Whether you’re recording in Otter, following a few simple best practices can help ensure your conversations upload successfully and generate an accurate transcript and summary. This guide explains how to safely pause, resume, stop, and upload recordings to avoid interruptions and ensure your content is processed successfully every time.
Most recording upload and processing issues are caused by one of three factors: the recording device loses internet connectivity, the Otter app or browser is closed before the upload finishes, or a recording remains paused long enough to be automatically finalized.
Key takeaways:
- Use Stop instead of Pause whenever possible. Stopping a recording is more reliable and allows processing to begin immediately.
- Keep the recording device connected until the upload finishes. Avoid closing browser tabs, force-quitting apps, or putting devices to sleep before the upload is complete.
- Maintain a stable internet connection during and after recording. Otter records audio locally first and uploads it afterward, so connectivity is important throughout the entire process.
- If a recording remains in “Live” status, reopen the original recording device. In most cases, allowing the original device to reconnect and finish uploading resolves the issue automatically.
Best practices: Recording on Otter Web & Desktop
Following these best practices can help ensure your recordings upload successfully, process correctly, and generate complete transcripts and summaries.
Before You Record
- Use a stable internet connection. A wired connection or strong Wi-Fi is recommended. Mobile hotspots and congested public or conference networks are more likely to cause upload interruptions.
- Close unnecessary browser tabs and applications. This helps ensure sufficient bandwidth and system resources for recording and uploading.
- Test your microphone. Speak a few words and confirm that Otter is transcribing correctly before starting an important recording.
- Plan for longer breaks. If you expect a break longer than 15 minutes, stop the recording and start a new one afterward rather than leaving it paused.
During the Recording
- Keep the Otter browser tab or application open. Closing the tab or desktop application ends the recording session and may prevent audio from being uploaded.
- Avoid putting your computer to sleep. Closing your laptop lid or allowing the device to sleep can interrupt the recording and upload process.
- Resume paused recordings within 20 minutes. Otter automatically finalizes recordings after approximately 20 minutes of inactivity. Once finalized, the recording cannot be resumed.
- Use Pause only for short breaks. Pause is intended for brief interruptions, not extended breaks such as lunch or between meetings.
Ending the Recording
- Click Stop when you're finished recording. Stopping the recording ensures Otter can begin processing your transcript and summary.
- Wait for processing to begin before closing the tab or app. After clicking Stop, wait until the conversation enters processing mode or displays a summary.
- If you need to leave immediately, stop the recording first. Even a few seconds between clicking Stop and closing the tab can improve upload reliability.
- Verify the recording completed successfully. Within an hour, confirm that the conversation is marked as completed and no longer shows as Live. If it still appears as Live, refer to the troubleshooting section below.
Best practices: Recording on Otter Mobile (iOS and Android)
Following these best practices can help ensure your mobile recordings are captured successfully, uploaded completely, and processed into transcripts and summaries.
Before You Record
- Update the Otter app. Make sure you’re using the latest version of Otter so you have the newest reliability improvements and bug fixes.
- Check your network connection. A weak signal at the start of a recording may lead to upload delays later. If you’re recording in a basement, conference room, or remote location, the upload may finish after you return to a stronger connection.
- Plan ahead for offline recording. Otter can capture audio locally on your device when you’re offline. After recording, reopen the app when you’re back on Wi-Fi or a strong cellular connection so the upload can finish. Learn more about processing times for offline recordings.
During the Recording
- Do not force-quit the Otter app. Swiping Otter away from the app switcher stops any upload in progress. Audio that has not finished uploading may remain on the device until you reopen the app.
- Let Otter continue running. You can lock your phone or switch to another app while recording, but avoid closing Otter completely.
- Keep recording if you lose signal. Otter will continue capturing audio locally, and the upload will resume once your device reconnects to the internet.
Ending the Recording
- Tap Stop when you’re finished recording. This allows Otter to begin finalizing and processing the conversation.
