What Gets Exported
The export feature packages your 12scribe data into a single .zip file that you can save to iCloud Drive, AirDrop to a computer, or store on any external drive. This gives you a portable, self-contained backup that works independently of cloud sync.
Every export includes the following for each project:
- Project metadata — name, type, creation date, and settings
- Sessions — recording dates, durations, and session order
- Markers — all manual and AI-generated markers with timestamps, titles, and descriptions
- Transcriptions — full transcription text with word-level timing data
- AI analysis — Smart Notes, summaries, and any generated content
- Manifest file — a checksum that verifies the archive was not corrupted during transfer
This metadata-only export is compact. Even a library with hundreds of projects typically produces a file under 50 MB, making it easy to email or store anywhere.
With Audio vs Without Audio
When you start an export, 12scribe asks whether to include audio files. The choice depends on your goals:
Without audio (metadata only): The fastest option. You get all your project structure, markers, transcriptions, and AI notes in a small file. Choose this when you want a quick backup of your work or when audio files are already backed up through cloud sync. This is also the best choice when storage space is limited.
With audio (full backup): Everything above, plus every recording file. The archive will be significantly larger — a one-hour recording at standard quality is roughly 30-50 MB. Choose this when you need a complete, independent backup that can fully restore your library on any device, even without an internet connection.
How to Export
Follow these steps to create an export archive:
- Open the Settings tab and scroll to the Data Management section.
- Tap Export Projects. A dialog asks whether to include audio files. Choose Metadata Only for a fast, small backup or Full Backup (with Audio) for a complete archive.
- 12scribe begins building the .zip file. A progress bar shows the status. You can continue using the app while the export runs in the background.
- When the export finishes, the iOS share sheet appears. Save the file to Files, send it via AirDrop, upload to a cloud service, or share it however you prefer.
The exported file is named with the date and time — for example, 12scribe-backup-2025-03-15.zip — so you can keep multiple snapshots without confusion.
Storage Space Check
Before starting a full export with audio, 12scribe calculates the estimated archive size and compares it to your available device storage. If space is tight, the app warns you before proceeding and suggests either freeing up storage or choosing a metadata-only export instead.
A few practical tips for managing export size:
- If you only need to back up specific projects, you can select individual projects from the export screen rather than exporting everything at once
- Metadata-only exports are always safe to run regardless of available storage — they rarely exceed a few megabytes
- After exporting with audio, consider moving the .zip file to external storage or a cloud service to free up device space
- Regular exports give you a recovery option that is independent of your 12scribe account or cloud sync status