System Requirements
- macOS 14 Sonoma or later
- Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4 or later)
- ~1.5 GB free disk space for the AI model download
- Microphone access permission
- Accessibility permission (for auto-paste into apps)
Installation Guide
- Download the DMG file by clicking the download button above. The file is approximately 7.5 MB — the AI model downloads separately on first launch.
- Open the DMG and drag MetaWhisp to your Applications folder. This is the standard macOS installation method.
- Launch MetaWhisp from your Applications folder. Since the app is not from the Mac App Store, macOS Gatekeeper may block it on first launch.
- Bypass Gatekeeper: Right-click (or Control-click) on MetaWhisp in Applications and select "Open" from the context menu. Click "Open" in the dialog that appears. You only need to do this once.
- Grant permissions when prompted. MetaWhisp needs Microphone access (to hear you) and Accessibility access (to paste text into your active app). Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security to manage these.
- Start transcribing! Press the Right Option key (⌥) from anywhere on your Mac. The AI model will download on first use (~1.5 GB), then you're ready to go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MetaWhisp really free?
Yes. The core transcription engine is completely free. AI post-processing features (grammar correction, rewriting, translation) require your own OpenAI API key.
Does it work on Intel Macs?
No. MetaWhisp requires Apple Silicon (M1 or later) for the Neural Engine that powers on-device transcription.
Do I need an internet connection?
Only for the initial AI model download (~1.5 GB). After that, transcription works entirely offline. An internet connection is only needed if you use the optional AI post-processing features.