FAQ

Help with Subscription & Account ⚡

Help! I lost my Plus features / subscription

Don’t worry - we can help you get your features back quickly:

Quick Fix

Open Cleft Settings
Tap “Restore Purchases”
Wait for confirmation

Still not working? Watch our quick restore video guide

Common issues we can fix:

“Plus features disappeared”
“Lost access after reinstall”
“Premium features not working”
“Subscription missing”
“Need to transfer to new device”

See our complete restoration guide for detailed help.

Need a refund or billing help?

We make refunds easy:

Email [email protected]
Subject: “Refund Request”
Include your account email
We’ll process it within 24 hours

No complicated forms or questions asked.

Check subscription status or manage plan

View or change your subscription:On iPhone/iPad:

Open Settings app
Tap your Apple ID
Subscriptions
Find Cleft

On Mac:

Open App Store
Click your name
View Information
Manage Subscriptions

Direct in Cleft: Settings > Account > Manage Subscription

Can I share my Plus subscription with family members?

Yes! Cleft supports Apple Family Sharing for Plus subscriptions:

Share with up to 6 family members: Your entire family can enjoy Plus features under one subscription
Easy Setup: Once you subscribe to Plus, family members can download Cleft and automatically access Plus features
Cost Effective: Pay once for the whole family instead of individual subscriptions
Same Features: Everyone gets full access to all Plus features

To set up Family Sharing:

Ensure you have Family Sharing enabled in your Apple ID settings
Subscribe to Cleft Plus through the App Store (annual plan recommended for best value)
Family members download Cleft and sign in with their Apple ID
They’ll automatically have access to Plus features

Note: Family Sharing is available for subscriptions purchased via the App Store after December 2024.

App Not Working? 🔧

App crashing or won't open

Try these quick fixes:

Force close and reopen
Restart your device
Check for updates
Reinstall if needed (your notes are safe)

Can't record or transcribe

Common fixes:

Check microphone permissions
Verify internet connection
Try a short test recording
Clear app cache

Notes not syncing

Quick sync fixes:

Pull down to refresh
Check internet connection
Verify same email on all devices
Sign out and back in

Having issues with audio devices?

Cleft has enhanced audio device handling that makes recording with various devices seamless:

Automatic Device Switching: Seamlessly switch between AirPods, headsets, and your device’s internal microphone during recording without interruption
Device Indicator: A new microphone indicator shows which audio input device is currently active while recording
Device Selection (macOS): On Mac, you can select your preferred audio device in Settings

This makes Cleft perfect for recording on the go, whether you’re walking with AirPods, sitting at your desk with a headset, or using your device’s built-in mic.

Getting Started

What is Cleft and how does it help me?

Cleft helps you capture and organize your thoughts effortlessly through voice or text.

You might hear us use both “voice notes” and “voice memos” - they’re the same thing! Learn more about the terminology in our Getting Started guide or check our detailed explanation in the FAQ below.For a complete walkthrough of how to capture and process your thoughts with Cleft, see our comprehensive How Cleft Works guide.

Perfect For

Key Benefits

See It In Action

How much does Cleft cost?

View our Plus subscription details or download from the App Store to get started.

Basic (Free)

Voice-to-text notes up to 5 minutes
Basic integrations (Apple Notes, Shortcuts)
Standard features

Plus ($6.99/mo or $39.99/yr)

30-minute recordings
Premium integrations (Obsidian, Notion, Zapier)
Custom AI instructions
Priority support

Learn more about Plus

All prices are in USD. Prices in other regions may vary based on local App Store pricing tiers.

What happens to my notes if I downgrade?

Your existing notes remain accessible, but Plus features will be limited. You can still view and edit notes but can’t create new ones using Plus features.

How do I manage my subscription?

Manage your subscription through your App Store settings or Stripe billing portal, accessible from your Account settings in Cleft.

How do I restore my subscription or purchases?

Lost access to Plus features? Here’s how to restore:

Open Settings in Cleft
Go to “Manage Subscription”
Click “Restore Purchases”

For detailed steps and troubleshooting, see our complete restoration guide.

