Troubleshooting

A permission doesn't take effect#

1. Check Dashboard → Privacy

   It re-checks every few seconds and shows which permissions are allowed.

2. Screen Recording or System Audio Recording?

   Quit and reopen Xeneric after allowing them; macOS applies them on the next launch.

3. Still not working?

   In System Settings → Privacy & Security, select Xeneric in that list, remove it with –, then click Allow in Dashboard → Privacy and switch it on again.

“Couldn't check your account”#

Xeneric needs to reach its server to confirm your trial or subscription. If the Dashboard says “Couldn't check your account” or “Not confirmed”:

• Check your internet connection, then click Refresh on Dashboard → You.
• Is Offline mode on (Dashboard → Privacy or the menu-bar menu)? Then your account isn't checked; turn it off.
• A VPN, proxy or firewall may block dashboard.xeneric.app.
• “Your session ended. Sign in again.” means just that: sign in on Dashboard → You.

The notch isn't showing#

• Signed out, or trial over? The notch stays shut; click it to open your account in the Dashboard.
• Nothing on hover? Turn on Expand notch on hover in Dashboard → General.
• On a display without a camera notch, Xeneric shows only its eye in a small circle at the top of the screen.
• No drop zones while dragging? Turn on Drop shelf while dragging files in Dashboard → Files.
• No music? Connect Spotify in Dashboard → Integrations and allow Automation when macOS asks.

A shortcut does nothing#

Open Dashboard → Shortcuts. A shortcut another app already uses says “Taken by another app — pick other keys.” See When a shortcut doesn't work. For ⌥⇧Space and the companion, check the Accessibility permission.

No AI answers#

• Check your OpenAI key in Dashboard → Integrations (or switch to Claude Code as brain).
• Offline mode blocks AI answers and voice.
• Your trial or subscription must be active.

Per-app volume is missing#

Per-app volume needs macOS 14.4 or later and the System Audio Recording permission (“Turn on Xeneric under Screen & System Audio Recording”). Master volume and outputs work without it.

The pointer size doesn't change#

If Dashboard → Cursor says “This version of macOS doesn't let Xeneric change the pointer”, use System Settings → Accessibility → Display → Pointer for size and color. Halo, click rings and the spotlight still work.

Updates are off#

Dashboard → About says why. Most often Xeneric isn't in Applications: move it there and open it again. See Updates.

“Key missing” on the Privacy page#

Xeneric's encryption key in the Keychain (item “com.techsolace.xeneric”, account “data-key”) is gone, so saved chats and history can't be read. Restore it from a backup and try again, or start fresh: the old data is moved to a folder, not deleted.

After moving from Vision#

• Xeneric moves Vision's data on its first launch. macOS treats Xeneric as a new app, so allow Accessibility, Screen Recording, Microphone and Full Disk Access again (Dashboard → Privacy).
• A Keychain prompt for each item Vision saved is expected, once. Choose Always Allow.