Help, troubleshooting & release status

These instructions match Votel 1.0 build 24 on TestFlight. App Store review is in progress; public release has not started.

First launch and sound permissions

1. Read the first-use privacy prompt and choose online processing or local recording. Choose What to Record; Mic + System Audio is the initial default, and either source can be selected alone.

2. Allow only the selected sources. When both are selected, microphone comes first, followed by system audio. Use Open System Settings if offered. If macOS asks to quit and reopen, let it do so; the selected source and unfinished setup resume. Recording does not start automatically.

3. Choose the spoken and translated languages, then press Start Recording & Captions or Space. Use Finish and Save Recording (the square Stop button) when done. Open Recording History to replay or export M4A audio and original/translated TXT.

A one-minute check before a call

• Sound around you: choose Microphone.
• Sound played on your Mac: choose System Audio, for example a video or the other side of a call.
• Your voice and Mac audio: choose Microphone & System Audio. Headphones can reduce speaker sound being picked up again by the microphone.

Set the microphone and speakers separately in your meeting app. Votel does not change those settings or send the translation to other participants as speech. Make a short test recording, stop and replay it to check that the sound you need was captured.

No sound or no captions?

• No sound on replay: stop first, then check the selected source, headphones, input and output devices, and Votel permissions using the system prompts. Play audible content or speak into the microphone, then make another short test recording.
• Audio but no live captions: check whether live captions are paused, online processing is off, or a connection, usage or service message is shown. Follow that message. Continuing local recording does not mean captions have resumed.
• Original text but no translation: check the target language and any translation or connection message. Keep the local recording and use the retry action provided by the app when available.

Pausing captions is different from stopping

Pause Live Captions pauses online processing while recording continues locally. To stop capturing sound, use Finish and Save Recording (the square Stop button). If connectivity or minutes run out, check for the Recording locally status. Missing captions are not automatically filled in when you export.

Purchases, restoration and feedback

Subscriptions use Apple. Restore with the store identity associated with the purchase. Never send passwords, verification codes, receipts or signed transactions. Preserve original recordings when troubleshooting; avoid repeatedly clearing app data or Keychain credentials.

Test participants should use their original invitation channel. Include the app and macOS versions, selected audio source, steps and time. In Help & Diagnostics, you can generate a support code valid for seven days and copy a redacted summary. The code cannot sign you in. Unnecessary recordings and captions are not needed.

Support and privacy contact: voteldeveloper@gmail.com (Votel Support). Downloads, regions and final subscription terms will be confirmed before public release. Not every country, device or meeting-app combination has been verified.

Cancel renewal, request a refund, or find a receipt

Canceling renewal, requesting a refund and deleting data are separate actions. On your Mac, open your account in the App Store, choose Subscriptions and Votel, then follow Apple’s cancellation controls. See Apple’s cancellation guide for the current steps. Uninstalling Votel or deleting data does not cancel renewal. Check Apple for your remaining subscription period.

For a refund, sign in to Apple Report a Problem with the purchasing Apple Account, choose Request a refund, give a reason and select the item. Apple decides eligibility; Votel support cannot approve it or guarantee a refund or payment date. Pending charges may not yet be eligible to request. See Apple’s refund instructions.

Find your receipt using Apple’s purchase history guide or your Apple receipt email, and check which account made the purchase. For service problems, contact Votel with the version, time and optional support code. Do not send passwords, verification codes, full receipts or signed transactions. Restore with the original purchasing account; restoration does not grant a fresh full allowance.

Keyboard shortcuts

Everyday actions have shortcuts. Can’t remember one? They’re all in the menu bar.

iPhone

Choose Live Captions or Conversation Mode, set the languages, then read the online processing notice and agree to start. Allow microphone access when iOS asks the first time. Recording continues in the background and on the Lock Screen; choose End and Save in the app or from the Live Activity. Recordings are kept in Recording History. To cancel on iPhone, open Settings, tap your name, then choose Subscriptions › Votel. When you report an issue, include the app and iOS versions.