Troubleshooting/Permissions
Permissions
Microphone and Screen Recording permissions
Section: TroubleshootingUpdated August 30, 2026
Required Permissions
Parrot Scribe needs specific macOS permissions to capture audio. If permissions aren't granted, transcription won't work.
Microphone Permission
Symptom
- No transcription when speaking
- "Microphone access required" message
Fix
- Open System Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security > Microphone.
- Find Parrot Scribe in the list.
- Enable the toggle.
- Reopen Parrot Scribe.
If Parrot Scribe isn't listed
- Quit Parrot Scribe completely
- Open Parrot Scribe again
- macOS should prompt for permission
- Click OK to grant access
Screen Recording Permission
Parrot Scribe uses Screen Recording for system audio capture. The in-app permission window labels this Screen Recording.
Symptom
- Microphone works but system audio doesn't
- The app asks you to enable Screen Recording
Fix
- Open System Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security > Screen Recording.
- Find Parrot Scribe in the list.
- Enable the toggle.
- Reopen Parrot Scribe.
Verifying Permissions
Check System Settings → Privacy & Security to verify Parrot Scribe has the required permissions enabled.
Still Having Issues?
If permissions are granted but still not working:
- Revoke the permission in System Settings
- Restart Parrot Scribe
- Grant the permission again when prompted
- Restart Parrot Scribe once more