talat records two audio streams: your microphone (your voice) and your system audio (the other side of the call). How each one is granted depends on your operating system.

## On macOS

Mac requires two separate permissions, one for the microphone and one for system audio. talat asks for both during the onboarding flow on first launch. Each one has a row with an **Allow** button; clicking it triggers the standard macOS prompt. The row turns green once granted. You can’t move past the permissions screen until both are granted.

### Microphone

If you denied the prompt, click **Open settings** on the same row to jump straight to the right panel. Or open it yourself:

_System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone_

Make sure talat is ticked.

### System audio

System audio is recorded audio only. talat does not capture your screen, take screenshots, or see any window contents.

Same as above: if you denied the prompt, click **Open settings** on the row, or open it yourself:

_System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen & System Audio Recording → System audio recording only_

The toggle lives inside the “Screen & System Audio Recording” panel, in a separate “System audio recording only” section. Make sure talat is ticked there.

## On Windows

Windows does not prompt for permissions on first launch. On a default install, both microphone and system audio are available immediately.

### Microphone

If the microphone is not working, check:

_Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone_

Two switches must be on:

- Let apps access your microphone
- Let desktop apps access your microphone

Windows does not list individual desktop apps in this panel. If both switches are on, talat has access.

### System audio

No permission required. System audio is always available to talat on Windows. talat does not capture your screen or take screenshots.

## If only one side of the conversation is captured

- **Only your voice is recorded** → system audio access is missing (Mac) or the default output device changed mid-call (Windows).
- **Only the other side is recorded** → microphone access is missing.

Check the relevant permission and restart talat.

If you're still stuck, get [help](/content/help/index.html).