> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.snaply.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Settings, Permissions, And Privacy

> Understand Snaply's system permissions, general settings, updates, local storage, and recovery tools.

Most Snaply behavior is configured from **Settings**. The app also includes a system-status view for checking permissions and model readiness when something needs attention.

## Permissions

Open **Settings -> Permissions** to review:

* **Microphone**: required for dictation and your microphone track in Meeting Notes.
* **Accessibility**: required for inserting dictation and replacing selected text in other apps.
* **System Audio**: required when Meeting Notes should capture audio from the other side of a call.
* **Open at Login**: starts Snaply when you sign in to your Mac.

If a permission is missing, Snaply can open the relevant macOS settings page and recheck the status.

## General Settings

Under **Settings -> General**, you can:

* Turn start/stop sounds on or off.
* Show or hide the floating dictation widget.
* Hide Snaply from the Dock while it continues running in the background.
* Choose a microphone device.
* Choose whether updates install automatically as soon as available or on a weekly schedule.
* Check for updates and restart when an update is ready.

The floating widget is separate from the Meeting Notes live recording indicator. The widget is the idle dictation control; the live indicator is the meeting capture control shown while a meeting is recording.

## Model Readiness

Snaply downloads local models only when a workflow needs them. The model screens show download progress, pause/resume controls, initialization status, storage errors, and the option to remove a local model.

The **Mission Control** view is a diagnostic checklist for permissions and feature resources. Open it from the app menu or press `Cmd + K` and choose **Run System Check** when dictation, Meeting Notes, or Writing Assistant reports that a model or permission is missing.

## Local Storage And Cloud Requests

Snaply stores app state, dictation history, meeting recordings, meeting transcripts, and generated notes locally on your Mac.

* Local dictation and local AI models keep the text and audio on your Mac.
* A cloud Writing Assistant or Translation model receives the text needed for that request.
* Meeting Notes still stores the recording and transcript locally, but cloud title generation, note generation, or Ask AI sends the relevant transcript or notes context to the provider you selected.
* OpenAI-compatible endpoints send requests to the base URL you configure. A `localhost` endpoint can stay on your Mac; a hosted proxy or company gateway receives the request.

API keys are stored in Snaply's encrypted local vault. You can add, reveal, remove, or recover keys from older Snaply installations in the model setup screens.

## If Something Fails

Keep the saved item when possible, then retry the smallest failed step:

* Missing microphone or Accessibility access: use **Settings -> Permissions**.
* Missing local model or insufficient disk space: use the relevant model screen and retry after freeing space.
* Missing cloud key or provider failure: check the provider key, quota, and model selection.
* Meeting notes that stopped during processing: open the meeting and use **Reprocess** or **Regenerate notes**.

## Related Pages

* [Getting started](/getting-started)
* [AI models](/writing-assistant/models)
* [Meeting Notes recording controls](/meeting-notes/recording-controls)