What NoteOwl sends over the network
Last updated Checked against NoteOwl 1.0.0
NoteOwl goes online for four things: the one-time download of its on-device AI models, checking for app updates, and, if you use the trial or NoteOwl Pro, signing in with your email and checking your licence. Your recordings, transcripts, notes, memory and Chat conversations never leave your Mac.
When does NoteOwl use the internet?
Only for the connections in the table below. If you use NoteOwl Free without signing in, it makes just three of them: the model download, Apple's language assets if your Mac needs them, and update checks. The rest start only once you sign in for the trial or NoteOwl Pro.
| Connection | When | What's sent | Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Download of the on-device AI models | Once: during setup when you click Download now, or the first time a feature needs a model if you chose Skip — download on first use | Requests for the model files. Nothing of yours | Free and Pro |
| Apple's on-device language assets | Once, only if your Mac doesn't already have them, the first time NoteOwl indexes your notes for search. macOS downloads them from Apple | Nothing of yours | Free and Pro |
| Update check | About once a day while NoteOwl is running, and whenever you choose NoteOwl → Check for Updates… | A request to www.noteowl.ai for the list of NoteOwl versions. No personal data | Free and Pro |
| Update download | Only when you choose to install an update | Nothing of yours. The new version downloads from www.noteowl.ai | Free and Pro |
| Sign-in | When you type your email address to start the trial, buy NoteOwl Pro or activate a Mac | Your email address, then the code NoteOwl emails you | Trial and Pro |
| Account and licence requests | While you're signed in: when NoteOwl opens, when you open License… or a NoteOwl Pro screen, and when you start the trial, buy, activate or replace a Mac, or delete your account | Your sign-in session and an identifier created on this Mac. Activating or replacing a Mac also sends this Mac's name | Trial and Pro |
| Payment check | After you click Buy NoteOwl Pro: when you switch back to NoteOwl, and for up to 15 minutes | Your sign-in session | Pro |
| Licence status check | At most once every 7 days, when NoteOwl opens on a Mac with an activated NoteOwl Pro licence | Only your licence's identifier | Pro |
| Trial feedback | Only if you answer Your trial has ended and click Send | The reason you picked and anything you typed | Trial |
The model download is about 8 GB, downloaded once after install (keep around 10 GB free). The model files come from the servers that host them. Sign-in goes to NoteOwl's sign-in service, and your account and licence to NoteOwl's licensing service. Buying NoteOwl Pro happens in your web browser, on the payment page NoteOwl opens for you, and so do links such as Contact Support.
What does NoteOwl never send?
Anything you record or write. Your audio, transcripts, summaries, action items, people, notes, vocabulary, templates, Chat questions and answers, and everything in NoteOwl's memory stay on your Mac. None of the connections above has a place to carry them.
Your calendar and contacts are read on your Mac too, if you allow them, and NoteOwl never sends them anywhere. The app has no analytics, no telemetry and no advertising.
Does a failed licence check turn off NoteOwl Pro?
No. NoteOwl verifies your licence on your Mac, so NoteOwl Pro keeps working offline. The weekly status check only asks whether your licence has been revoked. If the check fails or can't run, nothing changes.
Can I turn off update checks?
Not in NoteOwl's own settings in 1.0.0. Update checks send no personal data, and NoteOwl never downloads or installs an update until you choose to. You can check by hand at any time with NoteOwl → Check for Updates….
Common questions
Does NoteOwl upload my recordings or transcripts?
No. NoteOwl records, transcribes, summarizes and answers questions on your Mac. Your audio, transcripts, summaries, notes, memory and Chat conversations are never sent to NoteOwl or anyone else.
Does NoteOwl work offline?
Yes, once its on-device AI models have downloaded. Dictation, meetings, summaries and Chat all work with no connection. Starting the trial, buying NoteOwl Pro and activating a Mac need one, but an activated NoteOwl Pro licence keeps working offline.
Does the NoteOwl app collect analytics?
No. The NoteOwl app has no analytics or telemetry. If it crashes, it writes a report to a folder on your Mac, and it's only sent if you choose to email it to support.
Where NoteOwl stores your data
NoteOwl keeps your recordings, transcripts, notes and memory in one folder on your Mac, never on its servers. Open it from Settings with Show in Finder.
Use NoteOwl offline
Once its on-device AI models have downloaded, NoteOwl works with no internet connection, including dictation, meetings, Chat and a NoteOwl Pro licence.