Do you offer student discounts?

Email [email protected] - we’re happy to help find a solution that works for you.

What's your refund policy?

We offer full refunds if you’re experiencing any bugs or technical issues. Simply email us at [email protected] and we’ll take care of it - no complicated process needed.

How do I start recording my first note?

Launch

Open Cleft and tap the microphone button (or press Space on Mac)

Record

Start speaking naturally - no special commands needed

Review

Your note will be automatically transcribed and formatted

Save

Tap ‘Save’ (or let it auto-save)

Quick Access: Add the Cleft widget to your Lock Screen or use the Action Button on iPhone 15 Pro

Can I use Cleft on all my Apple devices?

Download from App Store
Sign in with your email
Enable iCloud sync
Set up widgets (optional)

Obsidian integration is currently Mac-only

What's the difference between voice notes and voice memos?

While we sometimes use these terms interchangeably in Cleft, there are subtle differences:

Voice Notes: Quick, focused captures of specific ideas or thoughts (typically shorter)
Voice Memos: Longer explorations of complex topics or brainstorming sessions

Cleft handles both brilliantly with the same features:

Voice Notes

Voice Memos

Both are processed the same way in Cleft - captured, transcribed, and organized with the same powerful features. For a deeper exploration of voice capture, see our detailed How Cleft Works guide.

How do transcriptions work in Cleft?

Cleft uses state-of-the-art technology to convert your voice into text:

Local Processing

Your audio is processed directly on your device using OpenAI’s Whisper model

Private Conversion

No audio is sent to external servers for transcription - everything stays on your device

One-Time Process

Transcription happens once, immediately after recording finishes

Text-Based Editing

After transcription, all future edits work with the text version

You can always view and edit your raw transcript by toggling the “Transcript” option at the top of any note, as explained in our How Cleft Works guide.

Features & Capabilities

Can I create notes without recording audio?

Absolutely! Cleft’s Silent Mode lets you create text-first notes:

Text-Only Creation: Start with text instead of voice
No Recording Needed: Perfect for quiet environments
Same Organization: Uses the same tagging and folder system
Convert Later: Add voice recordings to text notes if needed

To create a text-only note:

Tap the ”+” button (or use ⌘ + N on Mac)
Select “Text Note” or “Silent Mode”
Type your note as you would in any text editor
Save and organize with tags just like voice notes

This feature is ideal for:

Library or office environments where recording isn’t appropriate
Quick text capture when speaking isn’t convenient
Starting a note framework before adding voice content
Importing text from other sources

Can I add more voice content to an existing note?

Yes! With Cleft’s rolling notes feature (Plus), you can add to existing notes with voice:

Continuous Recording: Add new voice recordings to notes you’ve already created
Seamless Transitions: New content flows naturally from existing text
Horizontal Line Breaks: Clear separation between original content and additions
Perfect For: Ongoing projects, developing thoughts, or adding context to earlier notes

To add to an existing note:

Open the note you want to add to
Tap the microphone button or press Space (on Mac)
Start speaking - your new content will be transcribed and appended
A horizontal line will separate the original content from your addition

This feature is especially useful for:

Journal entries throughout the day
Adding follow-up thoughts to meeting notes
Building on ideas over time
Creating comprehensive documentation in stages

What are Custom Instructions and how do they improve my notes?

Custom Instructions (Plus feature) let you personalize how Cleft processes and formats your voice notes:

Personalized Formatting: Tell Cleft exactly how you want your notes structured
Consistent Style: Maintain the same format across all your notes
Special Requirements: Add specific instructions for technical terms, formatting preferences, or note organization

To set up Custom Instructions:

Go to Settings > AI Preferences > Custom Instructions (or use ⌘ + . on Mac)
Enter your instructions in the text field
Save and they’ll apply to all future notes

Example instructions:

“Format my notes with clear headers and bullet points”
“Always include a summary at the top”
“Organize technical terms in a glossary section”
“Format in Markdown compatible with Obsidian”

Check out our Cookbook for inspiration to get started.

How does the Notion integration work?

