# Spokenly recording indicator for Mac: Dictation Indicator

> Dictation Indicator puts a border around your Mac screen whenever Spokenly is using the microphone. No more guessing whether it heard you.

## Stop guessing whether Spokenly heard you

Push-to-talk, a shortcut, a click: however you start Spokenly, the question is the same. Is it recording right now?

Dictation Indicator watches the microphone, not the keyboard, so it knows the answer for every way you start Spokenly. Spokenly is built in, so the border shows up whenever it records.

## How Dictation Indicator shows when Spokenly is recording

- The border (or badge) appears within about 0.1 seconds of Spokenly starting to record and fades when it stops.
- No shortcut to set up: it reacts to the microphone, so it works with your Spokenly shortcut, push-to-talk or a click, and stays in sync when you cancel with Esc.
- Spokenly is built in, so there is nothing to configure. No permissions: it never records or listens to audio.

## FAQ

### Does Dictation Indicator work with Spokenly?

Yes. Spokenly is built in. When Spokenly starts recording, a border appears around your Mac screen within about 0.1 seconds, and it fades away when recording stops. The welcome guide finds Spokenly if it is installed, so there is nothing to set up.

### Do I need to set up a shortcut for Spokenly?

No. Dictation Indicator does not read the keyboard. It reacts to the microphone, so it works however you start Spokenly: your shortcut, a click or push-to-talk. It stays correct when you cancel with Esc or Spokenly stops on its own.

### Does it need microphone access?

No. Dictation Indicator never records or listens to audio, so macOS never asks it for microphone access. It only checks which apps are using the microphone.

### Will Zoom calls or screen recordings trigger the border?

Not by default. Only the dictation apps on your list, like Spokenly, trigger it. You can switch to showing the border whenever any app uses the microphone.

### Will the border show up in my screen recordings?

No, not by default. The border is hidden from screenshots and screen recordings, so it does not appear in videos you record.

### Is Dictation Indicator made by Spokenly?

No. Dictation Indicator is an independent Mac app and is not affiliated with Spokenly. It works alongside Spokenly by watching which app is using the microphone.

### What do I need, and when can I get it?

A Mac with Apple Silicon running macOS 14 Sonoma or later. Dictation Indicator is coming soon to the Mac App Store.

Spokenly is a trademark of its owner. Dictation Indicator is an independent app and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Spokenly.

More: https://dictationindicator.com/index.md