# Install Contextli on your Mac

Source: https://help.contextli.com/articles/install-contextli-on-mac

Download the Mac build that matches your chip (Apple Silicon or Intel) from [contextli.com/download](https://contextli.com/download), move Contextli into your Applications folder, open it and sign in with Google or a 6-digit email code.

## Download the right build

1. Go to [contextli.com/download](https://contextli.com/download).
2. Under **macOS**, pick your chip: **Apple Silicon** (M1, M2, M3 and M4 Macs) or **Intel** (Intel-based Macs from before 2020). The page marks the one it detects with **Recommended for your Mac**.

![contextli.com download page with Apple Silicon and Intel builds](https://cdn.kamaan.io/kamaan/sites/6ae9f572170cd8d9857a277c/images/contextli-download-page.webp)

Not sure which chip you have? Open the Apple menu and choose **About This Mac**. The **Chip** line says Apple M-something for Apple Silicon, the **Processor** line says Intel for Intel Macs.

## Install and open

1. Open the downloaded `.dmg` file.
2. Drag **Contextli** into the **Applications** folder.
3. Open Contextli from Applications or Launchpad. If macOS asks whether you want to open an app downloaded from the internet, click **Open**.

## Sign in and finish setup

1. Click **Continue with Google**, or enter your email and type the 6-digit code from the **Check your email** screen. There is no password.
2. On **Let's Get You Set Up**, allow the microphone, pick your microphone, choose a **Recording Mode** and check your **Recording Hotkey** (Option+Space by default on Mac).
3. Choose your **Transcription Language**, then try a dictation on the **Try It Out** step.

After setup, macOS needs Accessibility access so Contextli can paste text for you. See [Grant microphone and Accessibility permissions on Mac](/articles/grant-microphone-and-accessibility-permissions-on-mac).

## Good to know

- Closing the Contextli window hides it to the menu bar. It keeps listening for your hotkey. To fully quit, use **Quit** in the menu bar icon.
- **Launch at Startup** is on by default. macOS may ask you to approve it in **System Settings > General > Login Items**.
- New versions install automatically. See [Update Contextli to the latest version](/articles/update-contextli).

## Related articles

- [Grant microphone and Accessibility permissions on Mac](/articles/grant-microphone-and-accessibility-permissions-on-mac)
- [Dictate your first message](/articles/dictate-your-first-message)
- [Default keyboard shortcuts on Mac, Windows and Linux](/articles/default-keyboard-shortcuts)