Getting Started

Last updated: January 2026

System Requirements

  • macOS 11.0 (Big Sur) or later
  • Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) or Intel Mac
  • 4GB RAM minimum (8GB recommended for larger models)

Apple Silicon Macs get hardware acceleration via Metal for faster transcription.

Installation

  1. Download LocalWhisper from our website
  2. Open the downloaded .dmg file
  3. Drag LocalWhisper to your Applications folder
  4. Launch LocalWhisper from Applications

On first launch, LocalWhisper will download the Whisper AI model from HuggingFace. This is a one-time download, after which the app works completely offline.

Quick Start

Push-to-Talk Recording

  1. Press fn+Space (or your configured hotkey) to start recording
  2. Speak naturally into your microphone
  3. Release to transcribe
  4. Text appears at your cursor instantly

LocalWhisper works system-wide in any application, including email, code editors, chat apps, and documents.

File Transcription

  1. Click the LocalWhisper menu bar icon
  2. Select Import Audio File
  3. Choose any audio file (MP3, WAV, M4A, etc.)
  4. Transcription begins automatically

File transcription supports audio files of any length, perfect for meetings, podcasts, and audiobooks.

LocalWhisper lives in your Mac’s menu bar. Click the icon to access:

  • Recording controls
  • Import audio files
  • Transcription history
  • Settings and preferences
  • Model selection

Transcription History

LocalWhisper optionally saves your transcription history locally on your device. History is encrypted and searchable.

To access history:

  1. Click the menu bar icon
  2. Select History
  3. Use the search bar to find past transcriptions

Settings

Access settings from the menu bar icon or use Cmd + ,.

Key settings include:

  • Hotkey: Change the push-to-talk shortcut
  • Model: Select which Whisper model to use
  • Language: Set a specific language or use auto-detect
  • History: Enable/disable local transcription history

Tips for Best Results

  • Speak clearly at a natural pace
  • Minimize background noise when possible
  • Use a quality microphone for best accuracy
  • Try different models to find your ideal speed/accuracy balance

Getting Help

If you need assistance, email us at [email protected].