A Source Isn't Showing Up in Echo

Echo supports a specific set of sources: Spotify, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, and SoundCloud natively on macOS, plus YouTube, Spotify Web, SoundCloud, and general web audio or video through the companion browser extension. If a source is missing from Echo's history or now-playing display, work through the steps below in order.

How Do I Get a Source to Show Up in Echo?

1. Confirm the source is one Echo supports. Echo works with a defined set of apps and sites. If you are trying to track something outside that list, such as a radio app or a streaming service not mentioned above, Echo cannot capture it at this time. Check the full list on the Echo product page before going further.
2. Check that the source is enabled. Open Echo from the menu bar and go to Sources in the settings. Each supported source has its own toggle. If the toggle for your app or site is off, Echo deliberately ignores it. Switch it on, then play something and wait a moment.
3. Make sure the app is actually running. For native sources (Spotify, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud), the app itself must be open and playing. Echo reads from the app directly, so if the app is closed or paused with nothing queued, there is nothing for Echo to capture.
4. For browser sources, install and enable the companion extension. YouTube, Spotify Web, SoundCloud in the browser, and any other web audio or video all require the Echo browser extension to be installed and active. Without it, Echo cannot see what is playing in the browser. See the section below on checking your extension.
5. Check that Echo has the permissions it needs. On macOS, Echo requires Accessibility access to detect playback from native apps. If this permission was denied or revoked, open System Settings, go to Privacy and Security, then Accessibility, and confirm Echo is listed and enabled. See the permissions guide for a walkthrough.
6. Restart Echo. Click the Echo icon in the menu bar, quit the app, and relaunch it. If a permission was recently granted, Echo sometimes needs a fresh start before it takes effect.

What If the Browser Extension Isn't Working?

Browser sources depend entirely on the companion extension. Here is how to check it:

• Open your browser's extensions or add-ons panel and confirm the Echo extension is installed.
• Make sure the extension is toggled on, not paused or disabled.
• Check that the extension has permission to run on the site you are visiting. Some browsers ask for per-site approval.
• Try reloading the tab after confirming the extension is active.

If you have just installed the extension, you may need to reload any already-open tabs before Echo can see them. Full details are in the extension troubleshooting guide.

Still Not Showing Up?

If you have worked through all of the above and a source is still missing, get in touch at support@theodorehq.com with a note of which source is affected and what macOS version you are running. Include whether you are using the native app or the browser version of the source, and whether the extension is installed. That information helps narrow things down quickly.