Support & FAQ
Get help with SOND. Browse frequently asked questions or contact us directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start recording?
Tap the large microphone button on the main screen. Grant microphone permission when prompted. Your recording will start immediately.
Does recording continue when my screen locks?
Yes! SOND supports background recording. Your recording will continue even when you lock your iPhone or switch to another app. Requires iOS 17.0 or later.
How does AI processing work?
After stopping a recording, tap the 🧠 brain icon to process with AI. The app will:
- Transcribe your audio using AssemblyAI
- Analyze the transcript with Google Gemini AI
- Generate a structured summary with insights
Note: Internet connection required for AI processing. First processing may take 30-60 seconds.
Where are my recordings stored?
All recordings are stored locally on your iPhone using iOS SwiftData. They never leave your device unless you explicitly request AI processing or share them.
Can I use SOND without AI processing?
Absolutely! You can use SOND as a simple voice recorder without ever using AI features. Recordings work completely offline.
How do I search my recordings?
Use the search bar at the top of the recordings list. Search works across recording titles, transcripts, and AI summaries. Tap a search result to jump directly to that recording with highlights.
How do I delete a recording?
Swipe left on any recording in the list and tap "Delete". Or open a recording, tap the ⋯ menu button, and select "Delete".
Can I export my recordings?
Yes! Open any recording, tap the Share icon, and choose from:
- Audio file (.m4a)
- PDF (transcript + summary)
- Markdown (formatted text)
- Plain text
What languages are supported?
AssemblyAI supports 90+ languages including English, Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Japanese, and many more. The AI analysis currently works best with English content.
Why is my first AI processing slow?
The first processing may take longer (30-60 seconds) due to API initialization and network latency. Subsequent processings are typically faster (10-20 seconds).
Does SOND require an account?
No! SOND works without any account, login, or registration. All your data stays on your device.
How much storage does SOND use?
Audio recordings are compressed in .m4a format (approximately 1MB per minute of recording). Transcripts and summaries are text-only and use minimal storage.
Can I import audio files?
Yes! Tap the + button on the main screen and select "Import Audio". Supported formats: mp3, m4a, wav, aiff, aac, mp4.
What's the maximum recording length?
There's no hard limit, but recordings longer than 2 hours may take several minutes to process with AI. The app automatically chunks large files for efficient processing.
Is my data private?
Yes! All recordings stay on your device. AI processing sends data to third-party services (AssemblyAI, Google) only when you explicitly request it. See our Privacy Policy for details.
Troubleshooting
AI processing failed or timed out
Possible causes:
- No internet connection - check WiFi or cellular data
- API service temporarily unavailable - try again in a few minutes
- Recording too long - try shorter recordings first
Solution: Tap the 🩺 diagnostics button in the toolbar to check system status. The app includes automatic retry logic.
Microphone not working
Solution:
- Go to iPhone Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone
- Find SOND in the list
- Toggle the switch to enable microphone access
- Restart the app
Recording stopped when screen locked
Solution: Make sure you're running iOS 17.0 or later. Background recording requires iOS 17+. Update your iPhone in Settings → General → Software Update.
Search not working
Solution: Search only works after AI processing has generated a transcript. Make sure you've processed your recording with the 🧠 brain icon first.
App crashes or freezes
Solution:
- Force quit the app (swipe up from bottom, swipe up on SOND)
- Restart your iPhone
- Make sure you have the latest version from App Store
- If problem persists, contact support with crash details
System Requirements
- iOS Version: 17.0 or later
- Device: iPhone (iPad support coming soon)
- Storage: ~50MB app size + space for recordings
- Internet: Required only for AI processing (optional)
- Permissions: Microphone access (required for recording)
Contact Support
Can't find an answer? We're here to help!
📧 Email Support
Email: polya.dsgn@gmail.com
Response Time: Usually within 24-48 hours
Please include:
- Your iOS version
- iPhone model
- SOND app version (Settings → About)
- Detailed description of the issue
- Screenshots if applicable
Latest Updates
Version 1.0 (Build 15) - Current
- ✅ Background recording (continues when screen locks)
- ✅ AI diagnostics system with network monitoring
- ✅ Native search with highlighting
- ✅ Export to PDF, Markdown, and plain text
- ✅ Firebase analytics and crash reporting
Additional Resources
- Privacy Policy - Learn how we protect your data
- App Store Page - Download SOND
- GitHub Repository - View source code (private)