Dragon Naturally Speaking: macOS Installation

Requesting Dragon Naturally Speaking

Please submit a Software Request asking for a license for Dragon Naturally Speaking.

ITS will send you a link to download an installer, as well as a serial number to use when installing the software.

Installing Dragon Naturally Speaking

If you get a warning indicating the your computer cannot open Dragon Dictate Installer because it can't check for malicious software, follow the instructions below.

1. Click the Apple menu at the top left of your screen
2. Select System Preferences (macOS 11-12) or System Settings (macOS 13-14)
3. Select Security & Privacy (macOS 11-12) or Privacy & Security (macOS 13-14)
4. On macOS 11-12 only: Click on the lock icon in the lower left-hand corner of the Preferences screen and log in with your regular computer password to Unlock
5. Click on the Allow button next to the message that says "System software from developer 'Rogue Amoeba Software, LLC' was blocked from Loading"
6. Restart your computer
7. Click on the installer to restart the installation process
8. When you get the warning saying that Dragon can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software, go back to the Apple menu > System Preferences (macOS 11-12) or System Settings (macOS 13) > Security & Privacy (macOS 11-12) or Privacy & Security (macOS 13-14)
9. Click Open Anyway next to the message that says "'Dragon Dictate Installer.pkg' was blocked from use because it is not from an identified developer."
10. Dragon will attempt to restart the installation process
11. When you get the warning that Dragon can't be opened this time, there should be a grey button that allows you to Open it. Click that.
12. The installer will now step you through the process of installing Dragon
13. Enter the serial number provided by ITS when prompted
14. From your Applications folder, open Dragon
15. It will prompt you to grant two sets of permissions
16. If the computer doesn't open this for you automatically and you have:
    • macOS 11-12:
      1. Open the Apple menu > System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy tab
      2. Scroll down on the left menu to Accessibility
      3. Click the Lock icon in the bottom left to unlock the preferences and sign in
      4. Check the box next to Dragon
      5. Back in the left menu, scroll down to Automation
      6. Check the box under Dragon next to System Events
    • macOS 13-14
      1. Open the Apple menu > System Settings > Privacy & Security
      2. Scroll down on the main Privacy & Security menu to Accessibility
      3. Click the switch next to Dragon
      4. Back in the main Privacy & Security menu, scroll down to Automation
      5. Click the switch under Dragon next to System Events

You should now be able to use Dragon.

More Information

• Dragon is produced by Nuance, which posts support information in their knowledge base

Need Help?

Please contact the ITS Helpdesk for assistance: go.carleton.edu/helpdesk or 507-222-5999