Installation guide
Getting past the
security warnings.
Conversation isn't in an app store yet, so both macOS and Windows will show a warning the first time you run it. This is normal — here's exactly what to click.
Which Mac do you have? Click the menu → About This Mac. If it says Apple M1 / M2 / M3 / M4, use the Apple Silicon download. If it says Intel, use the Intel download. When in doubt, Apple Silicon is more common since 2021.
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1
Download the file
Click the correct button on the setup page. The file lands in your Downloads folder. Don't open it yet.
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2
Right-click the file → Open
In your Downloads folder, right-click the file (or Control+click on a trackpad). In the menu that appears, click Open. Do not just double-click — that gives you no way past the warning.
You'll see this:
⚠️"conversation-mac-arm64" cannot be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software.
This software needs to be updated. Contact the developer for more information.
Move to TrashOpenClick Open. macOS remembers this choice — you won't see this again.
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3
If you only see "Move to Trash" — no Open button
Newer macOS versions (Ventura and later) sometimes don't offer "Open" in the warning. If that happens:
🍎System Settings → Privacy & Security → scroll down → you'll see "conversation-mac-arm64 was blocked" → click Open Anyway → enter your Mac password → click Open.
This section appears within about 60 seconds of the first blocked attempt.
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4
Allow Screen Recording
macOS requires a one-time permission for any app that sees the screen. A dialog will pop up automatically — follow it:
- 1. Click Open System Settings in the dialog.
- 2. You're now in Privacy & Security → Screen Recording. Find conversation in the list.
- 3. Toggle it On.
- 4. macOS may say "Quit & Reopen" — just close that notification. The app restarts itself.
💬Starting in macOS 15 (Sequoia), Apple shows a weekly reminder of apps that used Screen Recording. Conversation will appear there — that's Apple keeping you informed, not a problem.
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5
Enter your pairing code
A small window opens and asks for a code. Type the 8-digit code from the setup page and press Return. Optionally give the laptop a name (e.g. "Noga's MacBook"). Done.
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✓
That's it — it's running
No menu bar icon. No Dock entry. Conversation installed itself as a background service and will restart automatically every time the Mac logs in. Close the window.
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1
Download the file
Click the Windows button on the setup page. The file
conversation.exedownloads to your Downloads folder. -
2
Double-click it — then click "More info"
Windows SmartScreen will stop it the first time. Here's what you'll see and what to click:
You'll see this:
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen prevented an unrecognised app from starting. Running this app might put your PC at risk.
Publisher: Unknown Publisher
App: conversation.exeMore infoDon't runClick "More info" (the blue link, bottom left). The dialog expands:
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen prevented an unrecognised app from starting.
App: conversation.exe
Publisher: Unknown PublisherDon't runRun anywayClick "Run anyway". Done.
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3
If there's no "Run anyway" — Smart App Control (Windows 11 only)
Some Windows 11 machines have Smart App Control turned on, which removes the "Run anyway" option entirely. If that's you:
🔧Quick fix: Unblock the file
Right-click
conversation.exein your Downloads folder → Properties → at the very bottom, tick Unblock → click OK → double-click the file again.⚙️If Unblock doesn't appear, or the block persists
Start → Settings → Privacy & Security → Windows Security → App & browser control → Smart App Control → Off.
Note: this is permanent on that machine (can only be re-enabled with a Windows reset). Most parents with trusted software on a family laptop find this a reasonable trade-off.
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4
Enter your pairing code
A small black console window opens. Press Enter to accept the server address, then type your 8-digit code and press Enter again. Optionally give the laptop a name. Close the window when done.
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✓
It's running
No system tray icon. No notifications. Conversation runs silently in the background and starts automatically when Windows boots.
Still stuck?
Reply to any message from Conversation — or email hello@conversation.app — with a screenshot of what you're seeing and we'll walk you through it.
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