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FAQ

Quick answers to your questions about Cleft - subscriptions, features, troubleshooting, and support

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

1

Quick Fix

  1. Open Cleft Settings
  2. Tap “Restore Purchases”
  3. 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.

We make refunds easy:

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

No complicated forms or questions asked.

View or change your subscription:

On iPhone/iPad:

  1. Open Settings app
  2. Tap your Apple ID
  3. Subscriptions
  4. Find Cleft

On Mac:

  1. Open App Store
  2. Click your name
  3. View Information
  4. Manage Subscriptions

Direct in Cleft: Settings > Account > Manage Subscription

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:

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

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

Try these quick fixes:

  1. Force close and reopen
  2. Restart your device
  3. Check for updates
  4. Reinstall if needed (your notes are safe)

Common fixes:

  1. Check microphone permissions
  2. Verify internet connection
  3. Try a short test recording
  4. Clear app cache

Quick sync fixes:

  1. Pull down to refresh
  2. Check internet connection
  3. Verify same email on all devices
  4. Sign out and back in

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

  1. Open Settings in Cleft
  2. Go to “Manage Subscription”
  3. Click “Restore Purchases”

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

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

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.

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

  • 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

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.

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

1

Local Processing

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

2

Private Conversion

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

3

One-Time Process

Transcription happens once, immediately after recording finishes

4

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.

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:

  1. Tap the ”+” button (or use ⌘ + N on Mac)
  2. Select “Text Note” or “Silent Mode”
  3. Type your note as you would in any text editor
  4. 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

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:

  1. Open the note you want to add to
  2. Tap the microphone button or press Space (on Mac)
  3. Start speaking - your new content will be transcribed and appended
  4. 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

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:

  1. Go to Settings > AI Preferences > Custom Instructions (or use ⌘ + . on Mac)
  2. Enter your instructions in the text field
  3. 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.

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:

  1. Go to Settings > Integrations
  2. Connect your Notion account
  3. Select target database(s)
  4. 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.

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:

  1. Connect Cleft to Zapier in Settings > Integrations
  2. Create a Zap with the “New Tagged Note in Cleft” trigger
  3. Specify which tag(s) should trigger the automation
  4. 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.

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:

  1. Record as usual - Cleft detects you’re offline automatically
  2. Your audio is saved locally
  3. When you reconnect, transcription processes automatically
  4. 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.

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:

  1. Open the note you want to share
  2. Tap the share icon
  3. Select “Create Shareable Link”
  4. Enable password protection
  5. Set an optional expiration date
  6. 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.

Here’s how to get your notes syncing:

  1. 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
  1. 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
  1. 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.

Try these steps in order:

  1. Quick Fixes
  • Refresh the app (⌘ R on Mac, pull down on iOS)
  • Close and reopen the app
  • Check your internet connection
  1. If Issues Persist
  • Clear app cache (Settings > Advanced > Clear Cache)
  • Check available storage space
  • Update to the latest version
  • Restart your device
  1. For Specific Issues
  • Slow transcription: Check internet speed
  • UI lag: Reduce number of open notes
  • Sync delays: See syncing guide above

Follow these steps:

  1. Check Recording Setup
  • Ensure microphone access is granted
  • Check microphone isn’t blocked/covered
  • Test in a quiet environment
  1. Verify Settings
  • Check internet connection
  • Ensure you’re within time limits (5 min free, 30 min Plus)
  • Verify language settings
  1. Try Recording Again
  • Start with a short test recording
  • Speak clearly at a normal pace
  • Keep phone/mic close to your mouth

Cleft makes it easy to work with your raw transcripts:

  1. 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
  1. 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
  1. 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.

Here’s how to regain access:

  1. Check Basic Access
  • Verify internet connection
  • Ensure correct email is entered
  • Check for typos in password
  1. Reset Password
  • Click “Forgot Password”
  • Follow email instructions
  • Use reset link within 24 hours
  1. Still Locked Out?
  • Clear app data and sign in again
  • Try on a different device
  • Contact support with your account email

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

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

  1. During Recording
  • Audio saves temporarily on your device
  • Processed locally for transcription
  • No cloud upload of raw audio
  1. 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
  1. Long-term Storage
  • Only transcribed text stored by default
  • Audio files optional (user choice)
  • Local storage options available

Yes, you have full control over your data:

Exporting Data

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

Deleting Data

  1. Individual notes: Swipe to delete
  2. Bulk delete: Select multiple notes
  3. Account deletion: Settings > Privacy > Delete Account
  4. Confirmation email sent

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

We offer multiple support channels:

Immediate Help

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

Direct Support

  1. Email [email protected]
  2. Include your issue details
  3. Add screenshots if relevant
  4. Expect response within 24 hours

Visit our community page for more ways to connect.

Join our beta program in 4 steps:

  1. Sign Up
  • Email [email protected] with subject “Beta”
  • Include your Apple ID
  • Mention your use case
  1. Get Access
  • Receive TestFlight invitation
  • Install beta version
  • Keep both stable and beta versions
  1. Provide Feedback
  • Use the beta feedback form
  • Report bugs you find
  • Suggest improvements
  • Share your experience
  1. Stay Updated
  • Regular beta updates
  • Early access to features
  • Direct contact with developers

Learn more in our beta guide.

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.

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