Cleft’s Notion integration (Plus feature) makes it easy to send your notes directly to Notion:

One-Click Send: Send any note to a Notion database with just a tap
Auto-Send Option: If you only have one Notion database selected, notes can be sent automatically for instant syncing
Format Preservation: Your note structure, formatting, and organization are maintained in Notion
Database Integration: Notes can be sent to Notion databases with proper field mapping
One-Way Sync: Changes in Cleft sync to Notion, but edits in Notion don’t sync back to Cleft

To set up:

Go to Settings > Integrations
Connect your Notion account
Select target database(s)
Configure field mapping if needed

We recommend setting up one database that syncs with your general inbox to ensure you can send notes with as little friction as possible.

How can I automate workflows based on tags?

Cleft’s enhanced Zapier integration (Plus feature) lets you create powerful automations based on tags:

Tag-Based Triggers: Automatically trigger actions when notes contain specific tags
Enhanced Data Export: Send more comprehensive note data to other apps
Multiple Destination Support: Send notes to different tools based on tags
Customizable Workflows: Create complex automations tailored to your needs

Example automations:

Tag a note with #todo to automatically create a task in your task manager
Use #meeting to send notes to your team in Slack
Tag with #notion to automatically sync to a specific Notion database
Use #calendar to create events from dates mentioned in your notes

To set up:

Connect Cleft to Zapier in Settings > Integrations
Create a Zap with the “New Tagged Note in Cleft” trigger
Specify which tag(s) should trigger the automation
Configure the action in your destination app

Please note: To access the full power of Zapier like filters and multi-step automations, you must be a paid Zapier user.

How does Cleft work when I don't have internet access?

Cleft has robust offline capabilities:

Offline Recording: Record notes without an internet connection
Local Storage: Notes save locally on your device
Offline Editing: View and edit existing notes while offline
Automatic Sync: Changes sync automatically when you’re back online
Offline Transcript Saving: Transcripts are preserved even without connection
Visual Indicators: Clear offline state indicators show when you’re working offline

To use Cleft offline:

Record as usual - Cleft detects you’re offline automatically
Your audio is saved locally
When you reconnect, transcription processes automatically
Any edits you made while offline will sync

For best offline experience:

Enable “Offline Mode” in settings when you know you’ll be without connection
Use “Sync Online” from the context menu when you reconnect
Check the sync status indicator to confirm your notes have synced

This makes Cleft reliable for capturing thoughts anywhere, even without internet access.

Can I share notes securely with others?

Yes! Cleft Plus offers password-protected shareable links:

Password Protection: Add a password to any shared note link
Expiration Settings: Set links to expire after a specific time
Access Control: Choose who can view your shared notes
Auto-Copy: Links automatically copy to clipboard for easy sharing
Tracking: See when shared links were last accessed

To share a note securely:

Open the note you want to share
Tap the share icon
Select “Create Shareable Link”
Enable password protection
Set an optional expiration date
Share the link and password separately for maximum security

This feature is perfect for sharing sensitive information, client deliverables, or private thoughts with trusted individuals.

Troubleshooting

Why aren't my notes syncing between devices?

Here’s how to get your notes syncing:

Quick Fix: Refresh Both Devices

On macOS

Press ⌘ R while the app is in focus, or
Click Refresh in the menu bar

On iOS

Pull down from the top of any screen in Cleft

If Still Not Syncing, Check Your Account

Go to Settings > Account on each device
Confirm you’re signed in with the exact same email (check for any differences in capitalization or spelling)
If you’re not sure, try signing out and back in on both devices

Other Quick Checks

Verify your internet connection
Make sure you’re using the latest app version
Try restarting the app on both devices

For detailed instructions and visuals, see our refresh guide.

