superwhisper keyboard shortcuts: global keys, per-mode keys, push to talk, and deep links
By Ryleigh Newman · Published
superwhisper has two kinds of keyboard shortcuts, and most confusion comes from mixing them up. Global shortcuts in Settings, Configuration start, stop and cancel recording in whatever mode is active. Per-mode shortcuts, set in each mode's editor, switch to that mode and start recording. On top of that come mouse shortcuts, a key to cycle modes, and deep links for automation. This page lists all of it.
I built YapToText, a different dictation app for the Mac, so read what I say about superwhisper with that in mind. Every fact about superwhisper here comes from its own docs, read on October 10, 2026.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
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The global shortcuts
From superwhisper's docs, Shortcuts not working or misfiring, read October 10, 2026. All four are in Settings, Configuration.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Toggle Recording | Starts recording in the active mode, and stops it |
| Push to Talk | Records while you hold it |
| Cancel Recording | Throws the recording away |
| Change mode | Cycles through modes while the recording window is open |
Push to Talk can share a key with Toggle Recording: hold to record push to talk style, tap to toggle. Single modifier keys such as Command or Fn work on their own, though the docs warn that some keyboards send Fn to the system instead of to apps.
Per-mode shortcuts
Each mode has its own Keyboard shortcut field in the mode editor. Pressing it switches to that mode and starts recording. If a key starts the wrong mode, the docs say to check whether the same key is set both globally and on a mode, and to give each its own key.
Mouse buttons
With a Mouse shortcut, a quick click toggles recording and pressing and holding works as push to talk. The docs note that some mice cannot report a sustained hold, so if hold to record stops at random, use a keyboard key instead.
Switching modes
From superwhisper's docs, Switching modes, read October 10, 2026.
| Way | How |
|---|---|
| Change mode shortcut | Start dictation, then hold the modifiers and tap the key to cycle, and let go on the mode you want. The active mode shows only in the large recording window |
| Menu bar | The superwhisper icon, Select Mode |
| Auto-activation | Rules in each mode's settings switch it by app or website |
| Deep link | A link that selects a mode by its key, for automation tools |
Deep links
superwhisper answers these links, which an automation tool such as the Shortcuts app can open:
superwhisper://mode?key=YOUR_MODE_KEY
superwhisper://record
superwhisper://record/start
superwhisper://record/stop
superwhisper://settings- record toggles: it starts if idle and stops if recording.
- record/start and record/stop only start or only stop.
- A mode's key is in its JSON file in
~/superwhisper/modes, or~/Documents/superwhisper/modeson older installs. Match the name value and copy the key value.
The docs suggest combining the mode and record links to switch modes and start recording in one action.
When a shortcut does nothing
Global shortcuts lose to system and app shortcuts, so try an uncommon combination to confirm, and look in System Settings, Keyboard, Keyboard Shortcuts for a clash. If the recording window is set to None, recording works but nothing appears on screen. Clearing the shortcut, recording it again and restarting superwhisper fixes a stuck old binding. The superwhisper not working page has the full list of fixes.
The same jobs in YapToText
superwhisper from its docs, read October 10, 2026. YapToText from its own settings.
| superwhisper | YapToText | |
|---|---|---|
| Start and stop | Toggle Recording, a key you set | Right Command by default, tap to start and stop |
| Hold to record | Push to Talk, can share the toggle key | Hold to talk, a setting for the key in place of tap |
| A shortcut per mode | Yes | Yes |
| Switch mode while recording | Change mode shortcut, cycling | Number keys 1 to 9 |
| Second way in | A Mouse shortcut | A backup shortcut, Control Option Space, that works without Accessibility |
| Deep links for automation | superwhisper:// links | None |
If you drive dictation from automation, superwhisper's deep links do something YapToText cannot. If you want one key that works without setup, YapToText's Right Command does, and a tap only counts when no other key was pressed with it. The YapToText keys help page lists every key.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
The short version
- Global. Toggle Recording, Push to Talk, Cancel Recording, Change mode, in Settings, Configuration.
- Per mode. The Keyboard shortcut field in each mode.
- Shared key. Hold for push to talk, tap to toggle.
- Automation. superwhisper://record and superwhisper://mode?key=...
- Nothing happens. Another app owns the key. Pick another.
If superwhisper changes its shortcuts, open an issue on GitHub and I will update this page. Every one gets read.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
Related
Sources
- https://superwhisper.com/docs/common-issues/shortcuts-not-working (checked 2026-10-10)
- https://superwhisper.com/docs/modes/switching-modes (checked 2026-10-10)
- https://github.com/ryleighnewman/YapToText (checked 2026-10-10)
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/yaptotext/id6786382289 (checked 2026-10-10)
Questions
How do I change the superwhisper shortcut?
Open Settings, Configuration, clear the shortcut and record a new one. Each mode's own shortcut is in its mode editor.
Does superwhisper have push to talk?
Yes. Push to Talk records while you hold it, and it can share a key with Toggle Recording: hold to record, tap to toggle.
Why does my superwhisper shortcut start the wrong mode?
The same key is probably set globally and on a mode. Give each its own key.
Does superwhisper have deep links?
Yes: superwhisper://record, record/start, record/stop, settings, and mode?key= with a mode's key.
Can I use a mouse button with superwhisper?
Yes. A click toggles and press and hold works as push to talk, though some mice cannot report a hold.