Getting started

From download to your first meeting notes in about five minutes (most of it is the one-time model download).

1. Install

Download the DMG from the latest release, open it, and drag Abschrift into Applications. Requirements: Apple Silicon (M1 or newer), macOS 14.2+.

2. First launch

Abschrift walks you through three steps:

• Permissions — macOS asks for Microphone and System Audio Recording. Grant both; they're what lets Abschrift hear you and the other participants. If you declined by accident: System Settings → Privacy & Security.
• Models — a one-time ~0.5 GB download, compiled for your Mac's Neural Engine. After this, transcription works fully offline.
• Notes provider — paste a cloud API key (only transcript text is ever sent), or choose Skip for now to keep meetings transcript-only. You can change this any time in Settings, and generate notes for past meetings retroactively.

3. Record your first meeting

Hit the red button in the sidebar before (or during) your meeting. Abschrift records your mic and the audio your Mac plays — it works with every meeting app and never joins the call. Hit stop when you're done: transcription, speaker separation, and notes run automatically, with live progress. A 40-minute meeting typically processes in under a minute.

4. Name your speakers

New voices appear as “Speaker 1”, “Speaker 2”… Open Speakers (sidebar footer) and type real names — Abschrift remembers each voice and recognizes it in future meetings, and the rename flows back through your existing transcripts and notes. Details: Speaker profiles.

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