The Otter desktop app for Mac and Windows lets you record and transcribe meetings directly from your computer without Otter Notetaker joining as a participant. You can record while wearing headphones, receive meeting reminders, manage recordings with floating controls, and capture shared content during supported meetings.
- Zoom
- Microsoft Teams
- Google Meet
- Slack huddles
- Other video conferencing apps: Jitsi Meet, Whereby, GoToMeeting, and more.
- Dialers: RingCentral, Dialpad, Outreach, Cisco Webex, Mitel, 8x8 Work, Vonage Business App, Nextiva, Five9, Aircall, CallHippo, JustCall, CloudCall, Google Voice, Talkdesk, and more.
- Messaging apps: WhatsApp, FaceTime, Discord, Messenger, Google Chat, and Telegram.
- Other browser apps: Additional browser-based meetings and calls.
Use this guide to install Otter Desktop, record meetings without a bot, configure desktop settings, and troubleshoot recording issues.
Install the Otter desktop app on Mac or Windows
Download the desktop app, install it on your computer, sign in to your Otter account, and grant the recording permissions requested by your operating system. Choose your device below for step-by-step instructions.
Install the Otter desktop app Step-by-step installation and recording permissions for Mac and Windows
Install Otter on Mac
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Download the Otter macOS Desktop app .
- Double-click the DMG file to open it.
- Drag the Otter.app to the Applications folder.
- Once the Otter has been fully moved to your Applications folder, you can open the Otter macOS Desktop app. We recommend pinning to the dock for easy access.
- Sign in to or create your Otter account.
- When you first open the Otter desktop app, you will need to enable access for permissions. Follow the prompts on the screen to enable access. Restart the app after enabling permission settings. For more detailed information, view our permissions section .
- Microphone - Allows Otter to transcribe the audio input from your microphone.
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Screen & audio recording - Allows Otter to capture what's on screen and what meeting participants say (this setting allows you to wear headphones during a meeting while transcribing meeting audio).
- You are now logged in to Otter and can use all of the features available on the desktop app.
Enable microphone permissions on Mac
- Navigate to System Settings → Microphone.
- Toggle ON Otter.
- Select Later (if you need to enable the other settings) or Quit & Reopen .
- Open Otter.
Enable screen & system audio permissions on Mac
- Navigate to System Settings → Screen & System Audio Recording.
- Toggle ON Otter.
- Select Later (if you need to enable the other settings) or Quit & Reopen.
- Open Otter.
Install Otter on Windows
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Download the Otter Windows Desktop app .
- Run otter_latest.exe to begin the installation process.
- Once the installation has completed, open the Otter Desktop app (if not already open). We recommend pinning the application to the dock for easy access. Sign in to Otter.
- After signing in, you may need to enable access for permissions. Review your microphone permissions settings if you are experiencing any issues recording.
- You are now logged in to Otter and can use all of the features available on the desktop app.
Recording permissions
Navigate to system settings . Permission locations may vary depending on your Mac or Windows device. Otter will need the following permissions depending on your device:
- Microphone - Allows Otter to transcribe the audio input from your microphone. This includes headphones, external microphones, Bluetooth headsets, etc. Whichever microphone device your audio input is set to, Otter can record from it.
- Screen & audio recording - Allows Otter to capture what's on screen and what meeting participants say. This will allow you to wear headphones during the recording, and Otter will still be able to record what's on your screen, such as a YouTube video playing in the background, or speakers during an online meeting (e.g., Slack, Google Meet, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.).
Record meetings with the Otter desktop app
Botless recording lets you capture meeting audio and generate a transcript without adding Otter Notetaker as a meeting participant. The desktop app can capture audio from your computer, including meeting audio while you wear headphones, when the required permissions are enabled.
- Open the Otter desktop app and sign in.
- Join your meeting in the supported meeting platform.
- Click Record in the Otter desktop app to start recording and transcription.
- Use the recording controls to pause, resume, or finish the recording.
✅ Notetaker does not need to join the meeting.
✅ Wear headphones during a meeting.
✅ Otter can automatically detect, start, and stop a recording for a meeting.
Check recording permissionsAllow microphone and system audio recording on your device
Otter needs access to the relevant audio inputs to record and transcribe meetings. On Mac, check System Settings → Microphone and System Settings → Screen & System Audio Recording. On Windows, review the recording and microphone permissions available in your system settings.
- Microphone: Allows Otter to transcribe your microphone input.
- Screen and system audio recording: Allows the desktop app to capture meeting audio playing through your computer, including when you wear headphones.
Control a live recordingPause, resume, finish, or reopen Otter from the floating indicator
When you record a conversation in the desktop app, you can continue using your computer as usual. When you navigate away from the Otter desktop app, a small recording indicator will appear overlaid above your applications. Learn more about managing the Otter recording indicator.
You can drag and move the Otter controls anywhere on the screen.
Easily manage your live recording using the provided controls.
