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Most update problems fall into two groups: the update itself failing, or everything working afterwards except the permissions.

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Permissions stopped working after an update

This is the common one, and it’s macOS behaviour rather than a bug. When the app is replaced, macOS can treat it as a new application and stop honouring the permissions you’d granted the old one. Dictation then produces nothing, or automatic pasting stops, with no error explaining why. OpenWhispr tells you when it detects this: “Your notes and settings carried over from the previous version. macOS treats this as a new app though, so a few permissions need to be granted again.”
1

Re-grant them in the app

Settings → Privacy & Data under System → Permissions. Each card shows whether it’s granted, with Grant Access where it isn’t.
2

If Accessibility is listed but doesn't work, reset it

macOS keeps a stale entry pointing at the old application. In the same section, open Troubleshooting and use Reset accessibility permissions — it removes OpenWhispr from the list. Then add it back in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility.
3

Restart OpenWhispr

Several macOS permissions only take effect on a fresh launch.

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Checking your version

Settings → System, under Updates — the number is shown next to Current version, with Check for Updates below it. Include it whenever you write to us — it’s the first thing we look at. Updates are delivered automatically. If you see Update Error, note the message and try again later; if it persists, downloading the current version from openwhispr.com and installing over the top works and keeps your data.

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Reinstalling

Installing a new version over an existing one keeps your settings, history and downloaded models. That’s the normal path and it’s safe. A clean reinstall — removing the data directories too — is a bigger step:
Removing the data directories deletes local settings, dictation history and downloaded models. Notes backed up to the cloud come back when you sign in. Anything local does not.
Uninstall from Settings → Apps, then:
Then install again.

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Before you wipe anything

Worth checking first, because it’s usually unnecessary:
  • Cloud backup — if it’s on, your notes are safe. Settings → Privacy & Data under System.
  • Audio and transcripts are local. A clean reinstall removes them.
  • Downloaded models will need downloading again, which on a slow connection is the most annoying part.

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FAQ

Not if cloud backup is on — they come back when you sign in. Notes that were never backed up are local only, so a clean reinstall removes them.
No. Your plan follows your account. Sign in and it applies.
Older releases are on GitHub. If you’re downgrading because something broke, please tell us what — that’s worth more to us than the downgrade is to you.
Updates roll out over a period. If you need the newest version immediately, install it from openwhispr.com over the top.