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v1.0.0 — macOS support

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@pradeep512 pradeep512 released this 18 May 09:52
v1.0.0
616ce03

macOS support 🎉

Whisper-Free v1.0.0 brings first-class macOS support alongside the existing Linux build.

Highlights

  • Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) — runs all six Whisper sizes (tiny → large) via the MLX framework on Metal. Drops the heavy PyTorch dependency for a much smaller bundle.
  • Menu bar agent UX — left-click to record, right-click for menu, no Dock clutter.
  • Dynamic Island overlay that floats above full-screen apps and stays visible across Spaces.
  • Onboarding wizard for Microphone + Accessibility permissions on first launch.
  • Open at Login + Show in Dock toggles in Settings.
  • whisper-free --toggle CLI shim for Raycast / Alfred / Keyboard Maestro integration.

Install

Direct (recommended):

  1. Download Whisper-Free-1.0.0.dmg below.
  2. Mount the DMG and drag Whisper-Free.app to /Applications.
  3. First launch — macOS will show a Gatekeeper warning because the app is unsigned. To bypass:
    • macOS 13–14: Right-click Whisper-Free.app → Open → click Open in the dialog.
    • macOS 15+: System Settings → Privacy & Security → scroll to bottom → click "Open Anyway" next to Whisper-Free was blocked.
  4. Grant Microphone and Accessibility permissions when the onboarding wizard appears.

Homebrew (once the cask PR is merged):

brew install --cask whisper-free

Requirements

  • Apple Silicon Mac (M1, M2, M3, or M4) — Intel Macs are not supported.
  • macOS 13.5 Ventura or newer.
  • ~500 MB free disk space for the app + default small model.

Verification

shasum -a 256 -c Whisper-Free-1.0.0.dmg.sha256

Known limitations

See KNOWN_ISSUES.md for the full list. Highlights:

  • Unsigned binary triggers Gatekeeper warning on first launch (workaround above).
  • Corporate MDM-managed Macs (Workspace ONE / Airwatch / Jamf) may block Accessibility — file/menu-bar paths still work, only the global hotkey is affected.
  • Global hotkey supports modifier+key combos only (default cmd+shift+space); single-key tap-toggle planned for v1.1.

Full changelog

See CHANGELOG.md for the complete Added / Changed / Fixed breakdown of every commit in this release.

Linux

The Linux AppImage build is unchanged in this release. Install instructions in the README.

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