Granting accessibility permissions on macOS

Typeahead needs one macOS permission: Accessibility. It's the permission screen readers use. Typeahead uses it to read the text near your cursor and the window you're typing in, and to show its suggestion where you type. It doesn't need Screen Recording.

Turn it on#

1. Open System Settings from the Apple menu.
2. Click Privacy & Security in the sidebar, then Accessibility.
3. Turn on the switch next to Typeahead. You may need your Mac password or Touch ID.
4. Switch back to Typeahead. If you're in setup, it notices and carries on.

Check it from Typeahead#

Settings › Status shows the permission as Granted or Not Granted. If it isn't granted, click Open System Settings to go straight there. When the permission is missing, the menu bar menu says so at the top, with a Fix… option.

Typeahead isn't in the list#

1. Open Typeahead from your Applications folder. It asks for the permission, which adds it to the list.
2. Go back to System Settings › Privacy & Security › Accessibility and turn it on.

It's on, but Typeahead still can't read text#

Major macOS updates sometimes reset Accessibility for apps like Typeahead. Check the switch is still on. If it is and suggestions still don't appear, select Typeahead in the list, remove it with the minus button, then open Typeahead again so it asks for the permission, and turn it back on.

Why Typeahead needs it#

Accessibility lets an app read the text on screen and type into fields, so give it only to apps you trust. Typeahead processes what it reads on your Mac, stays out of password fields, and never sends your writing to a server. It's a signed, notarized app from Noats Inc. More in How Typeahead processes text locally.