Common questions
Do I need an account or the internet?
During the private beta, yes: approved writers use an invite code to create an account before downloading. Once installed, on-device dictation stays on your Mac. The optional Pro cloud engine is the only thing that sends a dictation off your Mac.
Does Murmurtale write for me?
Never. It cleans up what you actually said — grammar, punctuation, formatting, spelling — and stops there. See Privacy and authorship.
Which permissions does it need?
Two: Microphone and Accessibility. It does not need Input Monitoring. See Permissions.
What is the difference between the fn and Option keys?
Hold fn for Fiction mode (full literary formatting) and right ⌥ for Plain mode (clean everyday prose). See Modes and hotkeys.
Why do my character names come out wrong?
Add them to a dictionary with a sounds-like hint. Murmurtale will spell them your way.
Can I dictate my passwords?
Please do not. Secure fields fall through to paste and are not guarded yet — type credentials by hand. See Supported apps.
Why is Murmurtale a subscription?
The free on-device tier is genuinely free. Pro funds the cloud engine and keeping the app current. The full answer is here.
What if transcription fails?
Your audio is saved before transcription, so a failed capture keeps its audio in History with Play and Retry. You do not lose work.