How to record meetings on a Mac, including system audio

On a Mac, Transcript.audio records your microphone and the call audio coming out of your computer, using the System Audio Recording Only permission. Allow that once, restart the app, and calls record on their own with no bot.

How do I set up a Mac for recording meetings?

1. Download the Mac app from the download page and install it. If macOS warns about the app, follow Install on Mac or Windows.
2. In the setup guide, sign in, then at Allow recording click Ask for access and allow each item.
3. Microphone records your voice.
4. System Audio Recording Only records the other people on the call. In System Settings > Privacy & Security > Screen & System Audio Recording, switch on Transcript Audio under System Audio Recording Only, then quit and reopen the app.
5. Calendars (optional) names meetings after calendar events. Screen & System Audio Recording (optional) is only needed for video.
6. Join a call. The menu bar icon changes when recording starts, and Notes ready appears after the call.

What about older versions of macOS?

The app runs on macOS 13 or later. Versions before macOS 14.2 have no audio-only permission and need full Screen Recording instead. The details are in System audio: the other people on the call.

The other side is silent in my transcript

Check the permission above first, then quit and reopen the app. If their words are doubled, use headphones or turn on Reduce echo from speakers in Settings > Recording. More fixes: No audio, or only one side.

See also Automatic detection for any meeting app.