Set up Vox on your Mac

The whole first-run setup, start to finish, in about five minutes.

This is the same flow the app walks you through on first launch. Use it if you skipped a step, if you are setting up a second Mac, or if you would rather read than click.

Setting up an iPhone or iPad instead? See Set up Vox on your iPhone.

1. Turn on and connect

1. Hold the black button for 2 seconds

   Vox vibrates when it turns on. Keep it in front of you rather than on your chest for now, so you can see the buttons and lights while you set up.

2. Keep holding for 5 seconds more to enter pairing mode

   Only needed the first time, or when adding a new device.

3. Pair it in Bluetooth settings

   Open System Settings, then Bluetooth, and select Vox. Keep the device near your Mac.

More detail in Turning on and pairing.

2. Install the Vox driver

This is what lets other apps and devices use Vox as a microphone. The app installs it for you.

After installing, macOS may need you to reload the audio system and to confirm in Privacy and Security. The app shows a button for whichever step is outstanding.

3. Allow accessibility access

This is how Vox types, edits, and runs shortcuts in your other apps. Without it, dictation has no way to put text into the app you are using.

Grant this after moving Vox into your Applications folder. If you run it straight from the disk image or from Downloads, macOS treats it as a temporary copy and the permission will not stick. The app detects this and tells you to move it first.

4. Turn on Vox dictation

On by default for new installs. If you are an existing user who turned it off, this is where you turn it back on. It enables the dictation shortcut, button dictation, and the mic control in the pill.

5. Wear it

Like a necklace, tucked under your shirt so the silicone ring touches your skin.

6. Start dictating

Quick press the white button once, start speaking, and press again to submit. The text lands wherever your cursor is. It works the same way in any text field on your Mac.

You do not need to raise your voice. See Getting the best accuracy.

7. Try voice commands

Hold the grey button and say something like “Switch to last app”. The built-in catalogue is in the app, and the phrasing does not have to be exact.

You can add your own later. See Voice commands.

8. Map your buttons

The defaults are good, but every button gesture is yours to change. See Map shortcuts to your buttons.

9. Stream to other apps

Leave Use Vox in other apps on and Vox is available as a microphone to Superwhisper, Wispr Flow, Apple Voice Control, and anything else that lets you pick an input device.

Some apps hide virtual microphones. If Vox does not appear in one, set Vox as your Mac’s input device in System Settings instead. See Use Vox as a microphone anywhere.

10. Optional: add your iPhone

Vox remembers every device you pair with. Once your iPhone is added, a quick press of the black button switches between them.

Set up your iPhone

The other half of the setup.

What differs between them

Mac and iPhone are not identical.