- Keep the app open briefly after stopping. If you’re in an area with a poor signal, give the app time to continue uploading before putting your phone away.
- Reconnect to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal. If the recording was made in a low-signal area, open Otter again once you’re back on a reliable network so the upload can complete.
- Confirm the recording is completed. If the recording still appears as Live on Otter Web later, open the Otter mobile app and wait for the upload to finish.
Using multiple devices
If you use Otter across multiple devices, following these guidelines can help ensure your recordings upload and process successfully.
- Don’t switch devices during a recording. If you start recording on mobile and want to continue on web, stop and finalize the recording on mobile first, then start a new recording on web. Otter does not support moving an active recording between devices.
- Return to the original recording device to complete uploads. A recording remains stored on the device where it was captured until the upload finishes. Opening Otter on another device will not transfer or complete the upload from the original device.
- Resolve unfinished recordings before troubleshooting elsewhere. If a recording continues to appear as Live, reopen Otter on the device that created the recording and allow it to reconnect and finish uploading.
- Starting a new recording won’t fix an unfinished one. New recordings can be created normally, but any previous recording that is still Live will require the original recording device to come back online before it can finalize and process correctly.
Troubleshooting common recording issues
| If you see this | What to do |
|---|---|
| My recording still shows as “Live” the next day | The original recording device likely hasn’t finished uploading. Open Otter on the device that created the recording (phone, tablet, or computer) and connect it to a strong network for a few minutes. The upload should resume and complete automatically. Do not start a new recording. |
| I clicked Stop, but the recording never finalized | If you stopped the recording while on a weak or unstable network, the stop request may not have been processed. Reopen Otter on the original recording device and connect to a reliable Wi-Fi or cellular network. If the recording still appears as Live after 30 minutes, contact our Otter Support team and include the conversation link. |
| I paused my recording and can no longer resume it | Otter automatically finalizes paused recordings after approximately 20 minutes of inactivity. This protects the audio that has already been captured. To continue recording, start a new conversation. |
| My transcript is shorter than the actual meeting recording or is missing sections | Some of the recorded audio may still be waiting to be uploaded from the original recording device. Open Otter on that device and connect to a strong network. Once the upload completes, the transcript will update automatically. Learn more about processing times for offline recordings. |
| I need to take a long break during a recording | For breaks longer than 15 minutes, stop the recording instead of leaving it paused. When you’re ready to continue, start a new recording. This is the most reliable way to ensure all audio is captured and processed successfully. |
| My laptop went to sleep during a recording | When a computer enters sleep mode or the lid closes, recording and uploading may be interrupted. Reopen the laptop, connect to a network, and allow Otter to run for a few minutes so the recording can finalize. Any audio that occurred while the device was asleep may not be captured. |
FAQs
Should I use Pause or Stop?
Use Pause only for short breaks. For longer interruptions, Stop is recommended. Stopping a recording is more reliable, allows processing to begin immediately, and reduces the risk of upload or finalization issues.
How long can I leave a recording paused?
Otter can keep a paused recording active for approximately 20 minutes. After that period of inactivity, the recording is automatically finalized to protect the transcript and summary that have already been captured.
Why did my recording finalize while it was paused?
If a recording remains paused for too long (~20 minutes) or the recording device becomes unavailable, Otter may automatically finalize the session. This helps prevent recordings from remaining open indefinitely and ensures that captured content is processed.
What happens if my device loses internet connectivity while recording?
Keep the device or browser tab open if you lose connectivity. If your device loses connectivity, Otter will continue to store audio locally on the recording device whenever possible. Once the device reconnects to the internet and Otter is reopened, any remaining audio can be uploaded, and the transcript will update automatically.
What if I close the app, close my laptop, or force-quit Otter while recording?
When the Otter app is closed, force-quit, or the recording device goes offline, Otter cannot determine whether the interruption was intentional or permanent. In these situations, the recording may eventually be finalized automatically. Reopening Otter on the original recording device typically allows any remaining audio to upload.
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