# Storage and privacy

Choose recording locations and understand exports, backups and sync.

## Two folders with different jobs

**Settings → Storage** controls the recording library, including retained audio and transcript files. **Settings → Workflow** controls a separate destination for exported Markdown copies. Changing one does not configure the other.

For a notes system that needs text only, keep the recording library separate and set the notes folder under Workflow. This avoids putting large recordings into the notes destination. Check both locations for sync or backup services before storing a sensitive conversation.

## Check the default folders

New installations use these defaults:

| Purpose | Default folder |
| --- | --- |
| Original recordings, audio and transcripts | `~/Documents/TapScribe` |
| Markdown copies, when automatic export is enabled | `~/Documents/TapScribe Workflow` |

The `~` means your Mac user folder. An older installation may retain a different recording location; **Settings → Storage** shows the folder your copy of TapScribe is actually using.

**Documents may already sync to iCloud.** If iCloud Drive's **Desktop & Documents Folders** option is enabled, new files in Documents can upload automatically. This applies to TapScribe's default folders even if you never change them. Check that option in macOS System Settings and review [Apple's explanation of Desktop and Documents syncing](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/109344).

If a conversation must stay off cloud storage, choose a recording folder outside every location your sync services watch, and check your backup settings too. Choose the Workflow destination separately if you use exports. TapScribe transcribing on the Mac does not prevent other software from uploading its files.

## Change the recording location

1. Finish active recording and processing work.
2. Open **Settings → Storage** and review the current location.
3. Choose **Change…** and select an accessible, writable folder.
4. Inspect the Library after switching. Choose **Reveal in Finder** to check the location.

Changing this setting switches the active library; it does not migrate recordings from the old location. An apparently empty Library may simply be a different folder. Return to the earlier folder to see its recordings. **Restore Default** changes the selected location back to the app's default.

## Reconnect unavailable storage

If a drive or folder is unavailable, reconnect it and choose **Try Again**, or use **Locate…** to locate the intended folder. Do not delete the old folder to solve a missing-library message. Keep a backup before moving recording folders manually.

## Keep control of copies

Transcription runs on the Mac after model setup. Initial model downloads, licence activation/revalidation and update checks have separate network requirements. See the [privacy page](/privacy/) for the product's data boundary.

A folder inside iCloud, Dropbox or another synced location can upload recordings or exports through that provider. Other apps can also upload text you paste into them. Choosing a local folder does not protect it from other backup or sync software you have configured.

The Library contains ordinary audio, transcript and metadata files. Keep access to your Mac and those folders appropriate for the conversation. Before relying on a backup, check that it includes complete recording folders and that you can restore a copy. Do not test a restore by overwriting your only working Library.

## Delete deliberately

Deleting an original recording does not remove Markdown exports, pasted text, synced copies or backups. Review those destinations separately when you need to remove a conversation. Keep files together when backing up and check a restore before relying on the backup.

Source: https://tapscribe.app/docs/storage-and-privacy/

Download and requirements: https://tapscribe.app/download/