1
Download and install
Install the Mac app from the download page, then open Transcrio from the macOS menu bar.
Help
Help & setup for Transcrio on Mac
Set up the menu bar app, allow the right macOS permissions, record calls or local audio, and understand where files, minutes, offline recovery, transcript, and summary fit into the workflow.
First Run
The full path in 6 steps
2
Sign in with email
Click Continue with email in the app, confirm the sign-in link in your browser, then return to Transcrio.
3
Allow macOS permissions
Allow Microphone and Screen Recording when macOS asks. Screen Recording is the macOS permission Transcrio needs to capture system audio from calls and apps.
4
Confirm recording notice
Before the first recording, confirm that you gave the notices and got the consents required for your situation. You only need to confirm this once.
5
Start and stop recording
Start recording from the menu bar when the call or work session begins. Stop when it ends, or let Transcrio stop automatically if your available minutes run out.
6
Find the local files
Your session folder stays on your Mac. If transcription and summary are enabled, Transcrio saves those files there after processing finishes.
What Transcrio asks for and why
macOS controls local audio capture through system permissions. Transcrio asks only for the permissions needed to record your microphone and the audio playing on your Mac.
Microphone
Used to record your voice or the local microphone you selected in Settings. Choose the input you normally use for calls so your side of the conversation is clear.
Screen Recording
Used by macOS to let Transcrio record the sound playing on your Mac, including calls, browser tabs, videos, and other apps. The permission name mentions the screen, but Transcrio uses it for audio.
System Settings
If you deny a permission, open macOS System Settings, allow access for Transcrio, then fully quit and reopen the app if macOS asks for a restart.
Files and Privacy
Your Mac is the source of truth
By default, sessions are saved under Documents in a dated Transcrio folder. The output folder you choose is where you should expect to find the recording, transcript, summary, and session note.
Processing and Minutes
Transcription spends minutes
Your first sign-in starts a 15-minute, 7-day trial. Minutes are used when a recording is sent for transcription. If access is expired or minutes reach zero, new recording and new transcription are blocked until access is active again.
Offline and Pending Uploads
Recording comes first
If the network is unavailable, the recording still saves locally. Transcrio can queue the upload, retry later, and show Retry now in the menu bar. Keep the original recording in place until the pending upload finishes.
Settings
Choose how much processing you want
Transcribe after recording
When enabled, Transcrio sends the recording for transcription after Stop. When disabled, the recording stays on your Mac and does not spend minutes.
Generate summary after transcription
When enabled, Transcrio creates a summary after the transcript is ready. If disabled, Transcrio saves the transcript and skips the summary.
Ask for call details after transcription
When enabled, Transcrio can ask for optional title, description, and speaker names before the summary is created.
Mac App Settings
Controls you may want after the first run
Output folder
Choose where new session folders are saved. This is the folder to check first when you need the recording, transcript, or note.
Microphone
Use the system default microphone or pick a specific input device if you record through a headset, external mic, or audio interface.
Launch at login
Start Transcrio when you sign in to your Mac, so the menu bar recorder is ready before calls begin.
Keep separate mic/system source files
Keep separate microphone and Mac-audio files next to the merged recording. Turn it off if you only want the main stereo recording after a successful session.
Prevent Mac sleep during recording
Keep your Mac awake while recording. This helps avoid interruptions on long calls, although some system sleep events can still stop capture.
App Updates
Transcrio can check for updates and download a new disk image. Open it and replace the app in Applications when you are ready.
Files
What each saved file is for
The exact files depend on your settings and whether transcription and summary finish successfully. These are the files most users need to recognize.
recording_stereo.m4a
The main recording file. It combines your microphone and the sound from your Mac into one audio file.
raw_mic.m4a and raw_system.m4a
Separate source files for your microphone and Mac audio, saved when the separate-files setting is enabled.
transcript.txt
The readable transcript, created when transcription is enabled and finishes successfully.
summary.txt
The summary, created when summary generation is enabled.
session_note.txt
A practical note that can include title, description, speaker names, summary, and transcript in one text file.
Summary Instructions
Make summaries fit the way you work
Transcrio includes built-in summary instructions. On Pro and Power, you can edit the default instructions in the Mac app so new summaries follow your preferred structure, tone, and sections.
Built-in instructions
If you do not change anything, Transcrio uses the built-in summary style for each new recording.
Custom instructions
Pro and Power can save custom instructions once in Settings and reuse them for future summaries.
Works with call details
Title, description, and speaker names give the summary better context without making those fields required.
Call Details
Help the note use names instead of Speaker A
After the transcript is ready, Transcrio can ask for optional details before creating the summary. This is useful because Transcrio does not join the call as a bot. It only has the recording and the transcript, so it can separate voices but cannot know the meeting name or who each person is.
You can save without details, fill only the fields you know, or add everything. If you leave speaker names empty, the transcript and note can still use labels like Speaker A and Speaker B. If you add names, the summary, session note, and text you share with another AI tool are easier to understand.
Title
Name the recording in a way you will recognize later, such as “Client onboarding call” or “Weekly product sync”.
Description
Add a short note about the context if it helps: what the call was about, the project, customer, topic, or goal.
Speaker names
Transcrio can tell different voices apart, but it does not know who those people are. Naming Speaker A or Speaker B makes the transcript and note easier to read.
Example phrases
For each detected speaker, Transcrio shows a few short lines from the transcript so you can match the voice label to the right person.
Recording Safeguards
What happens when a session cannot keep going
Out of minutes
If your available minutes run out during a recording, Transcrio stops the recording, saves what was captured, and guides you to upgrade or buy more minutes.
6-hour maximum
One continuous recording can run for up to 6 hours. At that point, Transcrio stops automatically and keeps the captured part.
Interrupted capture
If an audio device is disconnected or macOS stops audio capture, Transcrio finalizes the part already recorded so you can still use it.
Call reminders
Transcrio may show a gentle reminder when it looks like a call started. It never starts recording by itself.
Troubleshooting
When something does not finish
Sign-in link does not finish
Start sign-in from the Mac app, use the newest email link, and return to Transcrio after the browser confirms the sign-in.
Asked to sign in again
Sign in again from the Mac app. Your saved recordings stay in your output folder, and waiting uploads can continue after access is restored.
System audio is missing
Check Screen Recording permission for Transcrio in macOS System Settings. That permission is required for audio coming from other apps.
Upload is pending
Keep the original recording file in place, reconnect to the internet, and use Retry now from the menu bar if the upload is waiting.
Source file is missing
If the original recording was moved or deleted before upload finished, Transcrio cannot finish that waiting transcription.
Transcript or summary is not ready
Long recordings can take time to upload and transcribe. If summaries are turned off, Transcrio saves the transcript and does not create a summary.
Recording was interrupted
If macOS or an audio device stops capture unexpectedly, Transcrio keeps the part that was already recorded. Open the session folder and contact support if it happens again.
Out of minutes or expired
You keep local files already saved on your Mac, but new recording and new transcription require active trial or paid access with available minutes.
FAQ
Common questions
The setup, recording, files, minutes, billing, and support answers people usually need while getting started.
Support
Product help
For app issues, transcription problems, missing files, or general product questions, email team@support.transcrio.com.
Billing
Refunds and invoices
Payments are managed through Paddle. For invoices, payment methods, cancellation, or refund requests, use your Paddle email, the billing controls in Transcrio, or visit paddle.net.
Privacy
Privacy requests
Privacy questions, access requests, correction requests, deletion requests, and complaints also go to team@support.transcrio.com. The full handling process is described in the Privacy Policy.