Getting Started

Learn how to install and use LocalWhisper for voice-to-text transcription.

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 ⌥ + Space (or your configured hotkey) to start recording
  2. Speak naturally into your microphone
  3. Press ⌥ + Space to stop recording and 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 by clicking the macOS menu bar icon and selecting Settings.

Settings tabs:

  • General: Overview of your configuration (hotkey, model, microphone, theme)
  • Audio: Microphone selection and audio input settings
  • Model: Select and download Whisper models
  • Hotkey: Change the push-to-talk shortcut
  • Output: Configure how transcribed text is inserted
  • History: Enable/disable local transcription history
  • Appearance: Theme and visual preferences
  • Licensing: Manage your license key
  • About: Version info and links

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

Need assistance? Visit our Contact & Support page.