NoteOwl documentation
Last updated Checked against NoteOwl 1.0.0
NoteOwl is a Mac app for private AI meeting notes and memory: it records meetings without a bot joining the call, writes the notes on your Mac, and lets you dictate into any app with the fn key. These docs explain how each part works and how to fix it when something doesn't.
What does NoteOwl do?
NoteOwl turns meetings, voice notes and dictation into transcripts, summaries and a memory you can search and ask questions of. The speech recognition and the AI run on your Mac, so your recordings stay on it, and everything works offline after a one-time model download.
| What you can do | Free | NoteOwl Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Dictate into any app with fn | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Keep voice notes, and view, edit and export your own transcripts | Yes | Yes |
| Record meetings, with speaker labels, summaries and action items | — | Yes |
| Import audio and video files to transcribe | — | Yes |
| Chat with your meetings and notes, People and Commitments | — | Yes |
Free and NoteOwl Pro use the same on-device AI models. NoteOwl Pro is a one-time purchase for one Mac, and you can try it for 7 days inside the app, with no card.
NoteOwl needs:
- macOS 26 or later
- a Mac with Apple Silicon (M1 or newer)
- 16 GB memory minimum, 24 GB recommended
How are the docs organised?
The docs are grouped by task. Each article answers one question, gives the answer first, and lists the steps in the order you do them. App buttons and menu names are written in bold, exactly as NoteOwl shows them.
- Getting started: what's free and what Pro adds, and your first ten minutes.
- Dictation: typing with your voice in any app, using the fn key, and the tone for each app.
- Meetings: recording a call, summaries and action items, and recovering a meeting after a crash.
- Chat and memory: asking questions about your meetings.
- Your data and privacy: what NoteOwl sends over the network, and deleting your data.
- Pro, trial and licensing: the free trial and moving NoteOwl Pro to a replacement Mac.
- Troubleshooting: what to do when something doesn't work, starting from what you see.
- Reference: keyboard shortcuts, permissions and system requirements.
Quick start: your first ten minutes
Dictate into any app, record a meeting, then ask a question about it.
What's free and what's in NoteOwl Pro
Unlimited dictation is free. Pro adds meetings, summaries, memory and Chat.
Dictate into any app with the fn key
Tap fn, talk, and tap fn again. Your words type at the cursor, in any app.
The fn key doesn't start dictation
Turn on Input Monitoring for NoteOwl, then quit and reopen it.
Where can I get help?
If your question isn't answered here, email support@noteowl.ai. Say what you were doing and what NoteOwl showed on screen, and include your macOS version. The support page also lists common fixes.