VivaDictaVivaDicta

Quick Start Guide

Install VivaDicta, grant permissions, and make your first recording.

1. Download VivaDicta

VivaDicta is completely free and open source. Download it from the App Store.

2. Grant Microphone Permission

On first launch, iOS will ask for microphone access. Tap Allow — VivaDicta needs this to record your voice.

3. Set Up a Transcription Model

VivaDicta does not come with a bundled transcription model — you need to either download a local model or configure a cloud provider before your first recording.

Option A: Cloud Provider (Recommended to Start)

The fastest way to get started is with Groq — it's free forever and incredibly fast:

  1. Go to console.groq.com/keys and create a free account.
  2. Create an API key and copy it.
  3. In VivaDicta, go to Edit Mode > Transcription > Provider and select Groq.
  4. Paste your API key when prompted.

See Free AI Provider Tiers and Recommended Models for more options.

Option B: Local Model

For fully private, offline transcription, download a local model:

  1. Go to Edit Mode > Transcription > Provider and select Whisper or Parakeet.
  2. Download a model — among Whisper options, we recommend Large Turbo for the best balance of speed and accuracy.
  3. The model will be stored on your device and ready to use offline.

Local models work best on newer iPhones (A15 chip and later). See Transcription Models for details on each option.

4. Your First Recording

  1. Tap the record button on the main screen.
  2. Start speaking.
  3. Tap the stop button when you're done.
  4. Your speech is transcribed using the model you configured and saved to your history.

5. Enable AI Processing (Optional)

VivaDicta can polish your transcriptions using AI — fix grammar, punctuate, reformat, summarize, translate, and more.

  1. Go to Edit Mode and enable AI Processing.
  2. Choose an AI provider — you can use a free provider like Groq (same key works for AI too), sign in with an existing subscription, or connect your own API key.
  3. Pick a preset (Regular, Professional, Email, Coding, etc.) or create your own.

See AI Processing Overview for the full guide.

Next Steps

  • Keyboard Setup — use VivaDicta as a system-wide keyboard in any app.
  • Viva Modes — auto-configure settings per context.
  • iCloud Sync — sync everything between iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Keyboard Setup →