Preferences
Recording indicator
Choose the indicator’s size, position, and visibility without changing how dictation works.
In the appSettings → Overlay
On this page
Show or hide the indicator
Show the overlay while recording is enabled by default. Open Settings → Overlay to see a live preview while you adjust its appearance.
The indicator provides recording and processing feedback. It does not take focus from the app you are writing in; clicks pass through it. Use your shortcut or the menu-bar panel to control dictation.
Preview your words while speaking
Enable Live preview → Preview what you are saying above it to show a text panel beside the recording indicator. It works with local Nemotron, Whisper, and Parakeet models. Apple Speech also offers a live preview with live text and on-device recognition enabled.
When a rewrite profile runs, the panel shows the rewritten result too. See live preview setup for details.
Starting or recording?
A spinning ring around the microphone means MicMyDay is getting the microphone ready. Compact and Wide also show Starting…. Wait for the spinner to disappear before you speak. When recording begins, the timer starts and the level meter responds to your voice.
The spinning ring means the microphone is still getting ready.
The spinner disappears. The timer starts and the level meter responds to your voice.
Mini uses the spinning ring alone while starting. During recording, the microphone indicator pulses and a level ring responds to your voice; there is no timer or text in Mini.
This brief starting state is especially noticeable with AirPods and other Bluetooth headsets, which need time to wake and switch into microphone mode. Their opening tone acknowledges the start request; use the indicator to know when to speak.
Choose a size
| Size | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Mini | A small microphone indicator. |
| Compact | The microphone, level meter, and time. This is the default. |
| Wide | More room for the selected profile and shortcut information. |
If you use Live text in the overlay, choose Compact or Wide. Mini does not show streamed words.
Place it where it suits you
Choose one of nine positions around the screen. The default is Bottom centre.
On multiple displays, the indicator uses the screen under the mouse pointer. It can appear across Spaces and over full-screen apps. Move the pointer to the display you intend to use before recording.
Adjust visibility
How visible it is ranges from 1% to 100%, with 100% as the default. Adjust it while watching the preview so the indicator remains easy to notice against your usual apps.
Its colors follow your chosen MicMyDay theme. Changing the indicator’s appearance does not alter transcription, rewriting, or delivery.