New Accessible TeamTalk Client for Mac – Looking for Beta Testers

Hey everyone, thanks so much for the interest and feedback! Really appreciate it.

@jim pickens – You're right that the Qt app technically works, but honestly it's pretty rough for accessibility. Navigating between channels and users is basically a nightmare with VoiceOver, context menus don't respond properly, and there's that annoying audio crackling that I managed to eliminate in my version. So yeah, it "works" but it's not really usable if you rely on screen readers. This native macOS client is built VoiceOver-first, so the experience should be night and day.

@Casey Reeves – Totally feel you on the Mac mini issues. And yeah, iOS would be amazing! But here's the reality: I need to get an Apple Developer subscription first to sign the macOS app (costs money), and then building an iOS version would require the same. Down the road though, if I do make an iOS version, it would be way better than the official one – full .tt file support and iCloud sync between Mac and iOS so your servers stay in sync across devices. One step at a time though! Can't wait to hear what you think once your Mac arrives.

@kaillewaille – Exactly! Those Qt issues are exactly what I was trying to fix. The navigation between channels/users for accessibility is broken, context menus don't work with VoiceOver, and yeah, that audio crackling is gone in my version. The audio pipeline is custom using Apple's AudioQueue, so no more distortion or saturation problems. And all the TTS is direct VoiceOver calls, so way more responsive. Looking forward to your feedback!

Let me know if you have any other questions. Excited to get this in people's hands!

Hi everyone, thanks for the great feedback on my earlier post! I'm happy to share the first public beta.

Download

ttaccessible-1.0.0-beta.1-1.zip (16 MB)

Important: Unsigned App

This app is not signed with an Apple Developer certificate (no budget for the $99/year program yet). macOS will block it by default. Here's how to open it with VoiceOver:

1. Unzip the downloaded file
2. Move ttaccessible.app to your /Applications folder (Finder, Cmd+Shift+A to open Applications, then paste)
3. Try to open the app — macOS will show a dialog saying it can't be opened
4. Open System Settings (Cmd+Space, type "System Settings", Enter)
5. Navigate to Privacy & Security in the sidebar with VO+Down Arrow
6. In the content area, scroll down — you'll find a message about TTAccessible being blocked, with an "Open Anyway" button. Press it.
7. A confirmation dialog will appear — press Open

You only need to do this once. After that, the app opens normally.

Importing your servers from the official TeamTalk client

If you already use TeamTalk on your Mac, you can import all your saved servers:

1. Open TTAccessible
2. Press VO+M to access the menu bar
3. Navigate to Server menu, then select Import TeamTalk Servers…
4. A file picker opens — the app automatically navigates to the folder where TeamTalk stores its configuration, so normally you should already see the TeamTalk5.ini file
5. Use VO+Down Arrow to find TeamTalk5.ini in the file list, select it, then press Enter (or activate the Import button)

All your servers, nicknames, and credentials will be imported. Duplicates are automatically skipped.

What's in this beta

• VoiceOver-first design — every window, menu, control, and navigation flow is built for screen readers
• Full keyboard navigation — customizable shortcuts for everything
• Native macOS interface — real AppKit, not a cross-platform wrapper
• Channel browsing and joining — full tree view with users, subchannels, topics
• Channel and private chat — with VoiceOver announcements for incoming messages
• File sharing — upload/download with progress bar, speed, ETA, and cancel button
• Advanced microphone settings — noise gate, expander, peak limiter, channel routing, all built on Apple's native audio pipeline (no more crackling!)
• User administration — accounts, bans, server properties (for admins)
• Auto-reconnect — reconnects automatically if the connection drops
• macOS notifications — get notified of private messages even when the app is in the background
• English and French localization

Keyboard shortcuts (quick reference)

