How to get notified on your computer when someone says your name in macOS 26 Tahoe

This section explains how to set up Name Recognition in macOS 26 Tahoe. This is a step-by-step guide with pictures of the screens to help.

1. Click the Apple icon in the top left corner of the screen and choose System Settings from the menu.

2. In the System Settings window, click Accessibility in the sidebar.

3. Select Name Recognition from the list of Accessibility options on the right.

4. On the Name Recognition page, click the Set Up button.

5. Click Continue on the introductory screen,

6. Type the name you want your device to listen for in the text box labelled Enter Your Name. Type it how you might write it in a coffee shop for someone to call out. For our example, we'll use the name "James".

7. On the next screen, you’ll see that your computer has generated an audio version of your name. This is the pronunciation it will listen for when detecting your name. Click the Play button to hear how it sounds.

8. To improve name recognition, you can record your own pronunciation. To do this, click Record Your Pronunciation. If you don't want to record your own pronunciation, click Continue, then click Done to complete the set up.

9. When prompted, speak your name three times, then click Done to complete the set up. 

10. If you want to add another name for your computer to listen for, or add different pronunciations of the same name, click Add Name and repeat the steps above.

11. When you are happy with your settings, close System Settings by clicking the Close button (red circle) in the top-left corner of the window or using the Cmd + W keyboard shortcut.

12. When you have finished setting up your name, the Name Recognition icon will appear in the menu bar to indicate that your computer is listening for your name.  

13. When your computer hears your name, you'll get an on-screen notification.

Note: If this does not work it could be because your computer settings are managed by someone else (an IT department or administrator for example). If so, you will need to contact them to access these settings or for help.