diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index d61e3cf..b206347 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -361,7 +361,7 @@ clipboard_timeout = "3s"
 
 **Injection Backends:**
 
-- **`ydotool`**: Uses ydotool (requires `ydotoold` daemon). Most compatible with Chromium/Electron apps.
+- **`ydotool`**: Uses ydotool (requires `ydotoold` daemon for ydotool v1.0.0+). Most compatible with Chromium/Electron apps.
 - **`wtype`**: Uses wtype for Wayland. May have issues with some Chromium-based apps (known upstream bug).
 - **`clipboard`**: Copies text to clipboard only. Most reliable, but requires manual paste.
 
@@ -385,7 +385,7 @@ backends = ["ydotool"]
 
 **ydotool Setup:**
 
-ydotool requires the `ydotoold` daemon running and access to `/dev/uinput`:
+ydotool requires the `ydotoold` daemon running (for ydotool v1.0.0+) and access to `/dev/uinput`:
 
 ```bash
 # Start ydotool daemon (systemd)
diff --git a/cmd/hyprvoice/main.go b/cmd/hyprvoice/main.go
index 1f6117d..e372f5b 100644
--- a/cmd/hyprvoice/main.go
+++ b/cmd/hyprvoice/main.go
@@ -314,7 +314,7 @@ func runInteractiveConfig() error {
 		fmt.Println("⌨️  Text Injection Configuration")
 		fmt.Println("--------------------------------")
 		fmt.Println("Backends are tried in order until one succeeds (fallback chain):")
-		fmt.Println("  - ydotool:   Best for Chromium/Electron apps (requires ydotoold daemon)")
+		fmt.Println("  - ydotool:   Best for Chromium/Electron apps (requires ydotoold daemon for ydotool v1.0.0+)")
 		fmt.Println("  - wtype:     Native Wayland typing (may fail on some Chromium apps)")
 		fmt.Println("  - clipboard: Copies to clipboard only (most reliable, needs manual paste)")
 		fmt.Println()
@@ -621,7 +621,7 @@ func saveConfig(cfg *config.Config) error {
   clipboard_timeout = "%s"     # Timeout for clipboard operations
 
 # Backend explanations:
-# - "ydotool": Uses ydotool (requires ydotoold daemon running). Most compatible with Chromium/Electron apps.
+# - "ydotool": Uses ydotool (requires ydotoold daemon running for ydotool v1.0.0+). Most compatible with Chromium/Electron apps.
 # - "wtype": Uses wtype for Wayland. May have issues with some Chromium-based apps.
 # - "clipboard": Copies text to clipboard only (most reliable, but requires manual paste).
 #
diff --git a/internal/config/config.go b/internal/config/config.go
index 9ad9e1c..0983b42 100644
--- a/internal/config/config.go
+++ b/internal/config/config.go
@@ -461,7 +461,7 @@ func SaveDefaultConfig() error {
   #     body = "🔧"
 
 # Backend explanations:
-# - "ydotool": Uses ydotool (requires ydotoold daemon running). Most compatible with Chromium/Electron apps.
+# - "ydotool": Uses ydotool (requires ydotoold daemon running for ydotool v1.0.0+). Most compatible with Chromium/Electron apps.
 # - "wtype": Uses wtype for Wayland. May have issues with some Chromium-based apps.
 # - "clipboard": Copies text to clipboard only (most reliable, but requires manual paste).
 #
diff --git a/internal/injection/ydotool.go b/internal/injection/ydotool.go
index 0398457..23258be 100644
--- a/internal/injection/ydotool.go
+++ b/internal/injection/ydotool.go
@@ -25,18 +25,19 @@ func (y *ydotoolBackend) Available() error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("ydotool not found: %w (install ydotool package)", err)
 	}
 
-	// Check if ydotoold is running by checking socket
-	socketPath := y.getSocketPath()
-	if socketPath == "" {
-		return fmt.Errorf("ydotoold socket not found - ensure ydotoold is running")
-	}
+	// Only check socket if ydotoold exists
+	if _, err := exec.LookPath("ydotoold"); err == nil {
+		socketPath := y.getSocketPath()
+		if socketPath == "" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("ydotoold socket not found - ensure ydotoold is running")
+		}
 
-	// Try to connect to verify daemon is responsive
-	conn, err := net.DialTimeout("unix", socketPath, 500*time.Millisecond)
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("ydotoold not responding at %s: %w", socketPath, err)
+		conn, err := net.DialTimeout("unix", socketPath, 500*time.Millisecond)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("ydotoold not responding at %s: %w", socketPath, err)
+		}
+		conn.Close()
 	}
-	conn.Close()
 
 	return nil
 }