diff --git a/electron-builder.json5 b/electron-builder.json5
index b8073db..960484d 100644
--- a/electron-builder.json5
+++ b/electron-builder.json5
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@
   ],
 
   "mac": {
+    "hardenedRuntime": false,
     "target": [
       {
         "target": "dmg",
@@ -38,7 +39,9 @@
     "artifactName": "${productName}-Mac-${arch}-${version}-Installer.${ext}",
     "extendInfo": {
       "NSAudioCaptureUsageDescription": "OpenScreen needs audio capture permission to record system audio.",
-      "NSCameraUseContinuityCameraDeviceType": true
+      "NSMicrophoneUsageDescription": "OpenScreen needs microphone access to record voice audio.",
+      "NSCameraUseContinuityCameraDeviceType": true,
+      "com.apple.security.device.audio-input": true
     }
   },
   "linux": {
diff --git a/electron/main.ts b/electron/main.ts
index 93c7590..d26dbcc 100644
--- a/electron/main.ts
+++ b/electron/main.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,17 @@
 import fs from "node:fs/promises";
 import path from "node:path";
 import { fileURLToPath } from "node:url";
-import { app, BrowserWindow, dialog, ipcMain, Menu, nativeImage, Tray } from "electron";
+import {
+	app,
+	BrowserWindow,
+	dialog,
+	ipcMain,
+	Menu,
+	nativeImage,
+	session,
+	systemPreferences,
+	Tray,
+} from "electron";
 import { registerIpcHandlers } from "./ipc/handlers";
 import { createEditorWindow, createHudOverlayWindow, createSourceSelectorWindow } from "./windows";
 
@@ -291,6 +301,25 @@ app.on("activate", () => {
 
 // Register all IPC handlers when app is ready
 app.whenReady().then(async () => {
+	// Allow microphone/media permission checks
+	session.defaultSession.setPermissionCheckHandler((_webContents, permission) => {
+		const allowed = ["media", "audioCapture", "microphone"];
+		return allowed.includes(permission);
+	});
+
+	session.defaultSession.setPermissionRequestHandler((_webContents, permission, callback) => {
+		const allowed = ["media", "audioCapture", "microphone"];
+		callback(allowed.includes(permission));
+	});
+
+	// Request microphone permission from macOS
+	if (process.platform === "darwin") {
+		const micStatus = systemPreferences.getMediaAccessStatus("microphone");
+		if (micStatus !== "granted") {
+			await systemPreferences.askForMediaAccess("microphone");
+		}
+	}
+
 	// Listen for HUD overlay quit event (macOS only)
 	ipcMain.on("hud-overlay-close", () => {
 		app.quit();
diff --git a/src/hooks/useAudioLevelMeter.ts b/src/hooks/useAudioLevelMeter.ts
index 893d308..12ff54b 100644
--- a/src/hooks/useAudioLevelMeter.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/useAudioLevelMeter.ts
@@ -39,6 +39,9 @@ export function useAudioLevelMeter(options: AudioLevelMeterOptions) {
 				streamRef.current = stream;
 
 				const audioContext = new AudioContext();
+				if (audioContext.state === "suspended") {
+					await audioContext.resume();
+				}
 				audioContextRef.current = audioContext;
 
 				const analyser = audioContext.createAnalyser();