StarlingType 听打
Dictate in English and 中文 without switching languages. Your voice never leaves your device. Free.
macOS 13+ on Apple Silicon (M1+) · Android 8.0+ · all versions & release notes
What is this?
StarlingType is a voice-to-text dictation app for English and Chinese. Speak, and your words appear as text — it auto-detects which language you're speaking.
Everything runs on your device; audio is never uploaded.
It's named after the starling, a bird famous for vocal mimicry. 听打 (Tīng Dǎ) literally means "listen-type."
- 🗣️ One language or both — dictate in just English, just 中文, or mix them in a single sentence ("我们 schedule 一个 meeting"). Single-language is completely fine; you're never required to mix.
- 🔒 100% on-device — no cloud, no account, no telemetry that sends audio.
- 🆓 Free.
Two apps — pick the one for your device: the Mac app for your computer (macOS desktop or laptop) and the Android app for your phone or tablet. They're separate downloads.
🍎 Mac (macOS) — desktop & laptop
For your computer. Dictate into any text field on your Mac with a wake phrase or a click.
Install (≈1 minute)
- Download the
.dmgabove, open it, and drag StarlingType into Applications. - First launch only: right-click (or Control-click) the app → Open → confirm. (One-time step — see "The Gatekeeper warning" below.)
First-run setup
A wizard walks you through it: microphone permission, a mode choice (Cursor mode — recommended — types at your cursor; Clipboard mode copies for you to paste), the Accessibility/Automation grants for cursor mode (each prompt is explained before it appears), a quick live wake test, and an optional Launch at login.
How to use it
- Say a wake phrase (see below).
- Hear the pop chirp — your cue to talk.
- Speak, mixing English and 中文 freely.
- When you stop, a tink chirp plays and the text appears at your cursor (or on your clipboard).
Don't feel like talking to it? Click Dictate now in the menu-bar panel to dictate without a wake phrase.
Requirements: macOS Ventura (13.0)+ · Apple Silicon (M1 or newer; Intel not supported) · ~450 MB disk · a microphone.
🤖 Android — phone & tablet
For your phone. Three ways to dictate, so you can pick what fits the moment.
Install
- On your phone, download the
.apkabove and tap it. - Android will ask permission to install unknown apps for your browser/Files app — allow it once, then tap Install → Open. (Normal for apps outside the Play Store; you do it once.)
First-run setup
A short wizard handles everything: download the speech models (~280 MB, one-time, best on Wi-Fi), grant the microphone, and optionally enable the keyboard (only needed for the "type into any app" method). Re-run it any time from Settings → Re-run setup.
The three ways to dictate
- Tap to dictate (zero setup) — open the app, tap 🎤, speak → text is copied to your clipboard to paste anywhere.
- The StarlingType keyboard — switch to it in any app and tap 🎤 → text is typed straight into the field. (It's voice-only — keep your normal keyboard as default and switch to it just for dictation.)
- The Quick Settings tile — turn it on for hands-free wake-word dictation from anywhere → text goes to your clipboard.
Requirements: Android 8.0+ · ~280 MB one-time model download on first run · works on phones & foldables · UI in English and 简体中文.
Wake phrases
Say one, then talk. (Tip: pause briefly after the phrase — the chirp is your cue — so your first words aren't cut off.)
| English | 中文 |
|---|---|
| Hey Type | 嘿小听 |
| Hey Starling | 小听小听 |
| 嘿听打 | |
| 听打听打 |
Privacy
Everything happens on your device. No cloud transcription, no telemetry that sends audio, no account to create. You can verify it: turn off the network and dictate anyway — it still works.
Feedback
Found a bug, have an idea, or a wake phrase that doesn't detect well in your accent? Email starlingtype+feedback@gmail.com. If you use StarlingType regularly, even a one-line "still using it" helps decide what to build next.