paste your most recent dictation again, press ⌃⌘V (Control-Command-V).
Tips for best results
- Keep the cursor active in your target text field before holding the key — text pastes wherever the cursor is when you release.
- Hold for your whole thought — speak in full phrases, then release; don't release mid-sentence.
- Review your transcript before sending — transcription can make errors with names, acronyms, and technical terms. More in Improve dictation accuracy.
Accessibility permission
Subtle uses macOS Accessibility to insert text into other apps. If text isn't appearing, check that Subtle has been granted access: System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility → enable Subtle.
Nothing happens when you hold the key?
- Is the Subtle app running? Launch it and try again.
- No indicator when you hold? Check which hotkey is set (Settings → General → Shortcuts) — it's exact, including left vs right.
- Check macOS permissions (above), and your microphone in Settings → General → Microphone.
Something else went wrong?
- Text didn't appear: See "Dictation recorded but text didn't insert"
- Poor accuracy: See "Improve dictation accuracy"