Set up Mouse Flow for faster dictation workflows

Last updated: April 21, 2026

Available on: Mac, Windows

Mouse Flow lets you start, stop, and send dictation using your mouse buttons instead of keyboard shortcuts. If you have an external mouse with extra buttons, you can bind them as triggers and keep your hands on the mouse the entire time.

How to set up Mouse Flow

Follow the guided setup in Flow Settings to bind your mouse buttons. The steps differ depending on your mouse brand.

Tip: You can start setup at any time from Settings → General → Shortcuts. Flow also shows a "Mouse Flow Discovery" notification when it detects a compatible mouse.

Most external mice (non-Logitech MX-series)

  1. Click the Flow icon in your menu bar (Mac) or system tray (Windows).

  2. Go to Settings → General and click Change next to Shortcuts.

  3. Follow the guided setup to bind a mouse button to Hands-free mode.

  4. Press the mouse button you want to use when prompted to record the binding.

  5. Bind Enter Rebind next — press the mouse button or key you want to use for sending messages.

  6. Confirm setup is complete. You'll see a "Mouse Flow setup complete!" toast message.

Note: The Enter Rebind step is optional. You can skip it by clicking outside the highlighted area, and setup will still be marked as complete.

To verify: dictate a short phrase using your bound button. When you stop, press your Enter Rebind button — the message should send immediately.

Logitech MX-series mice (requires Logi Options+)

Important: Logitech MX-series side buttons are not detected by Flow until they are configured in Logi Options+. Complete steps 1–4 before opening Flow Settings.

  1. Download and open Logi Options+ on your computer.

  2. Select your MX-series mouse from the device list.

  3. Assign a keystroke to your side buttons (Mouse 4/Mouse 5) — for example, F13, which is not used elsewhere.

  4. Save the configuration in Logi Options+ and leave the app running.

  5. Click the Flow icon in your menu bar (Mac) or system tray (Windows), then go to Settings → General → Shortcuts and click Change.

  6. Watch the demo video that appears before the walkthrough begins. (MX Master only) Click Start setup to continue.

  7. Follow the guided setup to bind Hands-free mode, then Enter Rebind, using the same side buttons you configured.

To verify: press your Mouse 4/Mouse 5 button to start dictating. Flow should respond to the button press. If it doesn't, check that Logi Options+ is still running and the keystroke assignment was saved.

How mouse buttons work as triggers

  • Push-to-Talk: Hold the button to record. Release it to stop.

  • Hands-free: Press once to start recording. Press again to stop.

  • Hybrid bindings: You can combine a keyboard key with a mouse button as a single trigger — for example, Ctrl + Mouse 4.

Warning: When a mouse button is bound as a trigger, Flow intercepts it at all times while Flow is open — the button will not reach other applications, even when you are not dictating. For hybrid bindings (e.g., Ctrl + Mouse 4), the mouse button is suppressed regardless of whether the keyboard modifier is held. The Escape key is always suppressed during active dictation, and the Fn key (when used as a shortcut) is suppressed at all times.

Supported mouse buttons

  • Middle click: The scroll wheel button on most mice.

  • Mouse 4 and Mouse 5: The side buttons found on most external mice.

  • Mouse 6–Mouse 10: Additional auxiliary buttons available on some gaming and productivity mice.

  • Aux Button: Some mice (e.g., certain Logitech models) have auxiliary buttons that are detected separately and can also be bound as triggers.

Note: Left and right mouse clicks cannot be used as dictation triggers. You can combine keyboard keys with mouse buttons in a single shortcut (e.g., Ctrl + Mouse 4) — the recording interface accepts both keyboard and mouse input simultaneously.

Compatible hardware

  • Most external mice with extra buttons: Buttons are recognized by Flow automatically — no additional software required.

  • Logitech MX-series mice: Side buttons must first be configured in Logi Options+ before Flow can detect them. Recognized models include MX Master, MX Anywhere, MX Ergo, MX Vertical, Lift, M720, M750, M705, and Marathon series.

Important: Mouse Flow requires an external mouse with more than 3 buttons, or a supported Logitech MX-series mouse. Built-in trackpads, standard two-button mice, and Apple Magic Mouse are not compatible.

FAQs

What's the difference between Push-to-Talk and Hands-free bindings?

Push-to-Talk records only while you hold the button down — release it to stop. Hands-free starts recording on one press and stops on the next. The guided setup walks you through Hands-free and Enter Rebind; Push-to-Talk can be configured manually in Settings → General → Shortcuts.

What does the Enter Rebind do?

It simulates pressing the Enter key in whatever app is in focus. This lets you send a message immediately after dictating without moving your hand to the keyboard.

Is Enter Rebind the same as the "Press Enter" voice command?

No. Enter Rebind is a mouse/keyboard shortcut that simulates pressing Enter. The "Press Enter Command" is a separate experimental feature (Settings → Experimental) that triggers Enter when you say "press enter" at the end of a dictation.

Why does my Mouse 4 button no longer trigger back navigation in my browser?

When a mouse button is bound as a Flow trigger, Flow intercepts it so it won't activate other functions. To restore the original behavior, unbind that button in Settings → General → Shortcuts.

I dismissed the setup notification. How do I start setup?

Go to Settings → General → Shortcuts to start the guided setup at any time. A notification badge appears on the General settings tab and next to the Shortcuts row when Flow detects a compatible mouse and Mouse Flow setup has not been completed. If you didn't act on the initial notification, Flow sends a reminder two weeks later with a "Don't show again" option.

Can I use Mouse Flow with a laptop's built-in trackpad?

No. Mouse Flow requires an external mouse with dedicated extra buttons. Built-in trackpads do not have bindable buttons.

Do I need to configure all keybind sections?

No. Only bind the shortcuts you plan to use. The guided setup focuses on Hands-free and Enter Rebind as the core Mouse Flow workflow.

Does Logi Options+ need to stay open for my MX mouse to work?

Yes. Logi Options+ must be running for the button assignments to remain active. It typically runs in the background on login — check your login items if the buttons stop working after a restart.

Do I need to restart Flow after connecting a new mouse?

No. Flow detects mice dynamically when they are plugged in or unplugged. The Mouse Flow setup option appears automatically when a compatible mouse is connected.

Can I assign multiple shortcuts to the same action?

Yes. You can assign up to 4 different shortcuts per action, and each shortcut can contain up to 3 keys. If your Hands-free shortcut overlaps with a Push-to-Talk shortcut, Flow displays a conflict warning during setup.

Limitations and notes

  • Mouse Flow is available on Mac and Windows only.

  • An external mouse with extra buttons beyond left and right click is required.

  • Logitech MX-series mice require Logi Options+ to be installed and running.

  • Logitech MX Master side buttons cannot be used directly for Push-to-Talk because Logi Options+ converts them to instant gesture events. Assign a keystroke (e.g., F13) in Logi Options+ first.

  • MX Master users see a demo video before the guided setup walkthrough begins. Other MX-series mice go directly to the walkthrough.

  • Mouse Flow Discovery notifications are categorized as Tips and Suggestions. If you have muted this notification category, you will not receive Mouse Flow prompts.

  • The Escape key is always intercepted during active dictation (to cancel/dismiss), regardless of your shortcut configuration.

  • Both press and release events for bound mouse buttons are intercepted. If a mouse button appears stuck, wait up to 10 seconds for the system to clear the stale state.

  • Devices with "trackpad" or "touchpad" in their product name are not compatible with Mouse Flow, even if they have extra buttons.

  • A "Reset to default" button at the bottom of the Shortcuts dialog restores all shortcuts to their platform defaults.