TapScribe
Demo

14-day free trial. No credit card required.

TapScribe documentation

Install and set up

Get TapScribe ready and make your first checked recording.

Apple Silicon · macOS 15 or later · English transcription

Before you start

You need an Apple Silicon Mac running macOS 15 or later. TapScribe transcribes English. Allow time and an internet connection for the initial speech-model download, approximately 465 MB. The Download page identifies the available installer and its requirements.

Complete setup before an important meeting. You do not need to enter card details to start the 14-day trial. Buying and activating later is explained under Trial and licence.

Before recording a sensitive conversation, check your storage and sync settings. New installations save recordings in ~/Documents/TapScribe. If iCloud’s Desktop & Documents Folders syncing is enabled, files saved there can upload to iCloud. Local transcription does not switch off that syncing. Choose and check your recording folder before your first recording.

Install TapScribe

  1. Download the installer from the Download page.
  2. Open the .dmg file.
  3. Drag TapScribe onto Applications in the installer window.
  4. Open TapScribe from Applications. Keep that installed copy as the app you launch.

If macOS rejects or cannot verify the download, stop and contact support with the message and version. Do not disable macOS security checks.

TapScribe installer showing the app and Applications folder with a drag arrow

Complete the five setup steps

1. Welcome

TapScribe explains where your recordings live and how local transcription works. Choose Continue.

TapScribe welcome screen explaining local transcription and files you control

2. Set up English transcription

Download and prepare the speech model, or continue if it is already ready. Keep the app open and the Mac connected. Preparation can continue after the download completes.

Transcription setup showing the English model already installed and ready

A new installation first offers the approximately 465 MB download. If the model is installed, setup shows it as ready.

3. Allow meeting audio

Allow microphone and Mac audio access. Use Allow microphone and Allow Mac audio as needed. If macOS asks you to quit and reopen the app, do so and continue setup.

TapScribe permission step with microphone ready and Allow Mac audio

Microphone access may already be allowed. macOS permission prompts vary with your version of macOS.

4. Check both audio sources

Say a short sentence for Me, then choose Play test sound for Them. Confirm that both sources respond before continuing.

Audio Check waiting for microphone speech and the Mac test sound

Continue becomes available after the required audio checks succeed.

5. Review your preferences

Check for updates automatically starts on for new users. TapScribe checks every seven days while it is running; you choose when to download and install. Open TapScribe when I log in starts off and is optional. You can change both choices later in Settings. Choose Open Library when ready.

Final setup screen with automatic update checks selected and open at login unselected

These two meters check audio sources, not individual people’s identities. See Permissions and audio if either source is missing.

Make a short test recording

Choose Record meeting in the Library. Say a few words and play a short piece of speech on the Mac. Stop the recording, wait for transcription to finish, then select it in the Library and listen back. Confirm that your voice and the Mac audio are present. This is also a useful check after changing a microphone or headphones.

Continue with Record a meeting.