Shortcut	Action
Enter / F2	Connect to selected server
Cmd+N	New server
Cmd+E	Edit server
Cmd+1/2/3/4	Focus: tree / chat history / message input / session history
Enter (on channel)	Join / leave channel
F5	Change nickname
F6	Change status
F7	Create channel
Shift+F7	Edit channel
F8	Delete channel
F9	Announce audio state
Cmd+Shift+A	Toggle microphone
Cmd+Shift+F	Channel files
Shift+F5	Upload a file
Cmd+Shift+S	Export chat history
Cmd+Shift+U	User accounts (admin)
Cmd+Shift+B	Banned users (admin)
Cmd+Shift+P	Server properties (admin)
Cmd+Shift+I	Server statistics
Cmd+,	Preferences

Known limitations

• Apple Silicon only — this beta requires an M1, M2, M3, or M4 Mac. No Intel support for now.
• Unsigned — see installation instructions above.

Feedback

I'd love to hear your feedback! Let me know: - Anything that doesn't work as expected - VoiceOver issues or confusing navigation - Features you'd like to see - Keyboard shortcuts that feel wrong

Looking forward to hearing from you all!

Hi everyone,

Here is beta 2 of TTAccessible.

First, thank you again for all the feedback on beta 1. It helped a lot, and this release includes quite a few improvements based directly on testing and user reports.

Download

ttaccessible-20260319-beta2.zip

Important: Unsigned App

This app is still not signed with an Apple Developer certificate, so macOS may block it the first time you try to open it.

If you already opened beta 1 using Open Anyway, beta 2 should normally be easier to launch, but if macOS blocks it again, use the same process as before in System Settings > Privacy & Security.

What’s new in beta 2

• Support for opening and exporting .tt files
• Advanced microphone preview, so you can hear yourself before connecting
• Per-device advanced microphone profiles
• Gate / expander mode for microphone processing
• Improved accessible gain controls
• Broadcast message support
• Restored session history view
• More TeamTalk event sounds
• Cleaner Preferences window with better organization
• Server initial channel support
• Automatic return to the last channel after reconnect, with a dedicated preference
• Minimum supported macOS version is now macOS 14

A few notes

TTAccessible is still designed with the same goals as before:

• VoiceOver-first
• full keyboard access
• native macOS interface
• TeamTalk behavior where it matters, without copying the original Qt UI

What I’d especially like feedback on in this beta

• Opening .tt files
• Broadcast messages
• Reconnect behavior
• Advanced microphone settings and audio preview
• General VoiceOver navigation
• Anything that feels awkward, confusing, or un-Mac-like

Known limitations

• Apple Silicon only
• Still unsigned
• Still in active beta, so some rough edges are expected

Thanks again to everyone testing this. Your feedback is genuinely helping shape the app.

Thanks again everyone for the testing and the feedback, it really helps.
@Casey Reeves – For echo cancellation, I did try the built-in macOS solution, but I’m not really satisfied with it. Because of that, I’ll probably move back to TeamTalk’s own echo cancellation, which I think will work better for this app.
About the AirPods and other external devices: I hadn’t properly tested that case yet, so that one is on me, sorry. I’ll fix it, and a new beta should be out soon.
@Dan Eickmeier – Thanks for pointing out the French text in the rights list. I’m French myself, so I probably forgot a translation there. I’ll clean that up in the next beta.
Also, an updater is planned, but not for immediately. I still need to sign the app first before I can do that properly.
Thanks again to all of you for trying this out and taking the time to post feedback.

Hi everyone,
Just a quick update to let you know that development of TTAccessible is temporarily on pause.
I had put my iMac up for sale a while ago, without really expecting it to sell this soon, but it finally did. Since that was the machine I was using to develop the app, I do not currently have my usual setup anymore.
I still have my MacBook Air, but it is not really enough for this kind of work, especially because of disk space, and to some extent performance as well. So for the moment, continuing development properly is a bit difficult.
The good news is that I have ordered a new, more powerful Mac, and I should receive it sometime in mid-April. As soon as it arrives, I’ll get everything set up again and resume work on the app.
Sorry for the interruption, and thank you for your patience. I’ll be back with more news soon.

