Troubleshooting

The most common problems, and how to fix them.

macOS

“Kudu is damaged and can't be opened” / “can't be verified”

The app isn't signed with a paid Apple certificate yet. Clear the quarantine flag once:

The shortcut doesn't do anything

Kudu needs Accessibility. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility and turn Kudu on. After an update the old entry may be stale: remove Kudu with “–”, then add it again, or click Reset permission on Kudu's Home page.

fn opens the emoji picker

Keep Stop fn from opening the emoji picker on in Kudu's Settings. Kudu sets the 🌐 key to do nothing while it runs and restores your choice when it quits.

No smart formatting or Command mode

These need macOS 26 with Apple Intelligence turned on (System Settings → Apple Intelligence & Siri).

Windows

“Windows protected your PC”

Click More info → Run anyway, or unblock the file once in PowerShell:

Text doesn't appear in one app

Apps running as administrator (and some games) don't accept typing from normal apps. Kudu puts the text on the clipboard instead: press Ctrl + V.

The microphone isn't picked up

Check Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone: “Let desktop apps access your microphone” must be on. Choose the right microphone in Kudu's Settings.

Linux

The shortcut doesn't work

You're probably not in the input group yet (or haven't logged in again since):

Nothing is typed

The virtual keyboard isn't allowed. Install the udev rule, then log out and in:

No tray icon on GNOME

Install the “AppIndicator and KStatusNotifierItem Support” extension. Open Kudu from the app menu meanwhile.

Pasting fails on GNOME Wayland

Install wl-clipboard:

Sending a useful bug report

Please open an issue with your system, what you did, what happened, and the log (it never contains dictated text):