# How to install Walkie

> Download and install Walkie on macOS, Windows, or Linux, and grant the permissions it needs to type into other apps.

Download Walkie from trywalkie.com, open the installer, then grant two permissions: Microphone, so it can hear you, and Accessibility (macOS only), so it can type into other apps. Walkie 1.4.0 runs on Apple Silicon Macs, on Windows 10 and later, and on an experimental Linux build. Skipping the Accessibility permission is the most common reason a fresh install seems to do nothing.

*Category: Getting started · Last updated: 2026-09-01*

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## System requirements

| Platform | Requirement | Status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **macOS** | Apple Silicon | Supported |
| **Windows** | Windows 10 or later, x64 | Supported |
| **Linux** | x64, Wayland or X11 | Experimental — unsigned |
| **iOS** | iPhone, iOS 17 or later | On the App Store |
| **Android** | — | Coming soon |

> **Note:** The Linux build is newer and unsigned, so your desktop may warn about it. It is listed as experimental for that reason, not because it is a lesser build.

## Install on macOS

1. Download the `.dmg` from [trywalkie.com](https://trywalkie.com/#download).
   The download button picks the right file for your machine automatically.
2. Open the `.dmg` and drag Walkie into your Applications folder.
3. Launch Walkie from Applications.
   The first launch takes a moment longer while it unpacks its speech models.
4. Grant **Microphone** access when macOS asks.
   Without this, recordings are silent.
5. Grant **Accessibility** access when macOS asks.
   This is what lets Walkie type into other apps. macOS opens System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility; switch Walkie on.

> **Important:** If you skip the Accessibility permission, Walkie will record and transcribe correctly but nothing will appear in your app — the text silently goes nowhere. If that is happening, see [Dictation is not typing anything](/docs/troubleshooting/dictation-not-working).

## Install on Windows

1. Download the `.exe` installer from [trywalkie.com](https://trywalkie.com/#download).
2. Run it. If SmartScreen appears, choose **More info → Run anyway**.
   Walkie is code-signed, but a new version can take time to build reputation with SmartScreen.
3. Launch Walkie and allow **Microphone** access when Windows asks.

Windows does not have an equivalent of the macOS Accessibility permission, so there is no second prompt to grant.

## Install on Linux

Linux support is experimental. Three package formats are published, and none of them are signed.

- `.AppImage` — no install step; mark it executable and run it
- `.deb` — for Debian and Ubuntu derivatives
- `.pkg.tar.zst` — for Arch and Arch-based distributions

> **Important:** The recording overlay is disabled by default on Linux, and Wayland support is limited. On Wayland compositors such as Hyprland, bind Walkie's command-line flags to a key instead of relying on the in-app global shortcut.

Linux needs a few setup steps the other platforms do not — the pacman repository, the compositor keybinding, text injection tools, and the Omarchy bar widget. They are all in [How to set up Walkie on Linux](/docs/getting-started/walkie-on-linux).

## Install on iPhone

Walkie for iPhone is on the [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6778362541). It ships a keyboard extension, so after installing you also need to enable the Walkie keyboard.

1. Install Walkie from the App Store and open it once to sign in.
2. Go to **Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards → Add New Keyboard** and choose **Walkie**.
3. Tap **Walkie** in that list and switch on **Allow Full Access**.
   Full Access is required for cloud transcription — without it the keyboard cannot reach the network.

## Check that it works

Open any text field, hold your dictation shortcut, and say a sentence.

`Fn` — The default dictation shortcut on macOS is the **Fn (Globe)** key.

`Ctrl + Space` — On Windows and Linux the default is **Ctrl + Space**.

> **Tip:** Both defaults can be changed. See [Changing your dictation shortcut](/docs/dictation/changing-your-shortcut).

## Frequently asked questions about how to install Walkie

### Why does Walkie need Accessibility permission on macOS?

Because it types into other applications. macOS treats sending keystrokes to another app as an accessibility feature, so any tool that inserts text system-wide has to be granted it. Walkie uses it only to insert your transcribed text.

### Does Walkie run on Intel Macs?

No. The macOS build requires Apple Silicon.

### How do I update Walkie?

Walkie updates itself. When a new version is available it downloads in the background and applies on the next restart. You can also download the latest build directly from trywalkie.com if an update fails.

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Source: https://trywalkie.com/en/docs/getting-started/installing-walkie
Walkie help center: https://trywalkie.com/en/docs