Hi Dominique,
Thanks for your messages, and also for the offer to help with signing and possible Intel support — I really appreciate it.
I checked the TeamTalk SDK licensing more closely, and if that paid SDK license is really required to distribute an app like this, then I probably won’t continue with TeamTalk.
It’s simply too expensive for me for a project like this.
What threw me off is that I was able to compile the dylib directly from the public GitHub source and get it working, so I didn’t immediately realize there might still be separate licensing terms for distributing an end-user app. That part is still a bit unclear to me.
If that license really is required, I’d rather move on and build something around a different server or platform instead, if there’s enough interest.
But thank you again for the clarification and for your offer to help.

Hi Chris,
Thanks for the reply.
Yes, to be honest, the licensing situation really puts me off, but so does the general direction of the project and the developer’s attitude around it.
Right now TeamTalk is still the only thing I personally use in this space, so that’s why I started working on this in the first place. But if there is something better to build on, or a better direction to move toward, I’d absolutely rather go elsewhere.
Mumble or another more open platform may well make more sense in the long run.
For now the project is paused anyway until I get my setup back, but I’m definitely thinking about all of this more seriously now.
Thanks again for the suggestion.

Hi everyone,

Sorry for the silence — I'm back! Quick update on where things stand.

First, about the download issue some of you ran into: the 500 error was a temporary problem on pCloud's side, not on ours. The beta 2 download link should be working again now. If it's still giving you trouble, let me know and I'll re-upload it.

As I mentioned in my last post, I had sold my iMac and was waiting for a replacement. Good news: my new Mac arrived and I've been back to work on TTAccessible for a little while now. A beta 3 is on the way with some significant improvements.

What's new in the upcoming beta 3

• Echo cancellation — This was the most requested feature (@Casey, you'll be happy). I've integrated WebRTC AEC3, which is the same echo cancellation engine used in Google Chrome and most VoIP apps. It works really well for suppressing speaker feedback, so you can use TTAccessible on speakers without blasting everyone with VoiceOver.
• Automatic audio device detection — No more restarting the app when you plug in AirPods or switch headphones. The device list now updates in real time.
• Simplified audio preferences — The separate Advanced Microphone Settings window is gone. Everything is now in one place under Preferences > Audio: echo cancellation toggle, input channel selection, and audio preview. Cleaner and easier to find.
• Removed unnecessary audio processing — The noise gate, expander, and limiter have been removed. They added complexity without real benefit for most users. The audio pipeline is now just: microphone → gain → optional echo cancellation → TeamTalk. Simple and clean.

Answers to questions I missed

@Matthew Whitaker — Custom sound packs are not supported yet, but it's on my list. About the slider labels in the channel view, they should already have VoiceOver labels (input gain, output gain, volume). If something specific is still unlabeled, let me know exactly which control and I'll fix it.

@ericwhittencool — The 500 error should be resolved now. Try the link again and let me know if it works.

Thanks again to everyone testing and giving feedback. It really makes a difference. Beta 3 should be out very soon — stay tuned!

Hi everyone,

Beta 3 is here! Thanks again for all the feedback — it keeps making the app better.

Download ttaccessible-1.0.0-beta.3-1.zip (17 MB)

What's new in beta 3

• WebRTC echo cancellation (AEC3) — The most requested feature is here. Uses the same echo cancellation engine as Google Chrome. You can now use TTAccessible on speakers without blasting everyone with VoiceOver feedback. Toggle it in Preferences > Audio.
• Automatic audio device detection — No more restarting the app when you plug in AirPods or switch headphones. The device list updates in real time.
• Microphone state remembered across sessions — If your mic was active when you quit the app, it will automatically reactivate when you rejoin a channel. No need to toggle it every time.
• Simplified audio preferences — The separate Advanced Microphone Settings window is gone. Everything is now in one place under Preferences > Audio: echo cancellation toggle, input channel selection, and audio preview.
• Removed unnecessary audio processing — The noise gate, expander, and limiter have been removed. The audio pipeline is now just: microphone → gain → optional echo cancellation → TeamTalk. Simple and clean.

