# Allow microphone and speech access for voice search

Voice search needs macOS microphone and speech-recognition permissions; typed search remains available without them.

Last updated 26 October 2026

## Follow these steps

1. Open CubbyPad and click the microphone or press Command–D.

1. Review the microphone and speech-recognition requests from macOS.

1. If previously denied, inspect CubbyPad under System Settings › Privacy & Security.

1. Start listening again and speak a clear app name.

## What to expect

macOS can provide the speech input needed for the voice action. CubbyPad listens during that action and a pause ends listening.

CubbyPad does not save recordings. It requests on-device recognition where available; otherwise macOS may send audio to Apple according to Apple’s speech handling. This differs from on-device Apple Intelligence task suggestions.

## If the result is different

If listening does not start, check both permission categories rather than only the microphone. Confirm the intended input device is available and use typed search while investigating. A license problem can also prevent normal access to the grid.

For the broader walkthrough, read [search for apps with your voice](https://cubbypad.com/guides/voice-search/).

## Related answers.

[### Check the microphone used for voice search

Verify the Mac’s available audio input if voice search starts but cannot hear the app name you say.

Read answer ↗](https://cubbypad.com/help/voice-search-microphone/)[### Turn off Apple Intelligence app suggestions

Disable Suggest apps in Settings › Search & Siri if you want name-based search without the optional task-suggestion model.

Read answer ↗](https://cubbypad.com/help/disable-ai-suggestions/)[### Use CubbyPad when Apple Intelligence is unavailable

Use ordinary name search and the category-based Organize fallback when your Mac’s Apple Intelligence model is not available.

Read answer ↗](https://cubbypad.com/help/ai-unavailable/)

Source: https://cubbypad.com/help/voice-search-permissions/