Installing Utter on Android

Utter is installed from this site, not the Play Store. Android is extra careful with apps from the web, so it asks you to say yes twice: once to install, and once before the floating mic can be switched on. Both take under a minute, and you only do them once.

Rather skip the second step?

The Utter voice keyboard needs no extra permission. Turn it on in Utter's Setup (step 4) and switch to it whenever you want to dictate. You can still set up the floating mic later.

Install it

Download Utter

Tap the Android download on this site. Chrome may warn that this type of file could harm your device: it says that about every app that does not come from the Play Store. Choose to keep the download.

Allow installs from your browser

Open the downloaded file. The first time, Android says your phone is not allowed to install unknown apps from this source. Tap Settings, switch on Allow from this source, then go back and tap Install. If Google Play Protect offers to scan the app, let it.

Android message: your phone currently is not allowed to install unknown apps from this source, with the Settings button highlighted

Samsung phones: Auto Blocker

If nothing happens when you open the file, or Samsung says the install was blocked, Auto Blocker is on. Open Settings → Security and privacy → Auto Blocker and switch it off, install Utter, then switch it back on if you like. Utter keeps working either way.

Switch on the floating mic

Utter walks you through these steps in its Setup tab too.

Open Utter and go to step 3

In Utter, the Setup tab shows a box called "Android asks for one more OK" under 3. Floating mic. Tap Try the switch.

Utter Setup screen with the "Android asks for one more OK" box and its Try the switch button highlighted

Tap Utter floating mic

Android opens its Accessibility settings. Utter floating mic is greyed out and says "Controlled by Restricted Setting". Tap it anyway. (On Samsung, look under Installed apps.)

Android Accessibility settings: Utter floating mic greyed out, controlled by Restricted Setting

Tap OK

Android explains that the app was denied access (Samsung says "Restricted setting"). Tap OK and go back to Utter. This try is needed: Android only offers the next step once you have tried the switch.

Android dialog: App was denied access, with the OK button highlighted

Allow restricted settings

In Utter tap Open App info. At the top right tap ⋮, then Allow restricted settings, and confirm with your PIN, pattern or fingerprint.

Turn on the floating mic

Back in Utter, tap Turn on floating mic, then Utter floating mic, and switch it on. Done: the mic now appears above your keyboard whenever you are in a text box.

Why does Android ask?

The floating mic uses Android's accessibility access: it needs to see where the keyboard is and type the words into the box for you. Since Android 13, apps from outside an app store must be allowed this by hand, because harmful apps have misused it. Utter only uses it to place the mic and type your words into the box you are in. Nothing on your screen is ever sent to us. The pictures are from a standard Android phone; Samsung and other brands word some screens a little differently.

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