> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.openwhispr.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Updates and reinstalling

> Updates that fail, permissions that stop working afterwards, and how to reinstall without losing anything you need.

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

## 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."*

<Steps>
  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart OpenWhispr">
    Several macOS permissions only take effect on a fresh launch.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## 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](https://openwhispr.com) and installing over the top works
and keeps your data.

## 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:

<Warning>
  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.
</Warning>

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Windows">
    Uninstall from **Settings → Apps**, then:

    ```batch theme={null}
    rd /s /q "%APPDATA%\OpenWhispr"
    rd /s /q "%LOCALAPPDATA%\OpenWhispr"
    ```

    Then install again.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="macOS">
    Move OpenWhispr from Applications to the Trash, then remove
    `~/Library/Application Support/OpenWhispr` if you want a clean state.

    Reinstall, then re-grant permissions as above.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Linux">
    Remove the package as installed, then `~/.config/OpenWhispr` for a clean
    state.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## 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.

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Will I lose my notes?">
    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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do I need to resubscribe after reinstalling?">
    No. Your plan follows your account. Sign in and it applies.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I go back to an older version?">
    Older releases are on
    [GitHub](https://github.com/OpenWhispr/openwhispr/releases). If you're
    downgrading because something broke, please tell us what — that's worth more
    to us than the downgrade is to you.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The app says it's up to date but I know it isn't.">
    Updates roll out over a period. If you need the newest version immediately,
    install it from [openwhispr.com](https://openwhispr.com) over the top.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Snippet file="still-need-help.mdx" />

## Related

* [The text doesn't paste](/help/fix/text-not-pasting)
* [My microphone isn't working](/help/fix/microphone-not-working)
* [OpenWhispr won't open](/help/fix/app-wont-open)