Dictation Indicator for Mac
You talked for five minutes. Then you realized it wasn't recording.
Your dictation app's indicator is easy to miss. Dictation Indicator puts a red border around your screen while you dictate, so you always know it's recording.
Coming soon to the Mac App Store
The recording indicator you can't miss
Dictation apps like Superwhisper show a small recording indicator. You start talking, look away, and can't tell whether it is still recording. Or you think it is recording, and it isn't. Dictation Indicator makes the whole screen tell you.
It works as a recording indicator for Superwhisper, Wispr Flow, MacWhisper, VoiceInk and Apple Dictation, and for any other app you add.
How Dictation Indicator works
It reacts to the microphone
When your dictation app starts recording, the border appears within about 0.1 seconds. When recording stops, it fades away.
No shortcut to set up
It does not read the keyboard, so it works however you start recording: a shortcut, a click or push-to-talk. It stays correct when you cancel with Esc.
No permissions
It never records or listens to audio, so macOS never asks for microphone access. It only checks which apps are recording.
Only dictation
By default only your dictation apps trigger it, so a Zoom call or a screen recording does not light it up.
Works with Superwhisper, Wispr Flow and more
- Superwhisper
- Wispr Flow
- MacWhisper
- VoiceInk
- Apple Dictation
Using something else? Add any app in one click from the list of apps that recently used the microphone. Or show the border whenever any app uses the microphone.
Make the border yours
- Glow, which fades inward, or Solid
- Any color: eight presets plus a full color picker
- Width from 2 to 40 pt, opacity from 20 to 100%, corners from 0 to 40 pt
- An optional pulse while recording
- On the main display, or on all displays
- Hidden from screenshots and screen recordings by default
- On top of everything, including full-screen apps, and clicks pass straight through
- Every change previews live on screen
Private by design
No account, no analytics, no network access. Nothing leaves your Mac. Read the privacy policy.
Requirements
- macOS 14 Sonoma or later
- A Mac with Apple Silicon
Always know when you're dictating
A border around your screen while you dictate. Nothing to set up.
Coming soon to the Mac App Store
Frequently asked questions
Does it work with Superwhisper?
Yes. Superwhisper is built in. When Superwhisper starts recording, the border appears around your screen, and it fades away when recording stops.
Does it work with Wispr Flow, MacWhisper or VoiceInk?
Yes. Superwhisper, Wispr Flow, MacWhisper, VoiceInk and Apple Dictation are built in. Any other app can be added in one click from the list of apps that recently used the microphone.
Do I need to set up a keyboard shortcut?
No. Dictation Indicator does not read the keyboard. It reacts to the microphone, so it works however you start recording: a shortcut, a click or push-to-talk. It stays correct when you cancel with Esc or the dictation app stops on its own.
Does it need microphone access or other permissions?
No. It never records or listens to audio, so macOS never asks for microphone access. It only checks which apps are using the microphone.
Will it light up during Zoom calls or screen recordings?
Not by default. Only the dictation apps on your list trigger the border. If you want, you can switch to showing it whenever any app uses the microphone.
Will the border show up in my screenshots and screen recordings?
No, not by default. The border is hidden from screenshots and screen recordings, so it does not appear in videos you record. You can change this in Settings.
Does it work in full-screen apps and with several displays?
Yes. The border sits on top of everything, including full-screen apps, and clicks pass straight through it. It shows on the main display by default, or on all displays if you choose.
Can I change how the border looks?
Yes. Choose Glow or Solid, any color, a width from 2 to 40 pt, opacity from 20 to 100% and corner radius from 0 to 40 pt. You can also turn on a pulse while recording. Changes preview live on screen.
Does it collect any data?
No. There is no account, no analytics and no network access. Nothing leaves your Mac.
What do I need to run it?
A Mac with Apple Silicon running macOS 14 Sonoma or later. Intel Macs are not supported yet.
When can I get it, and how much does it cost?
Dictation Indicator is coming soon to the Mac App Store. The price has not been announced yet.