Installation reminder

Same as before — the app is still unsigned. If you already opened a previous beta using "Open Anyway", beta 3 should launch without issues. If macOS blocks it, use the same process in System Settings > Privacy & Security.

Feedback welcome

Let me know how echo cancellation works for you, especially if you use speakers with VoiceOver. And as always, any bugs, VoiceOver issues, or feature requests are welcome.

Thanks everyone!

Hi everyone,

Beta 4 is here! This one is packed with new features, many of them directly based on your feedback. Thank you all for testing and reporting.

Download: ttaccessible-1.0.0-beta.4-1.zip (17 MB)

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What's new in beta 4

User audio controls

• Cmd+Shift+M: Mute/unmute a selected user locally (with VoiceOver announcement)
• Cmd+M: Mute/unmute master volume (all incoming audio)
• Cmd+U: Adjust a user's volume with a real-time slider (changes apply as you drag, reverts on Cancel)
• Left/right speaker control per user in the volume dialog (requested by Herbie and Johann)

Recording

• Cmd+R: Start/stop recording conversations to disk
• Two modes: single mixed file (all voices) or separate files (one per user), or both
• Supports WAV and OGG (Opus) formats
• First press prompts for a folder, then remembers it across sessions
• Recording automatically restarts when you change channels
• New Recording tab in Preferences to configure folder, format, and mode

Channel operator

• Ctrl+Cmd+O: Promote or revoke channel operator status on a selected user
• If you have operator rights, it works directly. Otherwise, prompts for the channel operator password

Hear myself

• Cmd+Shift+H: Toggle hearing your own voice through the server (loopback)

Kick from server

• New context menu option to kick a user from the entire server (not just the channel). Admin only.

Custom sound packs

• Three sound packs included: Default, Majorly-G, and Old (from the original TeamTalk client)
• Select your pack in Preferences > Sounds (requested by Matthew)

Per-event sound toggle

• Each of the 26 sound events can now be individually enabled or disabled in Preferences > Sounds

Preferences reorganization

• Preferences are now organized into 6 cleaner tabs inspired by the original TeamTalk client: General, Connection, Audio, Sounds, Announcements, Recording
• All section headings are now proper VoiceOver headings (navigate with VO+Cmd+H)

Bug fixes and stability

• Fixed a crash that could occur when disconnecting during an active recording
• Fixed user mute state not persisting correctly (mute/unmute now works reliably)
• Fixed memory leaks in recording stop logic
• Fixed sandbox folder access being released too early (caused recording failures)
• Improved audio thread safety (reduced real-time thread allocations)
• Fixed potential deadlock when refreshing audio devices
• Added bounds checking in channel tree and private messages to prevent crashes

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New keyboard shortcuts (quick reference)

Shortcut	Action
Cmd+Shift+M	Mute/unmute selected user
Cmd+M	Mute/unmute master volume
Cmd+U	Adjust user volume and speaker balance
Cmd+R	Start/stop recording
Ctrl+Cmd+O	Channel operator toggle
Cmd+Shift+H	Hear myself

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Installation reminder: Same as before, the app is still unsigned. If macOS blocks it, use System Settings > Privacy & Security > Open Anyway.

Feedback welcome: Let me know how the new features work for you, especially recording and the sound packs. And as always, any bugs, VoiceOver issues, or feature requests are welcome.

Thanks everyone!

Hi everyone, thanks for the continued feedback!

@Johann — You're right, event announcements are currently grouped together which doesn't give you enough control. In the next beta, I'll add per-event customization so you can choose exactly which events get announced (logins/logouts, channel joins/leaves, messages, etc.) separately. That way you can keep what matters to you and silence the rest.

@ericwhittencool — Good question. Right now the app doesn't show account passwords when viewing user accounts, but it should — the server does provide them to admins. I'll fix that in the next beta so passwords are visible in the user accounts list and edit form, just like in the original TeamTalk client.

