What Syncs and Why It Matters
Every recording you make in 12scribe lives on your device first. Cloud sync copies that data to secure servers so it survives a lost phone, a factory reset, or a switch to a new iPad. Once synced, your projects, markers, transcriptions, and AI-generated notes are available wherever you sign in.
Sync happens at two levels. Metadata sync covers everything except raw audio files: project names, session details, marker timestamps, transcription text, and Smart Notes. Audio sync uploads the actual recording files so you can play them back on another device or restore them after a deletion. Both levels work in the background without interrupting your workflow.
Whether you are a student moving between a phone and a tablet or a journalist who needs reliable backups of interview audio, cloud sync ensures your work is always protected and accessible.
Free vs Pro: What Each Plan Syncs
All registered users get metadata sync at no cost. This means your project structure, markers, transcriptions, and AI analysis travel with your account automatically. If you lose your device, you can sign in on a new one and see every project exactly as you left it — minus the audio files themselves.
Pro subscribers unlock full audio sync on top of metadata. Every recording is uploaded to the cloud, so you can play back any session from any device without needing the original phone or tablet. This also acts as a complete off-device backup: even if you delete a local file by accident, the cloud copy remains.
Here is what each plan includes:
- Guest (no account): No sync. All data is local only. Creating an account is free and takes seconds.
- Free (registered): Metadata sync across 1 device. Projects, markers, transcriptions, and Smart Notes are backed up automatically.
- Pro: Metadata + audio sync across up to 3 devices. Full recordings are stored in the cloud for playback and restoration anywhere.
Understanding Sync Status Indicators
Each project in your library shows a small sync badge so you always know where your data stands. There are five possible states:
- Not Synced — The project exists only on this device. Sign in or upgrade to start syncing.
- Metadata Synced — Project details, markers, and transcriptions are safely in the cloud. Audio files remain local only (Free plan or Pro upload pending).
- Fully Synced — Everything, including audio, is backed up to the cloud. This is the most protected state. Available to Pro subscribers.
- Syncing (with progress %) — An upload or download is in progress. The percentage shows how much audio data has transferred. You can continue using the app normally while sync runs in the background.
- Error — Something went wrong, usually a network interruption. Tap the badge to retry. If the error persists, check your internet connection or visit Cloud Sync Troubleshooting for common fixes.
You can view the sync status of all projects at once from the Projects tab. A small cloud icon next to each project name indicates its current state at a glance.
Triggering a Manual Sync
12scribe syncs automatically every time you open the app, finish a recording, or complete a transcription. In most cases you never need to think about it. But if you want to force an immediate sync — for example, right before boarding a flight — you can trigger one manually.
To start a manual sync:
- Open the Projects tab.
- Pull down on the project list to reveal the sync control.
- 12scribe checks for any unsynced changes and begins uploading or downloading immediately.
Manual sync is also useful after a long offline period. If you recorded several sessions without internet access, pulling down ensures everything is queued for upload the moment you reconnect.