The app seems slow or unresponsive

Try these steps in order:

Quick Fixes

Refresh the app (⌘ R on Mac, pull down on iOS)
Close and reopen the app
Check your internet connection

If Issues Persist

Clear app cache (Settings > Advanced > Clear Cache)
Check available storage space
Update to the latest version
Restart your device

For Specific Issues

Slow transcription: Check internet speed
UI lag: Reduce number of open notes
Sync delays: See syncing guide above

My recordings aren't being transcribed

Follow these steps:

Check Recording Setup

Ensure microphone access is granted
Check microphone isn’t blocked/covered
Test in a quiet environment

Verify Settings

Check internet connection
Ensure you’re within time limits (5 min free, 30 min Plus)
Verify language settings

Try Recording Again

Start with a short test recording
Speak clearly at a normal pace
Keep phone/mic close to your mouth

How do I access or edit my transcriptions?

Cleft makes it easy to work with your raw transcripts:

View Your Transcript

Open any note created with voice
Look for the “Transcript” toggle at the top of your note
Tap/click to switch between the organized note and raw transcript

Edit Your Transcript

While viewing the transcript, make any necessary edits
Correct any words that weren’t transcribed accurately
Add punctuation or clarify technical terms

Regenerate Your Note

After editing the transcript, select “Regenerate”
Choose to regenerate just the transcript or both transcript and summary
Your edited transcript will be used to create an improved organized note

For clearer transcripts, try speaking at a moderate pace in a quiet environment. Check out our How Cleft Works guide for more transcript tips and techniques.

I can't access my account

Here’s how to regain access:

Check Basic Access

Verify internet connection
Ensure correct email is entered
Check for typos in password

Reset Password

Click “Forgot Password”
Follow email instructions
Use reset link within 24 hours

Still Locked Out?

Clear app data and sign in again
Try on a different device
Contact support with your account email

Privacy & Security

How secure are my notes and recordings?

Your data is protected through multiple security layers. Learn more in our privacy guide.During Recording

Audio stays on your device
Processing happens locally using Whisper model
No cloud storage of raw audio

For Stored Notes

End-to-end encryption
Secure cloud backup
Optional local-only storage
Auto-delete audio after processing

For Sharing

Encrypted links
Expiring access options
Granular permissions control
Activity logging

What happens to my audio recordings?

Here’s how Cleft handles your audio. Read our privacy guide for more details.

During Recording

Audio saves temporarily on your device
Processed locally for transcription
No cloud upload of raw audio

After Processing

Audio auto-deletes after 1 hour
Keep audio longer by enabling “Save Audio”
Download audio files if needed
Manual delete option always available

Long-term Storage

Only transcribed text stored by default
Audio files optional (user choice)
Local storage options available

Can I export or delete all my data?

Yes, you have full control over your data:Exporting Data

Go to Settings > Privacy
Choose “Export All Data”
Select format (ZIP, PDF, Markdown)
Download to your device

Deleting Data

Individual notes: Swipe to delete
Bulk delete: Select multiple notes
Account deletion: Settings > Privacy > Delete Account
Confirmation email sent

Data deletion is permanent and includes all versions and backups. See our privacy guide for more information.

Support & Community

How do I get help if something's not working?

We offer multiple support channels:Immediate Help

Check in-app help (tap ? icon)
Visit docs.cleft.com
Use in-app chat support

Direct Support

Email [email protected]
Include your issue details
Add screenshots if relevant
Expect response within 24 hours

Visit our community page for more ways to connect.

How do I join the beta program and test new features?

Join our beta program in 4 steps:

Sign Up

Email [email protected] with subject “Beta”
Include your Apple ID
Mention your use case

Get Access

Receive TestFlight invitation
Install beta version
Keep both stable and beta versions

Provide Feedback

Use the beta feedback form
Report bugs you find
Suggest improvements
Share your experience

Stay Updated

Regular beta updates
Early access to features
Direct contact with developers

Learn more in our beta guide.

Is there a trial period?

The Basic plan is free forever and lets you try core features. This gives you a chance to experience Cleft’s voice-to-text capabilities before deciding to upgrade to Plus.

Need immediate help? Email [email protected] with:

Your account email
What happened
When it started
Any error messages

We’ll help within 24 hours, usually much faster.

Getting Started

Features

Platforms

Integrations

Export & Share

Advanced

Support

Perfect For

Key Benefits

See It In Action

Basic (Free)

Plus ($6.99/mo or $39.99/yr)

Voice Notes

Voice Memos