Set up Blip AI on Android

How it works on Android: Blip AI adds a floating microphone that appears whenever you tap into a text field, in any app. Tap it, speak, tap again, and the text is typed into the field. Setup takes about three minutes.

1. Install Blip AI and sign in

1. Install Blip AI from Google Play.
2. Open it and sign in, or create an account.

2. Turn on System-Wide Voice

1. In Blip AI, open Settings.
2. Under Voice Overlay, turn on System-Wide Voice.
3. Blip opens Overlay Setup, a checklist of the three permissions the floating mic needs. Work through them below.

3. Allow the three permissions

Microphone

Tap Allow Microphone, then allow it in the Android prompt. Blip only records while you're dictating.

Accessibility

Accessibility is what lets Blip notice when you tap into a text field and type the transcription into it.

1. Tap Open Accessibility Settings.
2. Blip shows what it reads and what it doesn't. Tap I Agree & Continue.
3. Android opens its Accessibility settings. Find Blip AI (where it's listed depends on your phone brand, see the tabs in step 5), turn it on, and confirm.

Blip AI is greyed out in Accessibility? Android 13 and later can block Accessibility for some apps until you allow it. In Overlay Setup, tap Open App Settings (to allow restricted settings first), tap the ⋮ menu in the top corner, choose Allow restricted settings, then go back and turn on Blip AI.

Display over other apps

This shows the floating mic on top of other apps, such as WhatsApp or Chrome.

1. Tap Open Overlay Settings.
2. Find Blip AI and turn on Allow display over other apps. Samsung calls this Appear on top.

Back in Blip, tap Refresh Status. When all three are ticked, tap All Set — Continue.

4. Dictate with the floating mic

1. Open any app and tap into a text field, for example a WhatsApp message or a Gmail reply. The Blip mic appears.
2. Tap the mic and speak.
3. Tap it again to stop. Blip transcribes what you said and types it into the field.

Handy to know:

• Move it: drag the mic anywhere on the screen.
• Hide it for a while: drag the mic onto the trash target. It stays hidden for 10 minutes.
• Quick options: long-press the mic for a menu, including Language.
• Nothing was typed? If Blip didn't hear any speech, it skips the recording instead of guessing. If a transcription fails, the recording is kept under Settings → Pending recordings so you can try again.

5. Keep Blip running on your phone

Many phones close apps in the background to save battery, and that can switch off Blip's floating mic and its Accessibility service. Pick your phone brand to see the battery settings that keep Blip running, and where Blip AI is listed in Accessibility settings.

Menu names vary a little between Android versions. If you can't find a setting, search for it by name in the Settings app.

FAQ

Why does Blip AI need Accessibility on Android? Android only lets an app type into other apps' text fields through an Accessibility service. Blip uses it to detect the text field you tap into and to insert your transcription there. Blip's disclosure says it doesn't record keystrokes, doesn't read fields you haven't tapped, and keeps accessibility data on your device.

Why did the floating mic disappear? The mic only shows while a text field is focused, so it hides when the keyboard closes. If it doesn't come back when you tap into a field, your phone may have closed Blip in the background: follow the steps for your brand in step 5, and check System-Wide Voice is still on in Blip's Settings.

Why is Blip AI greyed out in Accessibility settings? On Android 13 and later, open Blip AI's app info, tap the ⋮ menu, choose Allow restricted settings, then turn on Blip AI in Accessibility.

Which apps does Blip AI work in on Android? Any app with a text field, such as WhatsApp, Gmail, Chrome, Slack or Notes. Tap into the field and the floating mic appears.

How do I change the dictation language on Android? Long-press the floating mic and choose Language, or set it under Settings → Language in the Blip AI app.