FAQs
Quick answers about Spiel, privacy, permissions, and buying.
What is Spiel?
Spiel is a private Mac dictation app that lets you speak naturally and have your words land in emails, notes, messages, drafts, and documents instead of typing them.
Who is Spiel for?
Spiel is for anyone who wants to write faster by speaking: writers, founders, students, consultants, researchers, and Mac users who spend too much of the day turning thoughts into text.
Where is Spiel available?
Spiel is available to purchase directly here and coming soon to the Mac App Store.
What are the system requirements?
Spiel is compatible with Apple Silicon Macs running macOS 26 or newer. If you're using a Whisper model, 8GB RAM is recommended.
How does Spiel handle my data?
Speech is transcribed locally on your Mac. Spiel has no app tracking or app analytics, and dictated data never leaves your device.
What does Spiel use for text cleanup?
If available, Spiel uses Apple Foundation Models for text cleanup. Foundation Models run locally on your device.
Does Spiel work without an internet connection?
Core dictation runs locally on your Mac. Setup tasks like downloading Whisper models, purchasing, licensing, or support may require internet access.
What is the difference between buying on the website vs the Mac App Store?
Apple doesn't allow the use of Accessibility APIs in sandboxed applications on the App Store, which means automatic text insertion into any app is only available as part of the direct purchase version and not in the App Store version of Spiel.
Why does Spiel need Accessibility permission?
Accessibility permission lets the direct Mac version insert dictated text into the app where you're writing. If disabled, Spiel can alternatively copy transcription to your clipboard for you to paste.
Are future updates included?
Yes. Future updates are included with your Spiel purchase.
Where are notes stored?
Notes are only stored locally. You can delete them or also change how long they are stored anytime.
Which languages does Spiel support?
Spiel supports 99+ languages. Available languages vary by engine, model, and installed speech assets.
Do I have to copy and paste transcripts?
With the direct website version, Spiel can insert text automatically into most standard Mac text fields after Accessibility permission is enabled. Clipboard workflows are available when automatic insertion is unavailable or when using a more limited App Store build.
How can I send feedback, request a feature or report an issue?
You can reach us anytime at support@spiel.to.