Can I dictate on my Mac without an internet connection?

Quick answer — November 1, 2026: Yes. Dictop can transcribe speech on your Mac using an available on-device model, without uploading that audio for transcription. Download and activate the model before going offline. Cloud speech recognition and cloud AI editing need internet access; compatible Apple Intelligence refinement runs on device where available and selected.

Offline dictation is useful when you are travelling, working with unreliable Wi-Fi, or choosing to keep speech processing on your computer. To work entirely offline, make sure every processing step you enable can run locally.

Set up the local workflow before you disconnect

Open Dictop's Transcription settings and choose an available on-device model. Dictop includes a built-in Whisper Tiny option and offers additional Whisper and Parakeet downloads. Availability depends on your app version, device and platform.

Let the download finish, activate the model, and record a short test. If you use automatic insertion, grant the required macOS Accessibility permission and test a field in your usual writing app.

For AI editing, either turn refinement off or select Apple Intelligence on a supported, ready device. Local speech recognition does not make cloud AI editing available offline.

Then disconnect from the internet and repeat the recording. Check the entire path: recording, transcription, replacements, optional editing and insertion. Do this before a trip, rather than discovering a missing download when you need it.

Which model should you download?

Start with a model that supports your language and runs comfortably on your Mac. A larger model can take more storage and processing resources, so it is worth comparing a short everyday passage before downloading several options.

Dictop offers Whisper sizes and Parakeet variants with different language coverage. Check the language choices shown for your selected model; an on-device model may not support every language available elsewhere in the app.

Offline processing also does not guarantee instant results. Your Mac, the recording length and the chosen model all affect how long transcription takes.

What offline mode does and does not cover

Local replacement rules can correct recurring words without a cloud rewrite. Your completed transcript can be inserted into a local text editor. If the destination is an online service, that service may still need internet access to save, sync or submit what you write.

Local speech processing is separate from Dictop's telemetry and configuration services. Read the privacy policy for details about those services and their controls.

Dictop's on-device use is available through a one-time purchase after the trial. You do not need to buy cloud transcription credits to use an available local speech model.

Try Dictop for Mac. See processing and privacy details before choosing your setup.