SwitchDesk for Mac
macOS 14.6 or later · Apple silicon & Intel
Needs an internet connection · Dictation is English only
Then from $12/mo, billed yearly · See pricing →
What’s new →Menu-bar app for Mac
Download SwitchDesk for Mac
Dictation, meeting notes, screen videos and your to-do list, in one Mac app.
SwitchDesk for iPhoneiPhone appComing soon to the App Store
Types where your cursor isNo bot joinsLink copied at StopTo-dos filed by category
Download started
Now drag SwitchDesk into Applications
Open SwitchDesk.dmg from your Downloads, then drag the icon onto the Applications folder.
If Safari asks, click Allow.Didn’t start? Download againThen open it: all four steps ↓
First run
Install and set up SwitchDesk in four steps.
Step 1
Open the .dmg and drag SwitchDesk to Applications
Double-click the file in your Downloads folder. In the window that opens, drag the SwitchDesk icon onto the Applications folder.
Then eject the disk image and open SwitchDesk from Applications.
Step 2
Click “Open” when macOS asks about an app from the internet
macOS asks once for any app downloaded outside the App Store. The same prompt says “Apple checked it for malicious software and none was detected.”
Step 3
Pick a theme, check the Globe key and make your categories
If Globe already opens emoji or Apple’s dictation, setup shows the one setting to change. Give each category a short bio: that’s how SwitchDesk knows where a to-do goes.
You can change each of these later in Settings.
Step 4
Try it: hold Globe and say “remind me to send Joe the revised proposal”
Let go and the pill says “Todo Added”. It lands in your list under the category whose bio fits. “Add to...” puts it on “Today’s Todo” or “This Week’s Todo”.
Say “add to today <task>” to put it straight on “Today’s Todo”.
Press and hold the 🌐 key on the desktop to try it yourself.
Send Joe the revised proposalFernhill
SwitchDesk’s to-do list: Today’s Todo, and Fernhill with the new to-do at the bottom.
Animation added for this page
Send Joe the revised proposalFernhill
SwitchDesk’s to-do list: Today’s Todo, and Fernhill with the new to-do at the bottom.
Illustration of the disk-image window.
Permissions and sync
What macOS will ask for, and why
The dictation permissions come up during setup or your first dictation. The others wait until you first use their feature.
For dictation
Microphone
Why we askSwitchDesk uses the microphone for dictation, meeting recording, and narration in screen recordings.
Voice Dictation — asked from Settings → Dictation or the first time you dictate.
Accessibility
Why we askLets SwitchDesk insert dictated text into other apps’ fields.
Voice Dictation — asked with the microphone, the first time you dictate.
Input Monitoring
Why we askLets SwitchDesk detect the Globe key while you’re in other apps.
Voice Dictation — so holding 🌐 works in any app.
Later, the first time you use a feature
Calendar
Why we askSwitchDesk reads your upcoming events to start a countdown before meetings.
Meeting Notes — asked when you turn on “Countdown before meetings”.
System Audio Recording
Why we askSwitchDesk captures system audio only while you record a meeting, so it can transcribe the other participants for your meeting notes.
Meeting Notes — asked the first time you record a call.
Screen & System Audio Recording
Why we askLets SwitchDesk record the screen, window or area you pick in Create Video.
Create Video — asked the first time you record your screen.
Camera
Why we askSwitchDesk uses the camera for the optional webcam bubble in screen recordings.
Create Video — asked when you switch the camera on.
Turned one off by mistake? Open System Settings → Privacy & Security, pick the permission and switch SwitchDesk on.
Install SwitchDesk and grant permissions →What leaves your Mac, and why →
Sync your to-do list across your Macs
Optional. Without an account, your list stays on this Mac.
Open
Settings → Account, type your email and click “Send magic link”.Open the email from SwitchDesk and click its button. The link works once and expires in an hour.
Your browser opens a SwitchDesk page and hands you back to the app, with your list syncing.
The iPhone app is coming soon to the App Store.
Requirements and trial
What your Mac needs, and how the trial works.
macOS 14.6 or later
Apple silicon and Intel Macs. Sonoma 14.6 or newer, Sequoia or Tahoe. Check yours in Apple menu → About This Mac.
An internet connection
Dictation, meeting transcripts and the notes all need one. Dictation is English only.
The Globe key
Hold it to dictate on an Apple keyboard. On other keyboards, ⌘⇧Space toggles hands-free dictation.
Set up the Globe key
The trial
- Every Pro feature for 14 days, with 10 hours of meeting notes.
- After that: Essential $12/mo or Pro $18/mo, billed yearly.
- If you cancel, your to-do list and sync keep working; notes and videos stay readable and exportable.