- Finish Recording - End the Otter live recording and return to the conversation in the Otter desktop app.
- Pause - Pause the recording.
- Resume Recording - If paused, you can resume the recording at any time.
- Open Otter - Open the live Otter transcription during the recording.
Manage your Otter desktop settings
To customize desktop recording behavior and notifications, open the Otter desktop app, click your profile, and select Desktop App Settings. These settings control the desktop app experience.
⚙️ Launch App on startup Automatically launch Otter on startup
Toggle this setting to automatically launch the Otter desktop app when you log in to your computer.
⚙️ Meeting detection notificationsChoose recording reminders or automatic recording when meetings are detected
Choose whether Otter reminds you to record or automatically starts recording when it detects a meeting or call. You can customize meeting detection settings for each supported platform or application category.
Supported platforms and applications include:
- Zoom
- Microsoft Teams
- Google Meet
- Slack huddles
- Other video conferencing apps: Jitsi Meet, Whereby, GoToMeeting, and more.
- Dialers: RingCentral, Dialpad, Outreach, Cisco Webex, Mitel, 8x8 Work, Vonage Business App, Nextiva, Five9, Aircall, CallHippo, JustCall, CloudCall, Google Voice, Talkdesk, and more.
- Messaging apps: WhatsApp, FaceTime, Discord, Messenger, Google Chat, and Telegram.
- Other browser apps: Additional browser-based meetings and calls.
Otter continues to expand meeting detection support, with more platforms and applications planned for the future.
Example of a meeting detection:
⚙️ Calendar event notifications Get reminders for your calendar events and error notifications
Get reminders when a calendar event begins and when Notetaker is not able to record the meeting for you. Through these reminders, you can start a recording through the Otter desktop app.
Example notification of calendar event:
Example of Notetaker not being able to join your meeting:
⚙️ Recording indicators and Teams chat notificationsShow recording controls and notify Microsoft Teams participants
Control your device's recording indicator. The recording indicator will overlay any open application. Any time you navigate away from the Otter desktop app during a live recording, you can easily control the recording through the indicator.
Example of the recording indicator:
Post automatic recording message in Microsoft Teams
For Teams meetings, Otter can automatically post a custom message to notify participants you are recording.
By default, the recording message is “I am using Otter to record this meeting.” To customize the message, click the text field, enter your preferred message, and press Enter to save. The updated message will be posted automatically in the meeting chat when recording starts.
If you customize the recording message, ensure it complies with your organization’s policies and any applicable meeting notification or recording requirements.
⚙️ Automatic screenshot captureSave shared content from Zoom and Microsoft Teams meetings
The Otter desktop app can automatically capture screenshots of shared content during live recordings in Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Whether you or another participant shares their screen, Otter adds relevant screenshots to your conversation alongside the transcript.
To manage this feature, go to Desktop App Settings → Live recording behavior and toggle Capture screenshots of shared content during recordings on or off.
You can also manually capture specific slides or visuals during a live recording.
⚙️ End recording notificationsGet reminders when you may have forgotten to stop recording
Choose if you want reminders to end recordings in case you forget to do so.
Example of recording ending automatically after leaving a meeting:
⚙️ End recordings automaticallyLet Otter stop recordings when a meeting ends
Choose if you want Otter to end recordings automatically in case you forget to do so.
⚙️ General settingsManage additional account and meeting preferences
Manage all other preferences and account options. You can manage these settings in Account Settings → Meetings.
Learn more about managing your account and meeting settings.
Explore Otter desktop app features
The Otter desktop app includes the features available in the web version, plus desktop-specific features such as meeting reminders, botless recording, floating recording controls, and meeting detection.
The Otter desktop app includes core Otter features such as conversation recording, transcription, AI Chat, and conversation editing, plus desktop-specific recording controls and notifications.
- Record a conversation
- Use Otter AI Chat
- Edit your conversations
- Manage meeting and Notetaker settings
- Record without Notetaker
- Use the floating recording indicator
- Capture shared content automatically
🖥️ Meeting and recording notificationsGet reminders, recording prompts, and alerts during meetings
The Otter desktop app provides real-time notifications for meeting reminders and recording prompts, and alerts you to any errors. The notification will pop up in the upper-right corner and automatically disappear. Learn more about managing your notification settings.
🖥️ Huddle and meeting notifications Get notified to record when a live meeting is detected
Otter can automatically send you a notification to record when a live meeting is detected. Learn more about managing your meeting settings notifications.
- Zoom
- Microsoft Teams
- Google Meet
- Slack huddles
- Other video conferencing apps: Jitsi Meet, Whereby, GoToMeeting, and more.
- Dialers: RingCentral, Dialpad, Outreach, Cisco Webex, Mitel, 8x8 Work, Vonage Business App, Nextiva, Five9, Aircall, CallHippo, JustCall, CloudCall, Google Voice, Talkdesk, and more.
