Support

Getting started

Use an iPhone with iOS 17 or later. Open Sidecall and sign in with Apple. The Candlefish service address is filled in; it does not need a Cloudflare token. The “Explore the demo” button needs no sign-in and uses invented content. Real-call transcription, coaching, and imports need an internet connection.

Recording

Sidecall records sound picked up by the iPhone microphone. The iPhone app cannot directly capture another app’s internal audio or a cellular call. For supported public media, use Import a link.

Add a title and each person before recording. Taking part or Just listening tells Sidecall whether to try labeling a speaker as you.

Quiet audio does not stop recording. The screen and Live Activity show whether it is active or interrupted. Recording can continue with the screen locked or another app open. Another app or an incoming call can interrupt microphone access. Return to Sidecall if it reports an interruption.

If the network drops, Sidecall keeps a local recording and tries to reconnect. Check the result after stopping. If upload is pending, keep the app installed and use Retry. A local recording alone does not show that the service received it.

People and names

Add each person separately, or paste a comma-separated list and check the names. Choose an existing person when a suggestion matches. Correct speaker names on the finished recording as needed. Saving a voice sample is a separate step that may help recognize someone later; it can still make mistakes.

Import a link

Paste one public YouTube URL or a direct HTTPS link to an MP3, M4A, WAV, MP4, WebM, OGG, or FLAC file. The source must work without signing in. Imports accept up to four hours; direct files are limited to 512 megabytes and YouTube videos to 2 gigabytes.

A YouTube import downloads and retains the public video and processed audio, together with its transcript and notes. Timestamps and speaker labels can be estimates. Only import material you have permission to use.

Sharing

New recordings are personal by default. Choose a room if its members should have access. Service administrators can access calls. Older recordings and imports keep their existing access settings.

For a finished call you own, Share call offers Add to Suite and Create link as separate actions. Anyone with a link can open and forward it. Private notes, preparation, and coaching stay out of the link unless you choose to include them. Review the shared content before you send it. Revoking a link cannot remove copies already saved elsewhere.

Account and updates

Your account screen shows the installed version and build. Use Check for updates when available; a TestFlight installation directs you to TestFlight. Finish a recording before updating.

Signing out clears the visible local sign-in and call cache. Local audio for the same owner can remain, including a recording still waiting to upload. Service recordings remain. Account deletion and recovery copies are explained in the privacy policy.

Sidecall on Mac

The native Mac app can record microphone and computer audio on macOS 15 or later. It asks for the system-audio and microphone permissions it needs. Local recordings are encrypted on the Mac. On-device live transcription requires macOS 26 or later; recording can continue when transcription is unavailable.

The direct Mac build and Mac App Store build use native capture by default. The direct build updates through a signed appcast; the Mac App Store build uses the Store update channel. Use the channel that matches your installed copy.

Contact

For help, write to team@candlefish.ai. Include the app version and build, the device model and OS version, and the exact message shown. Recordings and transcripts may contain private material; include them only when needed to explain the problem.