Contact support
support@foundtape.appInclude your iPhone model, iOS version, foundtape version/build (in the app’s Settings), what you were doing, and any error message. If an audio interface was connected, include its model and selected inputs.
A description or a redacted screenshot is usually a good starting point. Please keep private audio, transcripts, locations, passwords and Apple Account details out of your message. See our privacy policy for how support enquiries are handled.
Recording and input levels
The microphone is unavailable
In foundtape Settings, choose Open iPhone Settings and check Microphone access. Return to foundtape and try recording again. For a first level check, open Recorder → Audio input → Check input levels; this requests access without starting a take. foundtape requires iOS 18 or later.
I’m using a wired audio interface
Connect the interface, then open Recorder → Audio input. Refresh inputs if needed, select the device and choose a mono input or stereo pair where supported. Set gain on your interface while watching the meters. Yellow starts at −12 dBFS, red at −3 dBFS, and CLIP means the input reached full scale; lower the interface gain if it clips.
If the input disconnects or changes format during capture, foundtape stops and attempts to save the take. Reconnect, check the selected input and start a new take. For a problem report, include the interface, adapter and channel selection.
A call or interruption stopped my take
Check the Library for the saved recording and read any notice in the app. Once the interruption has ended, start a new take to continue. Check available iPhone storage if a recording will not start or save.
Importing, organising and exporting
Import audio through Files in the app, or use the system share sheet from Voice Memos or another app. After the share receipt closes, open foundtape to finish importing. Share rendered audio files rather than editable Voice Memos folders.
Importing the same audio again may add no new take because foundtape recognises duplicates. Reimporting a duplicate from Recently Deleted restores it. Titles and dates supplied by the source are kept when available; use Set recording date or Edit recording date on an imported take to correct a missing or incorrect date.
All includes filed and unfiled recordings. Unfiled shows takes without a collection. Open a take and use the folder button to add or change its collection, or create a new collection in the picker.
To share a take, open its action menu → Export audio and choose WAV or MP3. Batch export is available from Library selection. MP3 exports use 320 kbps; WAV uses 16-bit PCM. Mono and stereo channel counts are preserved. Exports leave the original unchanged.
Exported filenames use take titles. Rename a title before exporting if it contains a place name or other information you do not want to share. Coordinates, transcripts and markers are not attached to exported audio.
Transcription and word playback
- Open a saved take and choose Transcribe on this iPhone.
- Choose the spoken language and tap Start transcription. If language files are missing, a separate Download language & start choice appears.
- Keep foundtape open while it works. Backgrounding, cancellation or starting a recording cancels the operation; you can try again.
Language and device support vary. If speech recognition permission is denied, check iPhone Settings → Privacy & Security → Speech Recognition. foundtape uses on-device recognition and does not fall back to a server.
Use Transcribe again… to retry with another language. The current transcript stays until a replacement finishes. Music, singing and overlapping speech may be inaccurate. Timings are approximate, and some recognised segments contain a short phrase rather than one word.
Search a word or phrase to find matches, play from a timed match or add a named marker. Tap timed words to seek during playback. Text without timing can still be searched, but cannot provide a playback position.
Optional iCloud sync
iCloud sync is currently in beta. In foundtape Settings, check Sync with iCloud, the status message, pending work and any error. Confirm your iPhone is signed into the intended Apple Account, has available iCloud and device storage, and has a connection. Connect to Wi-Fi and try Sync Now.
Audio uses Wi-Fi unless you enable cellular audio. Metadata may sync over cellular. Audio transfers pause while recording and saving; let capture finish before checking again. Downloaded originals remain available offline.
Changing iCloud accounts can show Merge with this iCloud account. Choose it only if you want this local library and that account’s library combined. Choose Keep this library local if you do not.
Turning sync off keeps local recordings and existing cloud data. Do not uninstall foundtape to troubleshoot sync: unsynced local audio may be lost. If work remains stuck, email the status and error text without sharing Apple Account credentials.
Storage, deletion and recovery
Deleted recordings stay in Recently Deleted until you erase them permanently. Restore a take there to return it to the Library. To remove a synced take across installations, erase it while sync is enabled, allow pending work to complete, and let the other installations sync. Copies already exported or shared are separate.
If a recording was interrupted or is missing after a failed save, open foundtape Settings → Retry recovery. If the app reports an unreadable library, Repair unreadable library from backup offers an explicit repair from the previous index. Read its confirmation first: earlier metadata may be restored and some titles, markers or collection changes may be unavailable.
Recovery depends on readable audio and available backup data; it cannot guarantee every interrupted take. Keep the app installed and contact support before deleting data or attempting further repairs. Export important recordings to a separate location when you can. iCloud sync should not be treated as an independent archive, because deletions also sync.
Widgets, Lock Screen and locations
Add foundtape through the Home Screen widget picker, or customise the Lock Screen and add a foundtape widget below the clock. A fresh recording opens the app and requires unlocking. During capture, widgets offer Stop & save; Live Activity controls also let you mark a moment. iOS controls widget refresh timing.
To stop saving new locations, turn off Save a start location in foundtape Settings. For an existing take, open it and choose Remove location. Turning capture off does not remove locations already saved or read from imported audio. A place name in the title can be edited separately.
For privacy questions or help with your data, contact support@foundtape.app.