MZSoft
Live Transcript or Transcribe Later: Which Mode Should You Use?
Live mode shows sentences as they finalise while you record and can translate them as you go (Premium). Transcribe-later mode records only, then transcribes the whole file with progress shown. Both use Apple's on-device speech engine.
The problem
Live captions are great for confirming that the app is hearing you, but they use battery and can distract. Other times you want text immediately, in the middle of a meeting. You should be able to choose.
Live mode
- Sentences appear as the engine finalises them. In-progress words may still change.
- Punctuation is added automatically.
- Translation can run alongside (Premium): only finalised sentences are translated, so the lines don’t jump.
- Good for: lectures, interviews where you want to catch a name or number, checking your microphone.
Transcribe later
- Turn live transcription off before recording (or just record).
- Open the note afterwards and tap Transcribe this recording.
- Choose the language. A progress view shows real progress, not a spinner. You can leave the screen.
- Review the result. Replace swaps it into the note.
Which to pick
| Situation | Use |
|---|---|
| Quick idea | Either; later saves battery |
| Long meeting | Live, to confirm audio, or later for battery |
| Imported file | Later (the only option) |
| Wrong language | Re-run in the correct language |
Tip
Transcribing a long file takes a while. Plug in the phone and leave the app open.
FAQ
Which is more accurate? Both use the same on-device engine. The final transcript can be re-run on a saved recording at any time.
Which uses less battery while recording? Recording alone, with live transcription off, does less work on the phone.
Can I transcribe later after recording live? Yes. Open the note and re-run; a preview shows progress and the transcript is replaced when it completes.
Can I leave while it transcribes? Yes. You can close the screen; the note updates when it finishes.