When Typeless is not working on a Mac, its troubleshooting help points first to macOS permissions: Typeless needs Accessibility to insert text and use the Fn key, and Microphone to hear you, and if either is misbehaving it says to toggle the permission off and on. After that come the "Microphone unavailable" error, a key that macOS has assigned to something else, and an out-of-date app. Typeless transcribes in the cloud, so check your connection and its status page too, without assuming an outage.
Every fix below comes from Typeless's help centre, checked 3 October 2026. Mac permission paths follow Typeless's own steps and Apple's macOS 27 user guide; if your screen differs, search System Settings for "Privacy".
Which symptom matches yours?
| Symptom | Cause Typeless gives | Fix Typeless gives |
|---|---|---|
| Typeless is not hearing you or not inserting text | Permissions need to be toggled off and on | System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility: toggle Typeless on; Privacy & Security → Microphone: make sure Typeless is on (permission article) |
| "Microphone unavailable" | Microphone blocked by macOS, by security or device-management settings, in use by another app, or not working | Update Typeless; allow it under Privacy & Security → Microphone, then quit with Cmd-Q and reopen (microphone article) |
| Microphone available but nothing is picked up | Wrong device selected | In Typeless: Settings → Audio → Microphone, pick the mic and watch the blue bar move. In macOS: System Settings → Sound → Input, check the level meter and input volume |
| Mic still unavailable | Other apps hold the mic, or a hardware or USB problem | Close meeting, recording and browser voice tools; plug a USB mic straight into the Mac, reconnect it, or try another port; restart the Mac |
| Mic blocked on a work Mac | IT policy or security software | Ask your IT administrator whether Typeless is blocked |
| The Fn key (or your chosen key) does nothing | The key is tied to another system action | System Settings → Keyboard: find shortcuts or functions assigned to that key and disable or reassign them (conflicts article) |
| Typeless will not insert text after setup | Accessibility was not granted during setup | Turn it on in Privacy & Security → Accessibility; if Typeless is missing, click Add (+), choose it from Applications and click Open (setup guide) |
| No Microphone prompt appears | macOS dialog was not triggered | Return to Typeless and repeat the permission step; click Quit & Reopen if macOS asks |
| You lost a transcript | The card was closed or not copied | Open History in the app. Typeless stores transcripts on your device for your Keep History period (missing transcript article) |
| Recording stops near nine minutes | Each dictation is limited to 9 minutes, with a countdown from 8 | Typeless saves what you said to History; start a new dictation (limit article) |
| Problems after a while | Outdated app | Click Check for updates at the bottom of the Home screen, or from the Typeless menu-bar icon (updates article) |
How do you check Typeless's Mac permissions?
Typeless's setup guide says it needs two system permissions on a Mac: Accessibility, so it can paste text into any text field, and Microphone, for voice dictation. Its FAQ adds that Accessibility also lets you trigger dictation with the Fn key.
- Choose Apple menu → System Settings, then click Privacy & Security.
- Click Accessibility and turn Typeless on. If it is already on, toggle it off and on. Apple's Accessibility access page describes the Add button for apps that are not listed.
- Click Microphone and make sure Typeless is on. Apple's microphone access page explains this list. Typeless notes that on macOS 12 Monterey and earlier the path is System Preferences → Security & Privacy → Privacy → Microphone.
- Quit Typeless completely with Cmd-Q and reopen it.
What does Typeless need online?
Transcription. Typeless's Data Controls page says: "Transcription is performed on the cloud to ensure the highest accuracy and low-latency performance." Typeless's pages we checked do not describe an offline mode, so if dictation fails, confirm your internet connection first. On a work network, ask IT whether the service is reachable.
Is Typeless down?
Typeless links a status page in its site footer. Look there before changing settings. If it shows nothing and the steps above have not helped, report it: Typeless's feedback article says to use Give feedback on the Typeless home screen, or flag a specific transcript in History. For the "Microphone unavailable" error, Typeless asks you to email [email protected] with your Typeless and macOS versions, whether the Mac is personal or work-managed, the microphone type, any security software installed, and a screenshot.
If it is Apple's built-in Dictation that is failing rather than Typeless, see Mac Dictation not working.
If you want to try something else
Publisher note: SuprFlow publishes this guide and is one of the products discussed. Competitor details come from each company's own pages, checked on 3 October 2026. Prices and features change; confirm before you buy.
Permissions and microphone choice affect every dictation app, so fix those first.
- Apple Dictation is free and built in. How to use voice to text on a Mac shows how.
- SuprFlow runs speech recognition on the Mac with an on-device model, so dictation itself does not wait on a cloud service. It costs $125 for lifetime access on up to five Macs you own, with a 7-day refund on a first purchase and no free trial. It is the wrong choice if you rely on Typeless's translation or rewriting, or use it on Windows, Linux, iPhone or Android. SuprFlow vs Typeless compares them.
Questions people ask
What permissions does Typeless need on a Mac?
Accessibility, to insert text and trigger dictation with the Fn key, and Microphone, to capture your voice. Both are under System Settings → Privacy & Security.
Why does Typeless say Microphone unavailable?
Typeless says the app cannot reach your microphone: macOS or security software is blocking it, another app is using it, or the selected microphone is not working. Check the permission, the selected mic, and other apps using audio.
Does Typeless work offline?
Typeless says transcription is performed in the cloud, and its pages do not describe an offline mode.
Why isn't the Fn key starting Typeless?
Typeless says the key may be tied to another system action. Check System Settings → Keyboard for anything assigned to it, and confirm Accessibility is on.
Related guides
- Is Typeless safe?
- Mac Dictation not working
- Why Bluetooth headsets hurt dictation quality
- How to cancel Typeless
- Typeless alternatives for Mac
- SuprFlow vs Typeless
Sources
- Typeless Help Center — Troubleshooting
- Typeless Help Center — How do I resolve permission issues?
- Typeless Help Center — How do I resolve the "Microphone unavailable" error?
- Typeless Help Center — How do I clear conflicts in system settings?
- Typeless Help Center — Where did my transcript go?
- Typeless Help Center — How long can I dictate for?
- Typeless Help Center — How to check for updates?
- Typeless Help Center — How can I give feedback?
- Typeless Help Center — Install and set up Typeless on macOS
- Typeless Help Center — FAQs
- Typeless — Data Controls
- Typeless — Status
- Apple — Control access to the microphone on Mac
- Apple — Allow accessibility apps to access your Mac