We present a dispersive representation of the $$\eta '$$
η
′
transition form factor that allows one to account, in a consistent way, for the effects of $$\rho $$
ρ
–$$\omega $$
ω
mixing in both the isoscalar and the isovector contributions. Using this formalism, we analyze recent data on $$\eta '\rightarrow \pi ^+\pi ^-\gamma $$
η
′
→
π
+
π
-
γ
to constrain the isovector part of the form factor, individually and in combination with data for the pion vector form factor, which suggests a tension in the $$\rho $$
ρ
–$$\omega $$
ω
mixing parameter. As a first application, we use our results, in combination with the most recent input for the isoscalar part of the form factor, to predict the corresponding spectrum of $$\eta '\rightarrow \ell ^+\ell ^-\gamma $$
η
′
→
ℓ
+
ℓ
-
γ
, in particular we find the slope parameter $$b_{\eta '}=1.455(24)\,\text {GeV}^{-2}$$
b
η
′
=
1.455
(
24
)
GeV
-
2
. With forthcoming data on the latter process, our results establish the necessary framework to improve the evaluation of the $$\eta '$$
η
′
-pole contribution to the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon using experimental input from both $$\eta '$$
η
′
decay channels.