- Messaging apps: WhatsApp, FaceTime, Discord, Messenger, Google Chat, and Telegram.
- Other browser apps: Additional browser-based meetings and calls.
When you see the notification, click Start recording. Otter will immediately start transcribing the meeting.
Otter can automatically detect when a meeting ends and stop the recording. If you wish to continue recording after a meeting has finished, click Keep recording when you see the notification.
When using Notetaker, if Otter detects that it was not able to join the meeting, it'll prompt you to manually record the meeting. Click Record manually to start.
Troubleshoot Otter desktop recording issues
If a desktop recording does not start, capture audio, or upload correctly, first confirm your recording permissions, meeting detection settings, and network connection. The desktop app may also show an error notification with more information.
Recording errors and connection issuesResolve network problems, Notetaker errors, and recording prompts
The Otter desktop app can alert you to issues that may arise during a recording.
- Slow network connection: Check your network connection. Keep the Otter desktop app open. Otter will automatically start uploading and transcribing the file once a connection is detected.
- No network connection: Check your network connection. Keep the Otter desktop app open. Otter will automatically start uploading and transcribing the file once a connection is detected.
- Otter couldn't join your meeting: Check our Notetaker troubleshooting guide. Ensure that the host has allowed Notetaker to join the meeting and that Otter has permissions to record.
- No conversation detected in the past 10 minutes: Otter will stop recording in 15 seconds. Click keep recording to continue.
FAQs
Is the Otter desktop app available for Mac and Windows?
Yes. The Otter desktop app is available for macOS 12.3 or later and Windows 10 or later. Download the desktop app and follow the installation steps for your device.
Can I record a meeting without Otter Notetaker joining?
Yes. Use botless recording in the Otter desktop app to capture and transcribe meeting audio without Notetaker joining as a participant.
Can I record a meeting while wearing headphones?
Yes. The desktop app can capture meeting audio while you wear headphones when the necessary microphone and system audio recording permissions are enabled.
What meeting platforms and apps does Otter desktop meeting detection support?
The Otter desktop app supports meeting detection across popular video conferencing platforms, dialers, messaging apps, and browser-based meetings. You can choose to receive a recording reminder or have Otter automatically start recording when a supported meeting or call is detected.
Supported platforms and applications include:
- Zoom
- Microsoft Teams
- Google Meet
- Slack huddles
- Other video conferencing: Jitsi Meet, Whereby, GoToMeeting, and more.
- Dialers: RingCentral, Dialpad, Outreach, Cisco Webex, Mitel, 8x8 Work, Vonage Business App, Nextiva, Five9, Aircall, CallHippo, JustCall, CloudCall, Google Voice, Talkdesk, and more.
- Messaging apps: WhatsApp, FaceTime, Discord, Messenger, Google Chat, and Telegram.
- Other browser apps: Additional browser-based meetings and calls.
Otter continues to expand meeting detection support, with more platforms and applications planned for the future.
To customize these settings, open the Otter desktop app → Desktop App Settings → Meeting detection and select your preferred recording behavior for each platform or application category.
Can I record Slack huddles with the Otter desktop app?
Yes. Otter can record Slack huddles, including while you’re wearing headphones.
Otter can automatically detect a Slack huddle and prompt you to start recording.
You can also start a manual recording at any time.
Do my account settings sync across web, desktop, and mobile?
Yes. Account settings are synchronized across Otter web, desktop, and mobile when you are signed in to the same account. Desktop-specific controls are managed separately in Desktop App Settings.
How do I check for Otter desktop app updates?
You can check for and install updates directly from the desktop app.
- Click the Otter menu in the upper-left corner of your screen.
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Select Check for Updates.
Click the Otter drop-down menu in the upper left corner of your device. If there is an update, you can click Install Latest Version.
You'll be alerted if you are on the latest version.
If you can’t update from within the app, download the latest version from our Downloads page and replace the existing application in your Applications folder after completely quitting Otter.
Can IT administrators deploy the Otter desktop app using MDM?
Yes. Otter supports deployment through Mobile Device Management (MDM). See Deploy the Otter desktop app through MDM for details.
Can the Otter desktop app automatically capture shared screens?
Yes. Automatic screenshot capture is supported for Zoom and Microsoft Teams meetings using the Otter desktop app. See Automatically capture screenshots of shared content during meetings for setup and availability details.
Can I record meetings without an AI bot?
Yes. With the Otter desktop app, you can use botless recording to capture supported meetings without an AI bot joining as a meeting participant, while still generating transcripts and other Otter AI features.
Does the Otter desktop app support botless recording?
Yes. The Otter desktop app supports botless recording for supported meeting platforms, allowing you to capture meetings without an AI bot joining.
What is botless recording?
Botless recording allows you to record and transcribe supported meetings without an AI bot joining as a meeting participant. You can use the Otter desktop app to record without a bot or Notetaker joining your meeting.
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