FAQ
Quick answers to your questions about Cleft - subscriptions, features, troubleshooting, and support
Help with Subscription & Account ⚡
Help with Subscription & Account ⚡
Help! I lost my Plus features / subscription
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?
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
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?
Can I share my Plus subscription with family members?
App Not Working? 🔧
App Not Working? 🔧
App crashing or won't open
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
Can't record or transcribe
Common fixes:
- Check microphone permissions
- Verify internet connection
- Try a short test recording
- Clear app cache
Notes not syncing
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?
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
Getting Started
What is Cleft and how does it help me?
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?
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
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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)
- Download from App Store
- Sign in with your email
- Enable iCloud sync
- Set up widgets (optional)
- Download from Mac App Store
- Sign in with same email
- Enable notifications
- Set keyboard shortcuts
- Real-time syncing
- Automatic backups
- Cross-device access
- Seamless continuation
Obsidian integration is currently Mac-only
What's the difference between voice notes and voice memos?
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?
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
Features & Capabilities
Can I create notes without recording audio?
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?
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?
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?
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?
How can I automate workflows based on tags?
How does Cleft work when I don't have internet access?
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?
Can I share notes securely with others?
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting
Why aren't my notes syncing between devices?
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
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
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?
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
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
Privacy & Security
How secure are my notes and recordings?
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?
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?
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
Support & Community
How do I get help if something's not working?
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?
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?
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.