Questions about recording and transcribing calls on a Mac
Every question answered across the blog, in one place. Each answer links to the post it comes from.
How Transcriber works, from audio tap to transcript file
Does it work with every app?
With every app that plays audio through the Mac. Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, WhatsApp, FaceTime, a call in a browser tab and a YouTube video are all the same to it.
Why does it need two permissions?
Microphone for your side and System Audio Recording for the other side. Without the second one, the far end of the call would be missing from the transcript.
How big is the model download?
About one gigabyte, downloaded once on the first recording or up front in Settings. It contains Parakeet for transcription, Silero for voice detection and pyannote for speaker separation.
What happens if the Mac crashes during a call?
The transcript is written to disk after every segment, so everything up to the crash is already saved. On the next launch Transcriber offers to finish the session.
Can I get subtitles or JSON out of it?
Yes. Markdown is always written, JSON and SRT are optional exports in Settings, and the raw audio can be kept as WAV files.
Is an Intel Mac enough?
macOS 14.2 is the requirement. The transcription models run much better on Apple Silicon, so that is what I recommend.
How to record a Zoom call on a Mac and get a transcript
Does Zoom have to be set to record for this to work?
No. Transcriber listens to what your Mac plays and what your microphone hears, so it doesn't matter whether Zoom's own recording is on, off, or locked by the host.
Will the other person be transcribed as well?
Yes. The far end comes in through your Mac's audio output and is captured as its own channel, so their words land in the transcript with a separate speaker label.
Does any audio leave my Mac?
No. Transcription runs on your machine with a downloaded model. The only network access is the one-time download of that model and the update check against GitHub.
Which macOS version do I need?
macOS 14.2 or newer, because that's where Apple added the audio tap that makes recording another app's sound possible. An Apple Silicon Mac is recommended.
Is it legal to record a call?
That depends on where you and the other people are. In many places, including Germany, recording without consent is a crime. Tell everyone before you press record.
What leaves your Mac when Transcriber records a call
Does the audio ever go to a server?
No. Recording and transcription both happen on your Mac. The audio files stay in the folder you chose, or are deleted after the call if you turned off keeping audio.
Which network connections does the app make?
Two. The one-time download of the transcription models, and a check for new versions against GitHub, once a day by default. Both can be seen in the app log.
Do I need an account?
No account, no login, no email address. Download the app, grant the two permissions, record.
Where are transcripts stored?
In a folder you pick in Settings, one subfolder per recording. Your sync tool decides where they go from there, the app does not upload anything.
Can I use it under GDPR?
The app itself sends no personal data anywhere, which removes the usual processor question. Recording a conversation still needs a legal basis and the consent of the participants, that part is yours.
Is the code public?
Yes, the source is on GitHub, so every claim on this page can be checked against the code.