Record with Otter offline or without an internet connection – Help Center

You can record with Otter even when you’re offline, have an unstable internet connection, or temporarily lose network connectivity. Learn what happens to your recording when there’s no internet connection and how offline recording works in the Otter mobile and desktop apps.

What happens when Otter is offline

If your device loses its internet or network connection while recording:

Live transcription will pause, but Otter will continue recording your audio.
Otter will automatically attempt to reconnect when an internet connection becomes available.
Once a stable connection is restored during the recording, Otter will reconnect and resume the live transcript.
If you end the recording while offline, Otter will wait until a stable internet connection is available, then upload the recorded audio and process it to generate the transcript.

If you end the recording while still offline, Otter will wait to upload and process the recording until your device has a stable internet connection.

Desktop & web recording

During a live recording

If you lose your internet connection while recording on the Otter desktop app or web browser, Otter will display a You're offline message. Your live transcript will pause, but Otter will continue recording your audio while you’re offline.

Once your connection is restored, Otter will reconnect and resume the live transcript.

Ending a recording while offline

If you end a recording while you’re still offline, your recorded audio will be saved temporarily while Otter waits for an internet connection.

Keep the Otter desktop app or browser tab open until your connection is restored and the recording can finish uploading. Closing the app or browser tab before the upload is complete may result in lost audio or conversation data.

Mobile recording

During a live recording

If you lose your internet connection while recording in the Otter mobile app, Otter will display a Slow network message. Your live transcript will pause, but Otter will continue recording your audio while you’re offline. Once your connection is restored, Otter will reconnect and resume the live transcript.

Ending a recording while offline

If you end a recording while you’re still offline, your recorded audio will be saved temporarily while Otter waits for an internet connection. Keep the Otter mobile app open and refresh the page once your connection is restored. The recording will finish uploading. Closing the app before the upload is complete may result in lost audio or conversation data.

Missing conversation on mobile Learn how to send diagnostics if you’re having issues with a conversation on mobile

If a conversation is missing after recording offline or did not finish uploading, do not delete or uninstall the Otter mobile app. The app may still contain data that Otter Support can use to help recover or troubleshoot the conversation.

Important: Do not delete or reinstall the Otter mobile app while troubleshooting a missing conversation, as doing so may remove data needed to investigate the issue.

Before contacting Otter Support, send diagnostics from the Otter mobile app:

Tap on your profile in the upper left corner.
Tap on Account Settings.
Scroll down and tap on Send Diagnostics.
Select the conversation(s) that you're having trouble with and tap Send in the upper right corner.
Contact our Otter Support team and let them know you've already submitted the diagnostics.

FAQ

Do I need to be connected to the internet to record in Otter?

No. Otter can continue recording audio if your device loses its internet connection. Live transcription will pause while you’re offline and resume when a connection is restored. If you end the recording while offline, keep the Otter app or browser tab open until Otter reconnects and finishes uploading the recording.

Why is part of my conversation missing after reconnecting and uploading to Otter?

If part of your conversation or transcript is missing after reconnecting, the recording may not have fully uploaded or processed. Make sure you have a stable internet connection and allow Otter time to finish processing the conversation.

If content is still missing on mobile, send diagnostics before contacting Otter Support. Do not delete or reinstall the Otter mobile app while troubleshooting.

Contact our Otter Support team for further assistance.

What happens if I lose my internet connection while recording in Otter?

Otter will continue recording your audio, but the live transcript will pause while your device is offline. Once your internet connection is restored, Otter will reconnect and resume the live transcript.

Will Otter continue recording if I go offline?

Yes. Otter will continue capturing your audio if you temporarily lose your internet or network connection. However, live transcription requires a connection and will pause until Otter reconnects.

What happens if I end an Otter recording while offline?

If you end a recording while your device is still offline, Otter will wait for an internet connection before uploading and processing the recorded audio. Keep the Otter app or browser tab open until your connection is restored and the upload is complete.

Can I close Otter after ending a recording while offline?

No. Keep the Otter app or browser tab open until your internet connection is restored and the recording has finished uploading. Closing Otter before the upload is complete may result in lost audio or conversation data.

Will my live transcript resume when I reconnect to the internet?

Yes. If you’re still recording when your internet connection is restored, Otter will reconnect and resume the live transcript.

How long does an offline Otter recording take to upload after reconnecting?

Upload and processing times can vary depending on the length of the recording, your internet connection, and other factors. Keep Otter open and connected to a stable network while the recording finishes uploading and processing. Learn more about processing times.

What should I do if my Otter conversation is missing after recording offline?

Contact our Otter Support team for further assistance.

If you recorded using the Otter mobile app and the conversation is missing or did not fully upload, do not delete or reinstall the app. Send diagnostics from Account Settings → Send Diagnostics, select the affected conversation, and then contact our Otter Support team. Let our team know that you’ve already submitted diagnostics. Learn more about sending diagnostics.

Should I delete and reinstall the Otter app if an offline recording is missing?

No. Do not delete or reinstall the Otter mobile app if a recording or conversation is missing. The app may still contain data needed to investigate the issue. Send diagnostics first, then contact our Otter Support team for assistance.