Frequently Asked Questions

How does Scribba work?

Press your global shortcut to start recording, speak, then press again to stop. The transcribed text is copied to your clipboard so you can paste it wherever you need.

Is my audio private?

Yes. All transcription happens entirely on your Mac using on-device speech recognition. Your audio never leaves your computer.

Does Scribba work offline?

Yes. Everything runs locally on your Mac. No internet connection is required.

Will Scribba slow down my Mac?

No. Scribba uses very little memory and processing power. It won't slow down your Mac or drain your battery — you can leave it running all day.

What apps does Scribba work with?

All your favorite apps — anywhere you can type. Messages, Notes, Mail, Slack, your browser, a code editor — if you can paste text there, Scribba works.

Do I need an account?

No. Scribba does not require an account, email address, or any form of registration.

What languages does Scribba support?

Scribba currently supports English. Additional language support is planned for future updates.

What macOS version is required?

Scribba requires macOS 26 or later.

Where does the transcribed text go?

Transcribed text is copied to your clipboard. Press Cmd+V to paste it wherever you're typing.

Can I change the shortcut?

Yes. You can customize the global shortcut in the app's preferences.

What permissions does Scribba need?

Scribba needs two macOS permissions:

• Microphone — to capture your voice. Scribba only listens when you press the recording shortcut, and audio never leaves your Mac.
• Speech Recognition — to transcribe your audio on-device using Apple's speech models.

All processing happens locally on your Mac. Scribba never uploads audio, transcriptions, or telemetry.

Can I customize Scribba?

Yes. You can customize the global shortcut and change the app's appearance in the app's preferences.

Which microphone does Scribba use?

Scribba uses whatever microphone your Mac is currently using. If you have AirPods connected, it uses those. If you switch to a USB mic, Scribba switches too — automatically, with no setup needed.

Does it work while switching between apps?

Yes. Scribba runs in the background. You can start recording, switch between apps, and the transcription keeps going. Your text lands on your clipboard when you stop, ready to paste.