NotchPadStart with the note you want to keep
- Start your NotchPad trial or activate Pro, then open an editable note in the workspace or widget.
- Place the insertion point where your words should go and click the microphone.
- Choose your language on first use. Download the on-device language if prompted; progress appears when Apple provides it.
- Allow microphone access when macOS asks. The macOS 15 fallback also asks for Speech Recognition permission.
- Speak. The waveform, timer and Stop control show that the microphone is active. Click Stop when you are done, then review the text.
Change your language whenever you need
Open Settings → Dictation → Language. You can find the same setting with Command-K. Language support depends on your Mac and macOS version; Apple may need to download a language before the first session.
Which Macs support it?
NotchPad supports Apple silicon Macs running macOS 15 or later. Dictation uses Apple Speech on macOS 26 or later, with an on-device speech-recognition fallback on macOS 15 when the selected language is supported. It does not require Apple Intelligence or another app. Dictation is included in the 14-day NotchPad trial and Pro.
What works well as a spoken note?
- A thought you want to keep before opening another app.
- A rough outline for a reply or document.
- A list of follow-ups after a call.
- A spoken explanation you want to turn into a checklist.
Treat the transcript as a draft
Check names, dates, amounts and technical terms before sharing. Live text can change as recognition improves. Your transcript stays editable, so you can correct it and apply the same headings, tables and checklists as any other note.
Your voice stays on your Mac
Dictation uses on-device recognition and does not save an audio recording. The resulting text is stored in your note. If you later share that note through an AI Connection, the connected app may send shared text to its provider under its own settings.
What changed from the NotchLive handoff?
Earlier NotchPad versions opened NotchLive for voice notes. NotchPad 1.9.3 replaces that handoff with built-in dictation. NotchLive remains a separate app for live captions and meeting transcripts; its license is not required to dictate into NotchPad.
Apple silicon Mac · macOS 15+ · No notch required. 14-day free trial. Pro is $9.99 once for up to 3 Macs.