Use NoteOwl offline

NoteOwl works without an internet connection once its on-device AI models have downloaded. Dictation, meetings, summaries, Chat, search and an activated NoteOwl Pro licence all keep working offline, because NoteOwl does all of it on your Mac.

Does NoteOwl work offline?Copy Anchor Link

Yes, after the one-time download of its on-device AI models. NoteOwl records, transcribes, summarizes and answers questions on your Mac, so none of it waits on a server. Only a few things need a connection, such as that first download and buying NoteOwl Pro.

What works offline?Copy Anchor Link

Everything you do with your recordings. With the models downloaded, you can turn off Wi-Fi and use all of these:

What needs an internet connection?Copy Anchor Link

The first model download, app updates, and anything to do with your account or licence. Your recordings never need one.

• The one-time download of the on-device AI models, about 8 GB, downloaded once after install (keep around 10 GB free). If you chose Skip — download on first use during setup, the models download the first time a feature needs them, and that first use needs a connection.
• Apple's on-device language assets, once, if your Mac doesn't already have them. macOS downloads them the first time NoteOwl indexes your notes for search. Without them, search still works.
• Checking for and downloading app updates. Offline, NoteOwl can't check for updates and keeps working as it is.
• Signing in, starting the trial, buying NoteOwl Pro, and activating or replacing a Mac. These go through NoteOwl's licensing service. Buying happens in your web browser.

For the full list of what NoteOwl sends and when, see what NoteOwl sends over the network.

Get NoteOwl ready to use offlineCopy Anchor Link

Do this once, while you're still online, before a flight or anywhere without a connection.

1. Open NoteOwl while you're connected to the internet.
2. If you're setting NoteOwl up, click Download now at the model download step and wait until it says Model installed — you're ready to go.
3. If you chose Skip — download on first use instead, use the features you'll need once while you're online: dictate with fn, record a short meeting and ask Chat a question. Each downloads what it needs.
4. If you've bought NoteOwl Pro, make sure this Mac is activated: click the … menu next to your name at the bottom of the sidebar, choose License…, and click Activate this Mac if this Mac isn't activated yet.
5. Turn off Wi-Fi and try what you'll use: dictate a sentence, and on NoteOwl Pro, ask Chat a question. If both work, NoteOwl is ready to use offline.

What happens to the licence check when I'm offline?Copy Anchor Link

Nothing. NoteOwl verifies your NoteOwl Pro licence on your Mac, so it keeps working offline for as long as you like. At most once every 7 days, when NoteOwl opens, it asks whether your licence has been revoked. If it can't connect, it tries again a week later.

The check sends only your licence's identifier, never anything you recorded.

Does Chat work offline?Copy Anchor Link

Yes. NoteOwl Chat finds the passages and writes its answer on your Mac, with on-device AI models, so it works with Wi-Fi off. Answers still show the passages they used, and your questions never leave your Mac.

The same goes for Search everything and asking out loud with ⌥Z: see ask your memory out loud from any app.

Common questions

Does NoteOwl Pro stop working if I stay offline?

No. NoteOwl checks an activated NoteOwl Pro licence on your Mac, so NoteOwl Pro keeps working offline for as long as you like. If the weekly licence check can't reach NoteOwl's licensing service, nothing changes.

Can I start the NoteOwl Pro trial or activate a Mac offline?

No. Starting the NoteOwl Pro trial, buying NoteOwl Pro and activating a Mac all need an internet connection, because they go through NoteOwl's licensing service. Once the trial has started or the Mac is activated, NoteOwl works offline.

Can NoteOwl take notes on a video call without internet?

The call itself needs the internet, but NoteOwl doesn't. NoteOwl records your microphone and your Mac's audio and writes the transcript and summary on your Mac, so no part of the note-taking waits on a connection.