Cloud API keys
Applies to WhisprDesk 1.7.3 · Updated 2026-10-25
WhisprDesk uses your own API key for cloud transcription. Your audio is sent directly from your Mac to the provider you choose, and the provider bills your account. If you would rather keep your voice on your Mac, use local transcription instead.
Before you start
Open the WhisprDesk app: click its icon in the Dock, or open it from your Applications folder. The WhisprDesk window opens with Home / History selected in the sidebar. If WhisprDesk is running but you don't see its window, click the WhisprDesk icon in the menu bar at the top right of your screen and open the window from its menu. Settings is at the bottom of the sidebar on the left.
Transcription models (Whisper, NVIDIA Parakeet, and cloud providers) are set up in Settings > Transcription. AI text cleanup models are set up in Settings > Intelligence, with their own key.
Supported providers
| Provider | Models in the app | Get a key |
|---|---|---|
| OpenAI | GPT-4o Mini Transcribe, GPT-4o Transcribe, Whisper | platform.openai.com/api-keys |
| Groq | Whisper Large v3, Whisper Large v3 Turbo | console.groq.com/keys |
| Mistral | Voxtral Mini | console.mistral.ai/api-keys |
| Custom | Any model name your endpoint accepts | Your own service |
Add a key
Where: WhisprDesk > Settings > Transcription > Cloud tab
- Open the WhisprDesk app: click its icon in the Dock (or open it from your Applications folder).
- Click Settings at the bottom of the sidebar.
- Click Transcription.
- Click the Cloud tab.
- Click a provider tab: OpenAI, Groq, or Mistral.
- Paste your key into the API Key field. If you do not have one, click Get key. It opens the provider's website in your browser, where you sign in and create a key, then copy it back here.
- Click a model. Models stay locked until a key is entered.
- Check the banner at the top of the page. It should show the provider, the model, and Active.
Clicking a model makes it your active model straight away. If you later click a downloaded local model, WhisprDesk switches to local. Your key stays saved for when you switch back.
Custom endpoint
Where: WhisprDesk > Settings > Transcription > Cloud tab > Custom tab
- Open the WhisprDesk app: click its icon in the Dock (or open it from your Applications folder).
- Click Settings at the bottom of the sidebar, then click Transcription.
- Click the Cloud tab, then the Custom tab.
- Enter your service's Endpoint URL.
- Enter an API Key if your service needs one (it is optional).
- Enter the Model name your service expects.
Your endpoint must accept audio file uploads for transcription in the same request style as the built-in providers.
How keys are stored
API keys are stored on your Mac and encrypted using macOS secure storage (Keychain). They are never sent to us. Each key is only sent to its own provider when you use it.
What is sent in cloud mode
- Your recording, each time you dictate.
- Your Dictionary words, if you have added any. They help the provider recognize names and terms.
- Uploaded audio files from Upload in the sidebar, up to 25 MB per file.
The provider's own privacy policy and terms apply to what you send them.
Using the same key for AI cleanup
Where: WhisprDesk > Settings > Intelligence
AI cleanup has its own provider and key settings, so you enter that key separately:
- Open the WhisprDesk app: click its icon in the Dock (or open it from your Applications folder).
- Click Settings at the bottom of the sidebar, then click Intelligence.
- Follow AI cleanup.