DocumentationInstall and Permissions
Install Kapinote on macOS and grant only the permissions necessary for recording.
Install Kapinote
- Download the latest disk image (
.dmg) from kapinote.com or choose a release from GitHub Releases. - Open the
.dmgand drag the Kapinote icon into your Applications folder. - Launch Kapinote from Applications and complete the initial setup.
Kapinote is optimized natively for Apple silicon (M-series) Macs. Check release notes if you are running an Intel Mac.
Why macOS asks for permissions
| Permission | Why Kapinote uses it | Required when |
|---|---|---|
| Microphone | Captures your voice and nearby speakers | Recording any meeting |
| Screen & System Audio Recording | Captures audio played by meeting software (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, etc.) | Recording remote participants or shared media |
| Speech Recognition | Allows Apple's on-device speech engine to transcribe audio | Using the Apple Speech model |
| Notifications | Shows non-intrusive recording status and completion alerts | Recommended (Optional) |
Important Note on Screen Recording Permission:
macOS groups internal system audio capture under the "Screen & System Audio Recording" permission. Kapinote only captures the system audio stream — it never records, captures, or transmits your screen video or display contents. Furthermore, granting permissions will never trigger background recordings; you always initiate and stop sessions manually.
Grant or reset access
- Open System Settings → Privacy & Security.
- Select the relevant permission category (e.g., Microphone, Screen & System Audio Recording) and toggle Kapinote on.
- macOS may prompt you to quit and reopen the app.
- Troubleshooting access: If a permission is already turned on but audio fails to record, toggle the switch off and back on, then restart Kapinote.
For Apple's official documentation, see: Microphone access on Mac, Screen & system audio recording, and Speech recognition permissions.
Checklist before your first meeting
- Open Settings → Speech and run the built-in model test.
- Play a video or call audio while speaking into the microphone to record a 20–30 second test.
- Verify that both your voice and the system audio appear in the live transcript.
- Connect an AI provider if you want automatic notes generated after the session ends.
Next, continue with Your first meeting.