Privacy & security
A platform-by-platform explanation of what stays local, what cloud features send, and what syncs.
Updated July 2026
THOHT uses a different transcription route on each platform. This page explains what stays local, what is sent for cloud processing, and which data can sync.
On-device on Apple silicon Mac
On an Apple silicon Mac, core transcription can run entirely on your device. In that route, recording audio is processed locally and is not uploaded for transcription. It works offline and has no service usage cap.
Intel Macs cannot use THOHT's bundled local engine and therefore use Pro cloud transcription. iPhone and iPad are also cloud-only for transcription.
When data leaves your device
| Feature or setting | What's sent | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud transcription | Audio for that recording | Sent over HTTPS through THOHT's proxy to the cloud transcription processor; the proxy does not retain the audio |
| AI Auto Edit / custom prompts | Transcribed text, the selected prompt, and optional context | Processed to return edited text |
| Auto-Translate / AI reformat | The text to transform | Processed to return the requested result |
| App Store entitlement checks | Apple-signed transaction data | Verified to unlock Pro and apply service limits; no payment-card details are sent to THOHT |
On iPhone and iPad, THOHT presents a versioned cloud-processing disclosure. Mobile capture and cloud requests fail closed until you explicitly allow that processing, and the permission can be withdrawn later.
What we never collect
- We don't sell your data, show ads, or track you across other companies' apps and websites.
- Diagnostic logs never include recording audio or transcribed text.
- THOHT never receives your payment-card details; Apple handles subscription billing.
- Optional usage analytics use bucketed feature and performance data, not audio or transcription content, and remain off until you opt in.
For the full legal text and processor list, see the Privacy Policy.
Audio retention
Local audio retention defaults to 30 days and can be changed or turned off.
- Mac: Don't Store, 30 days, 90 days, 1 year, or Forever.
- iPhone & iPad: Off, 1 day, 7 days, or 30 days.
These retained copies stay on the device. On iPhone and iPad, THOHT excludes retained audio from backup. Retention does not change whether audio must be sent for a cloud transcription.
iCloud sync
THOHT can sync custom prompts, vocabulary, Personal Context, and selected settings through your iCloud account. This data uses Apple's iCloud infrastructure rather than a THOHT user-account system.
Transcription history and Notes do not sync. Each device keeps those stores locally, so deleting or editing a history item or Note on one device does not change another device.
Something unclear or out of date? Let us know.