Steno
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Support

Help for Steno.

Steno is a dictation app for Mac that works offline. For help, bug reports, or questions, email [email protected].

Common checks

  • Open Steno and complete the first-run setup.
  • Allow Microphone access when macOS asks.
  • Let first-run setup finish so local models are ready.
  • Try it in the "Try Steno" box: hold Fn, talk, then let go of Fn.
  • Paste from the clipboard, or open Transcript Library if clipboard saving is off.

Include this in your email

  • Mac model and macOS version.
  • Steno app version.
  • Which step failed or felt unclear.
  • Whether Microphone access is enabled.

Troubleshooting

Steno cannot record audio
Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone and make sure Steno is enabled.
Steno did not change the clipboard
Open Settings > General and make sure "Copy transcript to clipboard after dictation" is on. If it is off, Steno can still keep finished transcripts in Transcript Library when history is enabled, without changing your clipboard.
Profile Rewrite is unavailable
Keep Steno open until first-run setup finishes. The speech-to-text and Profile Rewrite models come with Steno and run on your Mac.
Clipboard contents changed
By default, Steno copies each finished transcript to the clipboard so you can paste it yourself. Turn off "Copy transcript to clipboard after dictation" in Settings if you want Steno to leave your clipboard unchanged.

Diagnostics and privacy

Open Settings > About > Diagnostics to save a troubleshooting file. It does not include your dictated text, audio, or clipboard contents.

Privacy details are available in the Steno Privacy Policy.