Offline, on-device transcription: private speech to text
Some recordings shouldn't leave your device: medical notes, legal conversations, sources, personal diaries. On-device transcription turns them into text without uploading anything.
How it works
Modern iPhones, iPads and Macs have neural engines fast enough to run speech recognition locally. In Transcription, choosing on-device means the audio is decoded and recognized by your device's own processor. No upload, no server, no internet connection required.
When to use on-device vs online
| On-device | Online (server) | |
|---|---|---|
| Internet needed | No | Yes |
| Audio leaves the device | Never | Uploaded for processing |
| Best for | Confidential audio, flights, roaming | Maximum accuracy, long and noisy files |
| Limits | Unlimited with PRO | 10, 20 or 40 h/month with PRO |
How to transcribe offline
- Open Transcription and record, or import a file.
- Choose the language and select On-device.
- Keep the app open for the fastest result on long files; you can watch progress as it goes.
Live dictation
On-device dictation turns speech into text as you talk, with no delay and no connection. It's perfect for drafting, journaling or capturing ideas while walking.
Privacy beyond transcription
You decide what syncs. Transcripts you keep local stay on the device. If you later connect an AI assistant, it only sees your own account and you can disconnect it at any time. On a Mac, agents can even read transcripts through a local server without going online.
FAQ
Is on-device as accurate as online?
Server transcription is usually more accurate, especially with noise, accents and several speakers, and adds richer punctuation. On-device is very good for clear speech and is the right choice when privacy or connectivity matters most.
Is on-device transcription unlimited?
With PRO, yes: on-device transcription and dictation have no hourly limit.
