Apple developer splits dictation app after accessibility API rejection
Following a second rejection from Apple, the developer of the Mac dictation tool WhisperPad has released two distinct versions: a compliant iteration on the Mac App Store and a direct-download variant retaining full auto-paste functionality.
Apple has rejected an update to the Mac dictation application WhisperPad, citing violations of Guideline 2.4.5 regarding the use of accessibility APIs. Developer Rene Zelaya reports that the rejection was based on the app’s use of the accessibility API to automatically paste transcribed text into other applications, a function Zelaya argues is essential for users with physical limitations.
Zelaya, who developed the application to manage a progressive repetitive strain injury that began in late 2024, stated that the injury made sustained typing painful and unsustainable. He designed WhisperPad to transcribe voice input locally on the Mac and inject the text directly into the active field, minimising the number of hand movements required. The app does not send audio data to external servers, distinguishing it from many cloud-based competitors.
The initial rejection occurred in April 2025 when Apple reviewed version 1.5 of the software. Zelaya appealed the decision, explaining that the auto-paste feature was an accessibility necessity rather than a standard input method. He noted that earlier versions of WhisperPad had been approved by Apple despite utilising the same permissions and functionality, suggesting an inconsistent application of the guidelines or a recent policy shift.
After a second rejection in May 2025, Zelaya decided to split the software into two separate builds. The version available on the Mac App Store complies with Apple’s restrictions by placing transcribed text on the clipboard, requiring users to manually paste it using Command-V. This change increases the core workflow from four steps to six. The App Store version includes a free tier offering 120 minutes of usage per month.
The direct-download version, which retains the full auto-paste functionality, was released via Zelaya’s own website, mitmllc.com. This iteration utilises Paddle for payment processing and Sparkle for software updates, with licensing managed through a key system. Zelaya completed the direct release pipeline on 27 May 2025, noting that the constraint forced him to build a more robust distribution and payment infrastructure.