@Dan Eickmeier — Currently when you create a channel, the audio codec settings (including stereo/mono) are inherited from the parent channel automatically, and there's no UI to change them. I'll add codec configuration to the channel creation and editing dialogs in the next beta, so you'll be able to choose between mono and stereo, and adjust other codec settings like bitrate and sample rate.

Stay tuned for beta 5!

Hi everyone, quick update.

@Johann — Both issues you reported are fixed. The PM and Files windows will no longer reopen after you close them with Cmd+W. For recording, I've added an option in Preferences > Recording: "Automatically restart recording when joining a channel". When enabled, if you had recording active, it will automatically restart when you join or change channels, even after reconnecting. It's off by default so you can choose whether you want that behavior.

@Casey — Thanks for the detailed feedback on audio.

For the device switching issue (AirPods not detected, audio input stopping after refresh), that will be fixed in the next beta.

About echo cancellation: I have a question for you. On macOS, is VoiceOver actually attenuated when using the Qt TeamTalk client? On iOS VoiceOver is ducked automatically, but on macOS it works differently. I tried implementing Apple's native echo cancellation (Voice Processing IO), but it didn't attenuate anything, and on top of that it behaved like FaceTime — lowering the volume of all other apps. So I switched to WebRTC AEC3, which is the same engine used in Chrome and most VoIP apps. I don't think the Qt client on macOS actually attenuates VoiceOver either, so I'd like to understand what you're comparing against. Can you check whether VoiceOver is truly suppressed in the Qt client, or if it's audible there too?

Hi everyone, beta 5 is here! Lots of new features and bug fixes, many directly from your feedback. Thank you all.

Download: ttaccessible-1.0.0-beta.5-1.zip (17 MB)

What's new in beta 5

Per-event announcement customization

You can now choose exactly which events get announced. Go to Preferences > Announcements and expand "Announce system history" — you'll find individual toggles grouped by category: Connection, User Presence, Moderation, Status, Subscriptions, and Files. Enable All / Disable All buttons are included. This affects both foreground VoiceOver and background TTS/notifications. (Requested by Johann)

Channel audio codec configuration

When creating or editing a channel (F7 / Shift+F7), you can now configure the Opus codec: mono or stereo, sample rate, bitrate (kbps), and application mode (VoIP or Music). On create, defaults are inherited from the parent channel. On edit, non-exposed settings (complexity, FEC, etc.) are preserved. (Requested by Dan)

User account passwords visible

Admins can now see user account passwords in the accounts list (new Password column) and in the edit form (plain text field, matching the Qt client). The TeamTalk server provides passwords to admins — the app was previously ignoring them. (Requested by ericwhittencool)

Clickable links in chat

URLs in channel and private messages are now automatically detected and displayed as clickable links. Click to open in your default browser. Plain text clicks still select the row normally.

Copy message

Right-click on any message in channel or private chat to copy its content.

Relative timestamps

New option in Preferences > General: "Use relative timestamps". When enabled, chat messages show "2 min ago" instead of "14:32".

Bug fixes

• Fixed PM and Files windows reopening after closing with Cmd+W (reported by Johann)
• Fixed clickable links not working on received messages (only sent messages worked)
• Removed the manual "Refresh devices" button from Preferences > Audio — device detection is fully automatic via CoreAudio. The button was redundant and could cause audio input to stop working.

Recording auto-restart

New option in Preferences > Recording: "Automatically restart recording when joining a channel". When enabled, if recording was active, it will restart automatically when you join a new channel, reconnect, or relaunch the app. Off by default. (Requested by Johann)

Installation reminder

Same as before — the app is still unsigned. If macOS blocks it, use System Settings > Privacy & Security > Open Anyway.

Feedback welcome

Let me know how the new features work for you. And as always, any bugs, VoiceOver issues, or feature requests are welcome. Thanks everyone!