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Quick setup guide

Get Monologue installed and give it the macOS permissions it needs to work smoothly.

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Written by Anukshi
Updated over 2 weeks ago

Monologue just needs a quick install and a few system permissions, and then you’re ready to start dictating anywhere on your Mac.

Step 1: Download and install Monologue

Get the app

  1. Download Monologue

    • Visit monologue.to

    • Click Download

    • The download usually finishes within a couple of minutes

  2. Install the app

    • Open your Downloads folder

    • Drag Monologue.app into your Applications folder

    • Open Applications and double-click Monologue to launch it for the first time

  3. Signing into Monologue

    • After installing and launching Monologue for the first time, you'll need to create an account or sign in to start using the app.

    • The sign-in screen appears with account options

If you have an Every account:

  1. Click "Sign in with Every"

  2. Enter the email address associated with your Every account

  3. Monologue automatically activates your paid plan

You get full access since Monologue is included in the Every bundle


If you're new to both Monologue and Every:

  1. Click Sign in with Google OR

  2. Enter your email address

  3. Verify your email (check your inbox for confirmation)

  4. Start with free trial or upgrade to paid plan

You should now see a welcome screen that walks you through the basics.

Step 2: Grant the essential permissions

When you first launch Monologue, you'll go through a guided setup that requests the three essential permissions. This setup only takes a minute and ensures Monologue can work seamlessly with your Mac.

Microphone access (required)

Why it’s needed: So Monologue can hear your voice and turn it into text.

  1. The first time you open Monologue, macOS will ask for microphone access—click Allow.

  2. If you didn’t click Allow or don’t see the prompt:

    • Open System Settings → Privacy & Security

    • Select Microphone

    • Turn on access for Monologue

Accessibility access (required)

Why it’s needed: This lets Monologue insert text into any app and detect which app you’re currently using.

Monologue will show "Allow Monologue to paste text" as the next step

  1. Click "Allow" when prompted

  2. macOS will open System Preferences automatically to the Accessibility section

  3. Click the lock icon in the bottom-left and enter your password

  4. Check the box next to Monologue in the list

  5. Return to Monologue - the second step will show a green checkmark

Screen Recording

Why it’s needed: This allows Monologue to understand context from your active app so it can adapt to different apps (email vs. messaging vs. documents)

  1. The final step shows "Allow Monologue to get context from your screen"

  2. Click "Allow" when prompted

  3. macOS will request screen recording permission

  4. Grant permission in the system dialog

  5. You will be prompted to quit and reopen the app

When you reopen, all three steps will show green checkmarks. Monologue has all the necessary permissions to work seamlessly with your mac. You’re all set!

​Restarting onboarding

Want to go through the onboarding again? You can reset it anytime.

  1. Click the Monologue icon in your menu bar

  2. Click Reset Onboarding

That's it! You'll see the onboarding flow from the beginning.


Note:

  • Without these permissions, Monologue won’t be able to insert text properly or understand what app you’re using.

  • If something seems off: Quit Monologue → remove it from all three permission lists → reopen the app. MacOS will prompt you again so you can grant permissions cleanly.

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