Transcription and dictation software for MacBook and iPhone

I need a good, dependable, accurate and affordable transcription software solution for a high volume (3-6) of 1-2 hour meetings recorded per week.

While I'm at it if anyone knows of decent dictation software please add that to your recommendations. Native dictation just loves to go back and "correct" things right as I'm sending them. Not to mention the joy of having to correct this message five times. And then wait a full minute before sending to ensure it has quit trying to change things, and yes I had to make two more corrections.

I work with a MacBook running on the M3 pro and an iPhone 17.

MacBook Pro (M3 Pro, 2023)

Posted on Mar 26, 2026 10:52 AM

Reply
8 replies

Mar 26, 2026 11:59 PM in response to MudPuddle_Pirate

If your iPhone dictation consistently types "Kruse" instead of "cruise," here's how you can correct it:

  1. Train the Dictation System
    1. Use dictation in a text field (like Messages or Notes) and say "cruise."
    2. When it types "Kruse," manually edit it to "cruise."
    3. Repeat this a few times. Over time, the dictation system may learn your preference.
  2. Retrain Siri with your voice. Go to Settings > Siri (or Apple Intelligence & Siri). Tap Talk to Siri, then tap Off. Turn on “Siri” or “Hey Siri” again, then ...Change Siri settings on iPhone
  3. Add a Text Replacement
    1. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement.
    2. Tap the + button to add a new replacement.
    3. In the Phrase field, type "cruise."
    4. In the Shortcut field, type "Kruse."
    5. Now, whenever "Kruse" is mistakenly typed, it will autocorrect to "cruise."
  4. Check Contact Names
    1. If "Kruse" is a contact in your address book, the system might prioritize it.
    2. Go to Contacts and check for any entries named "Kruse." If it's not needed, consider editing or removing it.
  5. Reset Keyboard Dictionary
    1. If the problem persists, resetting the keyboard dictionary can help:
    2. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Keyboard Dictionary.
    3. Confirm the reset. Note that this will erase all custom words learned by the keyboard.
  6. Enable Siri Pronunciation Feedback
  7. If "Kruse" is related to Siri misunderstanding you, you can provide feedback:
      1. Ask Siri, "Who is Kruse?"
      2. If Siri shows the incorrect suggestion, say, "That's not how you pronounce 'cruise.'"
  8. Follow the prompts to correct the pronunciation.


Mar 26, 2026 11:58 PM in response to MudPuddle_Pirate

You need to look for it in the App Store.


In Apple Support Community, the focus is typically on helping users and providing solutions rather than promoting or advertising specific apps. If I suggest apps from the App Store as a community member, it's possible that the community moderators might consider it as a promotion or advertising.


They have guidelines in place to prevent excessive promotion, spam, or conflicts of interest. These guidelines are designed to ensure the community remains a helpful and unbiased space for users to seek assistance.




Mar 26, 2026 11:59 PM in response to MudPuddle_Pirate

Add a keyboard of the desired language and if the language is supported for dictation then dictation language is automatically added under Settings > General > > Keyboard > Dictation Language


There isn't a strict language division between "Charli" and "Charlie." Both spellings are primarily used in English.


  • Charlie: This is the more common spelling, traditionally used as a masculine name or a nickname for Charles.However, it's becoming increasingly popular as a unisex name.
  • Charli: This is a less common variation, often seen as a more feminine or creative spelling of "Charlie." It can also be a nickname for Charlotte or Charlene.


While some sources suggest a German origin for "Charli," it's not widely recognized and both spellings are considered part of the English language.




Mar 26, 2026 11:59 PM in response to MudPuddle_Pirate

  1. Is this your corporate/organisation/enterprise/School Management iPhone? Then please contact the system administrator of your corporate//organisation/enterprise/School Management
  2. If it is your device, in that case, do you have any profile installed by your corporate/organisation/enterprise/School Management?
    1. Erase the profile added by you If you have installed a profile on your own --> Install or remove configuration profiles on iPhone - Apple ...
    2. Or please contact the system administrator of the organisation who provided the profile to you



A corporate profile installed on your iPhone could potentially be contributing to the inaccessibility of certain features. 

Here's why:

  • Restrictions: Corporate profiles can have restrictions placed on apps and functionalities. These restrictions might be limiting some activity, causing it to be unresponsive or quit.
  • Managed Apps: IT departments might deploy specific navigation apps through the profile, potentially blocking certain functions or features.
  • Security Settings: Corporate profiles often have stricter security settings that could affect app or function behavior. This might be causing unexpected behavior of an App or functions.


Here's what you can do:

  • Check with IT: The best course of action is to contact your IT department. They can explain the restrictions set by the corporate profile and see what is affected. They might be able to adjust settings or suggest alternative apps or features approved for corporate use.
  • Look for App Conflicts: See if your IT department uses a different app through the corporate profile. Conflicting apps might cause crashes.


Additional points to consider:

  • Even if the profile isn't directly affecting the function, it's still a good idea to check with IT. They might be aware of similar issues and have workarounds.
  • While troubleshooting, make sure you prioritize safety. Don't fiddle with your phone. 


By working with IT and considering these possibilities, you can hopefully identify if the corporate profile is the culprit and find a solution that allows you to use the iPhone to your liking.



Mar 27, 2026 8:40 AM in response to MudPuddle_Pirate

MudPuddle_Pirate wrote:

I need a good, dependable, accurate and affordable transcription software solution for a high volume (3-6) of 1-2 hour meetings recorded per week. While I'm at it if anyone knows of decent dictation software please add that to your recommendations.

Have you tried this one? There is a free version


https://goodsnooze.gumroad.com/l/macwhisper



Mar 27, 2026 9:20 AM in response to SravanKrA

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. As to your advice to look in the app store, that isn't all that helpful. Unless I'm missing it there are no reviews by Apple staff of the offerings. There are so many offerings that reviews or recommendations would be appreciated, as the quality varies widely.

That is why I was looking for some recommendations here. AI is only two willing to offer suggestions, but I've noticed they generally tend to be based on marketing blurbs rather than actual reviews by actual users.

But thank you again for your help.


Mar 27, 2026 9:36 AM in response to SravanKrA

The phone in question is owned by me, so some of what you worked so hard telling me doesn't apply. I thank you though for all that work.

As to teaching the dictation software, I'm a little busy for that.

The biggest problem with the software is homophones, or near homophones, especially the latter. Aside from choosing to type the wrong word, the AI's associative software will take the wrong word and create a phrase or sentence that matches what it thinks I was saying. These creations almost always have no relevance to what was being spoken.

Then there are the times it will type the correct word and then go back and change it. A particular aggravation is when it goes back and changes something and then goes back and changes it again. That becomes infuriating when I have gone back to correct it myself, while it is drying (autoCorrect left in place) to correct the correction.

But I am sure that is all part of the growing pains of this technology.

However, if I could find a more accurate dictation system I would welcome it.

Transcription and dictation software for MacBook and iPhone

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