Help Center

Everything you need to know about using Basil AI

🚀 Quick Start Guide

1. Grant Permissions

When you first launch Basil AI, you'll need to grant:

  • Microphone Access: Required for recording
  • Speech Recognition: For transcription (on-device)
  • Location (Optional): To tag recordings with location

2. Create Your Voice Profile (Optional)

Record a few phrases to help Basil AI recognize your voice better. This improves transcription accuracy for your voice.

3. Start Recording

Tap the record button to begin. Basil AI transcribes everything in real-time, completely offline on your device.

✨ Special Features

🌿 The "Basil" Keyword

Say "Basil" during any recording to mark important moments!

  • Triggers immediate entity extraction
  • Creates a bookmark in your transcript
  • Provides haptic feedback (vibration)
  • Shows a green toast notification

💡 Pro Tip: Use "Basil" before stating action items, decisions, or important information to ensure they're captured.

📱 Quick Actions (3D Touch)

Long press the Basil AI app icon for quick actions:

  • Start Recording: Immediately begin a new recording
  • View Recordings: Jump to your recordings list

🗣️ Siri Shortcuts

Use Siri to control Basil AI hands-free:

Built-in Voice Commands:

  • "Hey Siri, start recording in Basil AI"
  • "Hey Siri, stop recording in Basil AI"
  • "Hey Siri, show my recordings in Basil AI"

Custom Shortcuts:

  1. Open Settings app → Shortcuts
  2. Tap the + button
  3. Search for "Basil AI"
  4. Choose an action (Start Recording, Stop Recording, etc.)
  5. Record your custom phrase like "Start my meeting"

💡 Pro Tip: Basil AI shortcuts work with Focus modes - set up automatic recording when entering Work focus!

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How long can I record?

Free users: 60 minutes per day
Pro users: Up to 8 hours continuous recording

Where is my data stored?

All recordings and transcripts are stored locally on your device and in your personal iCloud account. Nothing is sent to our servers.

How does the transcription work?

Basil AI uses Apple's on-device speech recognition to transcribe your recordings. Everything happens locally on your device - no audio is sent to servers.

Can I edit transcripts?

Transcripts are read-only within the app to maintain accuracy. You can export to Markdown and edit in any text editor.

How do I export recordings?

Tap any recording, then tap the share button to export as Markdown. Pro users get clean exports without watermarks.

What's the difference between Free and Pro?

Free users get:

  • 60 minutes of recording per month
  • Full transcription quality
  • Export to Notes and Files

Pro users get:

  • Unlimited recording time
  • Cross-device sync
  • No watermarks on exports
  • Priority support

Can I use Basil AI offline?

Yes! All transcription happens on-device, so you can record and transcribe without any internet connection. The app works perfectly in airplane mode.

How do I organize recordings?

Create custom folders to organize your recordings by project, client, or any category you prefer. Swipe left on any recording to move it to a folder.

Can I use Siri to start recording?

Yes! Say "Hey Siri, start recording in Basil AI" to begin recording hands-free. You can also create custom phrases in the Shortcuts app for personalized commands.

How does cross-device sync work?

Pro subscribers get automatic sync across all their devices. Your usage limits and recordings sync via iCloud, and one subscription works on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

🔧 Troubleshooting

Recording won't start

  • Check microphone permissions in Settings → Basil AI
  • Ensure you have enough storage space
  • Force quit and restart the app
  • Free users: Check if you've reached the 60-minute monthly limit

Poor transcription quality

  • Speak clearly and at a moderate pace
  • Reduce background noise
  • Keep device closer to speakers
  • Create a voice profile in settings for better accuracy

Export issues

  • Ensure you have granted permission to save to Files
  • Check available storage space
  • Try exporting to a different location
  • Free users: Exports include a watermark

App crashes or freezes

  • Update to the latest version from App Store
  • Restart your device
  • Check available storage (need at least 1GB free)
  • Contact support if issue persists

Sync issues between devices

  • Ensure iCloud Drive is enabled on all devices
  • Check iCloud storage isn't full
  • Sign in with the same Apple ID on all devices
  • Pull down to refresh recordings list

💡 Pro Tips

🎯 Better Entity Detection

Start sentences with action words: "Todo:", "Decide:", "Schedule:", "Follow up:"

🔋 Battery Optimization

Enable "Low Power Recording" in settings for longer sessions with minimal battery drain.

📝 Quick Notes

Say "Note to self" followed by your thought to create a clearly marked personal note.

🎤 Better Audio

Use AirPods or external mics for clearer audio in noisy environments.

📊 Meeting Templates

Start meetings with "Attendees are..." to automatically populate the attendees list.

⚡ Quick Export

Swipe right on any recording for quick share options without opening details.

Still Need Help?

Our support team is here to assist you

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