Almost every dictation problem comes down to one of two macOS permissions. Here is how to spot which one, and fix it in under a minute.
Text is not appearing
This is the most common issue. You hold the hotkey, speak, release, and nothing types. The cause is almost always Accessibility permission: Jarvis transcribed your words but macOS blocked it from inserting them into your app.
- Open System Settings, then Privacy and Security, then Accessibility.
- Find Jarvis in the list and turn it on. If it is not there, add it with the plus button.
- Quit and reopen Jarvis, then try again.
Microphone not detected
If Jarvis cannot hear you, grant Microphone access. If you tapped Do Not Allow once, the toggle is now in System Settings.
- Open System Settings, then Privacy and Security, then Microphone.
- Turn Jarvis on.
It hears me but transcription is off
Jarvis transcribes on-device by default using a local model. If accuracy is low, try a larger local model in settings. Everything stays on your Mac.