How to set up HoldSay on Mac or Windows

Install HoldSay and verify your first dictation.

Set up HoldSay to dictate into your current app, record conversations, transcribe existing files, and create summaries from finished transcripts.

HoldSay is a local desktop app for Mac and Windows. Setup prepares the voice workflow as a whole, while a short dictation is simply the fastest way to confirm that the shortcut, microphone, and text placement are working.

HoldSay uses a small floating card and a separate library window on the desktop.

Get ready for the full voice workflow

Before installing, make sure you have the official HoldSay installer for your computer. Download the Mac installer from holdsay.com/download or the Windows installer from holdsay.com/download/win.

The official installers come from the download buttons on holdsay.com.

HoldSay works from one app in four ways. You can hold a shortcut to dictate text at the cursor in the app you are already using. You can record a meeting or an in person conversation without adding a meeting bot. You can transcribe audio and video files you already have. Once a transcript is finished, HoldSay can create a summary from it.

Keep an internet connection available for setup. HoldSay uses it to download the HoldSay Dictation model and to check your license or trial. After the local models are ready, everyday capture does not need a connection because speech recognition and summaries run on your computer.

Install HoldSay on Mac

Start with the installer from holdsay.com/download, then complete the installation and open HoldSay. During onboarding, HoldSay asks for Microphone, Accessibility, and Input Monitoring permissions. It can open the matching System Settings pane for each permission.

Choose the microphone you are actually speaking into before the real recording.

1. Allow Microphone access so HoldSay can hear you during dictation and while recording a meeting or conversation.
2. Allow Accessibility access so HoldSay can place completed dictated text into the app where your cursor is active.
3. Allow Input Monitoring so HoldSay can detect the shortcut you hold to begin dictation. Together, Accessibility and Input Monitoring support both shortcut detection and text placement.
4. Return to HoldSay after granting each permission and let the HoldSay Dictation model download.

The default dictation shortcut on Mac is Right Option. You hold it while speaking and release it when you finish. When the model download is complete, onboarding ends at the license screen. You can activate a license key or start a two day trial.

Install HoldSay on Windows

Start with the installer from holdsay.com/download/win, then complete the installation and open HoldSay. Windows setup covers microphone access, which lets HoldSay hear you for dictation and recording.

1. Grant microphone access when setup requests it.
2. Let HoldSay download the HoldSay Dictation model while you are connected to the internet.
3. When the download finishes, continue to the license or trial screen.

Setup ends on the license screen, where a key is entered for this computer.

The default dictation shortcut on Windows is Right Ctrl. Hold it while you speak, then release it when you are done. Onboarding ends on the same screen as Mac, where you can activate a license key or start a two day trial.

Keep the app open after setup and check that the floating voice card is available. Its Ready status confirms that it is waiting for an action. For more detail on the card controls, read Use the floating voice card.

Test dictation, recording, and files

Once setup is complete, test the workflow in a short sequence. Begin with dictation because it quickly checks the microphone, held shortcut, and text placement. Then make a brief recording to confirm that HoldSay can create a finished note. If you have an audio or video file ready, test that path too.

A finished dictation is placed where the cursor is already active.

1. Click into the text field you prepared so the cursor is visible. Hold Right Option on Mac or Right Ctrl on Windows, say a short sentence, then release the key. The completed dictation should appear at that cursor, and HoldSay also keeps the note in History.
2. Use the red REC control on the floating voice card to start a short recording. The card shows Recording and a timer while it captures. Finish the recording from the card. When HoldSay has prepared the result, the finished note appears in History.
3. If you want to test an existing file, add it in Files in the main window, drop it onto the voice card, or send it to HoldSay from Finder on Mac or File Explorer on Windows. A file added in the main window appears in Files while it processes, then becomes a note in History when it finishes.

Recording is available without a license, while transcription is the paid step. A license key or the two day trial lets you test transcription. In History, completed notes can show Raw, Speakers, Polish, or Summary when that view applies to the source. Continue with Dictate into any app or Transcribe an audio or video file when you are ready to use those workflows in more detail.

What to check when setup looks complete but a workflow still fails

Use the voice card to identify where the workflow stops. It shows Ready while waiting, Recording with a timer while capturing, and Transcribing while preparing a result. Then check the issue in this order.

1. Nothing happens while you hold the key. Open Settings and look at the Keyboard shortcut row. It shows the key HoldSay receives for held dictation. On Mac, switch between Hold Right Option and Hold Fn if another app uses the current key. On Windows, confirm that you are holding Right Ctrl, the default shortcut. If the card does not react, HoldSay is not receiving the held key.
2. The card reacts, but no text appears. Click in an editable field in the app where the result should go, so an active cursor is present. A reacting card means the microphone and shortcut worked. If the cursor moved just as the dictation finished, the text is still on the clipboard. Press Command V where you meant it.
3. A capture runs, but nothing was heard. In Settings, check the Microphone row and select the input device you are speaking into. HoldSay may be listening to a different input.
4. Captures never turn into text. Recording works without a license, but transcription requires an active license key or a started two day trial. Also confirm that the first HoldSay Dictation model download has finished with a connection.

The held dictation shortcut is visible and changeable in Settings.

If these checks do not resolve the issue, see Fix common HoldSay problems.

Common questions

What can HoldSay do after setup besides dictation?

HoldSay can record meetings and in person conversations without adding a meeting bot, transcribe audio and video files you already have, and create summaries from finished transcripts. Finished notes are kept in History, where applicable views can include Raw, Speakers, Polish, and Summary.

Is the two day trial available on both Mac and Windows?

Yes. Mac and Windows onboarding both end on the same license or trial screen, where you can activate a license key or start a two day trial.

Why does the voice card react but no dictated text appear?

That reaction means the microphone and shortcut worked. Click into a text field with an active cursor, then check the relevant input permissions, especially Accessibility and Input Monitoring on Mac.

If a label on this page does not match the app, email support@holdsay.com. Include Mac or Windows and the HoldSay version shown in Settings.