VoiceInk keyboard shortcuts: the recording key, its four modes, and every shortcut after it
By Ryleigh Newman · Published
VoiceInk is built around one recording shortcut, which you set yourself in Settings, Shortcuts. It can be a key combination, a single modifier such as Right Option or Fn, or a middle or extra mouse button, and it can behave four different ways. Around it sit a second recording shortcut, shortcuts to paste or retry your last dictation, keys that work while the recorder is open, and Auto Send. All of them are below.
I built YapToText, a different dictation app for the Mac, so read what I say about VoiceInk with that in mind. Every fact about VoiceInk 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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Setting the recording shortcut
Open Settings, Shortcuts, click the primary shortcut recorder, and press what you want to use. Side-specific modifiers work, so Right Command and Left Command are different keys, and so do Fn, a middle mouse button and extra mouse buttons. Left and right clicks cannot be recording shortcuts.
Add Second Shortcut gives you another one, and each shortcut keeps its own recording mode, so one key can be push to talk while a mouse button toggles.
The four recording modes
From VoiceInk's docs, Shortcuts, read October 10, 2026. Mouse buttons use the same recorder and the same choices.
| Mode | How it behaves |
|---|---|
| Toggle | Press once to start, again to stop |
| Push to Talk | Hold to record, release to stop |
| Hybrid | A short press toggles. Hold for at least 0.5 seconds and it records until you let go |
| Double Tap | Tap twice quickly to start, twice again to stop |
Shortcuts for after a dictation
From VoiceInk's docs, Shortcuts, read October 10, 2026. None of these has a default key in the docs.
| Action in Settings | What it does |
|---|---|
| Paste Last Transcription (Original) | Pastes the last original text, after cleanup, formatting and word replacements |
| Paste Last Transcription (Enhanced) | Pastes the enhanced text if there is one, otherwise the original |
| Retry Last Transcription | Runs the last saved audio through the current Mode again, makes a new History entry, and copies the result. It does not paste |
| Cancel Recording | Cancels the recording. Without one assigned, press Escape twice in the recorder |
| Open Quick History | In History Settings: a searchable panel of recent results to paste |
| Quick Add to Dictionary | In Dictionary, the gear: a panel to add Vocabulary or Word Replacements |
Retry needs the saved audio, so it cannot bring back a recording that History cleanup already removed. The VoiceInk History page covers those cleanup settings.
Keys while the recorder is open
From VoiceInk's docs, Shortcuts, read October 10, 2026.
| Key | What it does |
|---|---|
| Option 1 to 0 | Picks one of your first ten enabled Modes |
| Escape twice | Cancels, if you have not set a Cancel Recording shortcut |
| Return | Stops, and sends the pasted text when Auto Send is on |
Auto Send and Mode shortcuts
Auto Send lives in Settings, Pasting, Auto Send: choose Return, Shift Return or Command Return, or None. Then press Return while recording to stop, paste and send in one go. Stopping with your recording shortcut only pastes. Auto Send is one setting for every Mode, and it does not apply to Respond or Custom Command output.
Any Mode can also have its own shortcut, set in its editor. It starts that Mode directly, skips app and website matching, and uses your primary shortcut's recording mode. The VoiceInk Modes page explains matching.
The same jobs in YapToText
VoiceInk from its docs, read October 10, 2026. YapToText from its own settings.
| VoiceInk | YapToText | |
|---|---|---|
| Default recording key | Not stated in the docs. You set it in Settings, Shortcuts | Right Command |
| How the key behaves | Toggle, Push to Talk, Hybrid, Double Tap | Tap to start and stop, or Hold to talk |
| A second shortcut | Add Second Shortcut | A backup shortcut, Control Option Space, that works without Accessibility |
| Pick a mode while recording | Option 1 to 0 | Number keys 1 to 9 |
| Cancel | Escape twice, or your own shortcut | Escape once, or twice if you turn that on |
| Send after it lands | Auto Send, one setting | Return or Command Return, chosen per app |
| Paste or redo the last one | Paste Last Transcription, Retry Last Transcription | Paste recent dictation, Redo last dictation, unbound until you set them |
| Pause | Not described in the docs | Space pauses and resumes |
A tap of Right Command only counts when no other key was pressed with it, so Command C never starts a dictation. The YapToText keys help page lists every key you can choose.
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
- Set the key. Settings, Shortcuts, then press the key or mouse button.
- Choose how it acts. Toggle, Push to Talk, Hybrid or Double Tap.
- Two keys. Add Second Shortcut, each with its own mode.
- While recording. Option 1 to 0 for Modes, Escape twice to cancel, Return to send.
- After. Paste Last Transcription, or Retry Last Transcription.
If VoiceInk 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://tryvoiceink.com/docs/shortcuts (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 VoiceInk shortcut?
Open Settings, Shortcuts, click the primary shortcut recorder, and press the key, modifier or mouse button you want.
Does VoiceInk have push to talk?
Yes. Push to Talk records while you hold the shortcut. Hybrid also records while held for at least 0.5 seconds, and toggles on a short press.
Can I use a mouse button for VoiceInk?
Yes, a middle or extra mouse button. Left and right clicks cannot be recording shortcuts.
How do I cancel a VoiceInk recording?
Press Escape twice in the recorder, or assign a Cancel Recording shortcut in Settings.
How do I paste my last VoiceInk dictation again?
Assign Paste Last Transcription, Original or Enhanced, in Settings, Shortcuts, or use Quick History.