---
title: Set up Monologue on Mac
description: Install Monologue, grant the required permissions, and get ready to dictate in any app.
---

This guide takes about five minutes. You are ready when the Monologue icon appears and the shortcut starts a recording.

## Install and sign in

1. Download Monologue from [monologue.to](https://monologue.to).
2. Move the app to Applications and open it.
3. Sign in, then follow the setup guide in the app.

Use the same sign-in method on every device. If you chose **Sign in with Apple** and hid your email, choose the same option on your other devices.

## Grant permissions

Monologue asks for permissions as you set it up:

| Permission       | Required?                 | Why Monologue uses it                                                                                                    |
| ---------------- | ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Microphone       | Yes                       | Records your voice while you dictate.                                                                                    |
| Accessibility    | Yes for automatic pasting | Inserts the finished text into the app you are using and listens for your chosen shortcut.                               |
| Screen Recording | Optional                  | Provides richer on-screen context when Deep Context is enabled. You can choose **Not now** and use dictation without it. |

If macOS does not show the prompt, open **System Settings → Privacy & Security**, choose the permission, and enable Monologue. Quit and reopen Monologue after changing Accessibility or Screen Recording access.

:::note[Screen Recording is optional]
Microphone and Accessibility are the core permissions for Mac dictation. Screen Recording is not required for ordinary dictation.
:::

## Choose a shortcut

The default push-to-talk shortcut is the right-side Option key. Hold it while speaking, then release it to finish.

For longer dictations, use a hands-free shortcut: tap it once to start, then tap it again to finish. Push-to-talk and hands-free bindings can be configured separately under **Monologue → Settings → Dictation**.

## Try it

1. Open a text field in Notes, Messages, Slack, or another app.
2. Hold the dictation shortcut.
3. Speak naturally.
4. Release the shortcut and wait for the text to appear.

If recording works but nothing is inserted, follow [Fix dictation and pasting](/troubleshooting/dictation-and-pasting).