Guides 5 min read

How to Transcribe Meetings Automatically on Your Mac

By Utterly Team

Whether you're on Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams, capturing an accurate transcript of your meetings can save hours of note-taking and follow-up. Here's how to do it on your Mac with complete privacy.

Step 1: Install Utterly

Download Utterly from the Mac App Store. The app runs natively on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. On first launch, it will download a compact AI model that runs entirely on your device.

Step 2: Select System Audio Mode

Open Utterly and switch to System Audio mode. You will see a list of running applications. Select your video conferencing app (Zoom, Teams, Meet, etc.).

Step 3: Start Your Meeting and Record

Join your meeting as usual, then tap the record button in Utterly. The app will capture the audio output from your conferencing app and transcribe it in real time. You can watch the transcript build as the meeting progresses.

Step 4: Review and Export

When the meeting ends, stop the recording. You can review the full transcript, make edits, and export it as plain text or a timestamped document. Share it with your team or save it to your notes app.

Tips for Better Transcription

  • Use headphones to prevent echo and feedback from affecting accuracy
  • Ask participants to speak one at a time for clearer results
  • Place your Mac closer to external speakers if not using headphones
  • Use the language selector if your meeting is in a non-English language

Privacy Note

Unlike cloud-based transcription services, Utterly processes all audio locally. Your meeting content never leaves your Mac, making it safe for confidential discussions, legal matters, and HIPAA-sensitive conversations.