Recording

Record, pause, bookmark, import audio, and dictate on every platform.

• Start, pause, and resume a recording

  How to start, pause, resume, stop, or discard a recording on iOS, Android, and the web, and what happens to the audio at each step.

• Add bookmarks and notes while recording

  Mark important moments with bookmarks and type a title and notes during a recording — and where each of them shows up afterwards.

• Does Canto record in the background?

  Yes on iOS and Android — with the screen locked or other apps open. What interruptions do, what the web can't do, and what long recordings cost in battery.

• Record from iOS widgets and Control Center

  Start a Canto recording from the home-screen widget, Control Center, the Lock Screen, or the Action Button, and follow it in the Live Activity.

• Record from the Android widget and tile

  Start a Canto recording from the Android home-screen widget or the Quick Settings tile without opening the app first.

• Import audio files on iOS and Android

  Send audio from WhatsApp, Files, or any app into Canto with the share sheet or open-with — imported files transcribe like recordings.

• Upload audio files on the web

  Drag audio files anywhere onto Canto on the web — multiple at once, each file becomes its own recording with a transcript and notes.

• Use Canto for dictation and voice notes

  Speak instead of typing — dictate into chat and notes fields on every platform, or record short voice notes that become searchable transcripts.

• How do I get the best audio quality?

  Microphone placement, speakerphone, external mics, and room tips for recordings that transcribe accurately — and what far-field audio can't do.

• How long can a recording be?

  Canto records for hours without a length cap — the practical limit is the free plan's monthly transcription minutes, not recording time.