Permissions

Dusky needs specific permissions to function. If a permission is missing, you see a banner at the top of the app window.

Screen Recording / Screen Capture

What it does: Allows Dusky to capture screenshots and register as a screen-share-excluded window.

If not granted: Screenshot capture, AI analysis, and screen-share invisibility do not work. A yellow banner appears: “Core features are currently unavailable.”

macOS — how to grant

1. Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Screen Recording.
2. Find Dusky in the list and toggle it on.
3. If Dusky is not listed, click the + button and select Dusky from your Applications folder.
4. Restart Dusky — macOS requires a restart for the permission to take effect.

Caution

macOS does not apply Screen Recording changes until you restart the app. If the permission banner persists after toggling, quit Dusky completely and relaunch it.

Windows — how to grant

Windows grants screen capture access to desktop apps by default. If you see the permission banner on Windows:

1. Make sure Dusky is not being blocked by your antivirus or security software.
2. Try running Dusky as Administrator (right-click > Run as administrator).
3. Restart Dusky after making changes.

Microphone permission

What it does: Allows Dusky to capture system audio for live transcription.

If not granted: Audio transcription is unavailable, but all other features work normally.

macOS — how to grant

1. Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone.
2. Toggle Dusky on.
3. No restart required — the change takes effect immediately.

Windows — how to grant

1. Open Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone.
2. Make sure Microphone access is turned on.
3. Scroll down and verify Dusky is allowed under app permissions.

Permission was denied or revoked

macOS

1. Open System Settings > Privacy & Security.
2. Select the relevant permission category (Screen Recording or Microphone).
3. If Dusky shows as disabled, toggle it on.
4. If Dusky is not listed at all, click + and add it from Applications.

Windows

1. Open Settings > Privacy & Security.
2. Select Microphone (or the relevant category).
3. Make sure the toggle for Dusky is on.

Still not working?

• macOS: Make sure you are running macOS 12 (Monterey) or later.
• Windows: Make sure you are running Windows 10 or later (64-bit).
• Check that Dusky is not blocked by your organization’s MDM or group policy.
• Try removing Dusky from the permission list and re-adding it (macOS), or reinstalling Dusky (Windows).
• Contact support@dusky.app if the issue persists.