Why is my recording locked or not transcribed?
Updated 16 Aug 2026 · iOS, Android, Web
A recording shows Locked or Not transcribed when you've used your free plan's 100 transcription minutes for the month. Your audio is safe either way — upgrading to Pro unlocks it without re-recording anything.
What's the difference between Locked and Not transcribed?
- Locked — the recording that crossed the limit was still transcribed, but the transcript is hidden until you upgrade. You'll see "You've used your free minutes this month. Upgrade to Pro to unlock this transcript — and keep everything unlimited."
- Not transcribed — recordings after that aren't transcribed while you're over the limit. You'll see "You're out of transcription minutes. Upgrade to Pro and this recording transcribes automatically."
In both states the audio is stored and plays back normally. Nothing is deleted.
How do I unlock a recording?
- Open the recording and choose Upgrade to unlock, or open Plan & billing in settings.
- Upgrade to Pro (or join a Team plan).
- Locked transcripts appear immediately, and untranscribed recordings are transcribed automatically — you don't need to resubmit them.
When does the free limit reset?
Allowances reset at the start of each calendar month. The free plan includes 100 min / mo of transcription; see What are the free plan limits? for the full list.
Troubleshooting
I upgraded but the recording is still locked
Transcription of blocked recordings starts within a few minutes of upgrading. If a recording stays locked, open Plan & billing and use Restore purchases to refresh your plan, then reopen the recording.
My recording failed rather than being locked
A failed state isn't a quota issue — see My transcription is stuck or failed.