diff --git a/lib/features/chat/services/voice_input_service.dart b/lib/features/chat/services/voice_input_service.dart
index dbee34e..6e2f070 100644
--- a/lib/features/chat/services/voice_input_service.dart
+++ b/lib/features/chat/services/voice_input_service.dart
@@ -250,6 +250,20 @@ class VoiceInputService {
     return _textStreamController!.stream;
   }
 
+  /// Centralized entry point to begin voice recognition.
+  /// Ensures initialization and microphone permission before starting.
+  Future<Stream<String>> beginListening() async {
+    // Ensure service is ready
+    await initialize();
+    // Ensure microphone permission (triggers OS prompt if needed)
+    final hasMic = await checkPermissions();
+    if (!hasMic) {
+      throw Exception('Microphone permission not granted');
+    }
+    // Start listening and return the transcript stream
+    return startListening();
+  }
+
   Future<void> stopListening() async {
     await _stopListening();
   }
diff --git a/lib/features/chat/views/chat_page.dart b/lib/features/chat/views/chat_page.dart
index 12ef90e..c11fab0 100644
--- a/lib/features/chat/views/chat_page.dart
+++ b/lib/features/chat/views/chat_page.dart
@@ -1998,16 +1998,11 @@ class _VoiceInputSheetState extends ConsumerState<_VoiceInputSheet> {
     );
 
     try {
-      // Ensure service is initialized (local STT will request permissions itself)
+      // Ensure service is initialized
       final ok = await _voiceService.initialize();
       if (!ok) {
         throw Exception('Voice service unavailable');
       }
-      // Only check mic permission when falling back to recording
-      if (!_voiceService.hasLocalStt) {
-        final mic = await _voiceService.checkPermissions();
-        if (!mic) throw Exception('Microphone permission not granted');
-      }
 
       // Start elapsed timer for UX
       _elapsedTimer?.cancel();
@@ -2019,7 +2014,8 @@ class _VoiceInputSheetState extends ConsumerState<_VoiceInputSheet> {
         setState(() => _elapsedSeconds += 1);
       });
 
-      final stream = _voiceService.startListening();
+      // Centralized permission + start
+      final stream = await _voiceService.beginListening();
       _intensitySub = _voiceService.intensityStream.listen((value) {
         if (!mounted) return;
         setState(() => _intensity = value);
diff --git a/lib/features/chat/widgets/modern_chat_input.dart b/lib/features/chat/widgets/modern_chat_input.dart
index 5c5ea40..b2ac0a9 100644
--- a/lib/features/chat/widgets/modern_chat_input.dart
+++ b/lib/features/chat/widgets/modern_chat_input.dart
@@ -1150,22 +1150,12 @@ class _ModernChatInputState extends ConsumerState<ModernChatInput>
         );
         return;
       }
-      if (!_voiceService.hasLocalStt) {
-        final mic = await _voiceService.checkPermissions();
-        if (!mic) {
-          _showVoiceUnavailable(
-            AppLocalizations.of(context)?.errorMessage ??
-                'Microphone permission required',
-          );
-          return;
-        }
-      }
+      // Centralized permission + start
+      final stream = await _voiceService.beginListening();
       setState(() {
         _isRecording = true;
         _baseTextAtStart = _controller.text;
       });
-
-      final stream = _voiceService.startListening();
       _intensitySub?.cancel();
       _intensitySub = _voiceService.intensityStream.listen((value) {
         if (!mounted) return;