How can we help?
A real person reads every email. We usually reply within one business day.
Quick fixes
My key was refused
A key works on three computers. Free one you no longer use with Deactivate this device in the app's menu, or from the customer portal, then try again. Polar reports a revoked key, an expired trial and "all three slots in use" the same way, so if that doesn't fix it, email us and we can see which it is.
I lost my license key
Open the customer portal and sign in with the email you used at checkout. Your key, receipts and installers are all there.
I'm offline and it says to connect
The app works offline for 14 days after its last license check. Connect to the internet once and restart it. That resets the 14 days.
Nothing types on my Mac
Check System Settings → Privacy & Security and make sure ScrinkleScribe is allowed under both Microphone and Accessibility. The hotkey needs Accessibility to work.
Common questions
Does it ever go online?
Only in the three ways the privacy policy lists. Setup downloads the speech model and the components the app runs on, once. When the app starts it checks your license with Polar, sending the key and an activation id (and your computer's name when you first activate a computer), never audio or text; offline, it keeps working for 14 days. And if you choose to switch on the optional online cleanup engine with your own API key, your dictated text and up to 60 characters before your cursor go to that provider. It is off by default.
How accurate is it?
It uses OpenAI's open Whisper models, running on your computer: large-v3-turbo on an NVIDIA graphics card or a Mac with 16 GB or more, and the smaller small.en model otherwise. Accuracy depends on your microphone, accent and vocabulary, so the free trial is the honest test. Add names and jargon to the custom dictionary to help it.
Is it a subscription?
No. You pay once and the license never expires. All 1.x updates are included. A future 2.0 would be a separate, optional upgrade.
How does the free trial work?
Get a free trial key, install the app and use the complete application for 14 days on up to three computers. No card required. When it ends, buy a license to keep going; anything you dictated stays yours.
What is your refund policy?
If it doesn't work for you, email us within 14 days of purchase for a full refund. No questions asked.
What hardware do I need?
On Windows: Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit, with 16 GB of RAM recommended. An NVIDIA graphics card lets it run the larger, more accurate speech model. On Mac: macOS 13 or later on Apple silicon (M1 or newer).
Do I need an account?
No. The app has no sign-up and no login. You get a license key by email and paste it in. If you ever need the key again, Polar's customer portal sends a one-time code to your purchase email.
Which languages does it support?
ScrinkleScribe is set up for English today.
What are the default shortcuts?
On Windows, hold Space to dictate, tap Right Ctrl for hands-free, and hold Right Ctrl for command mode. On Mac, hold fn (Globe) to dictate and hold Right Option for command mode. Every shortcut can be remapped.
What happens when the trial ends?
The app stops taking dictations and asks for a license key. Nothing is deleted: your history, settings and everything you dictated stay on your computer. Buy a license, paste the key, and carry on.
Can I use one license on Windows and Mac?
Yes. One license covers up to three computers on either platform. Free a slot any time with “Deactivate this device” in the app or from the customer portal.
Who processes my payment?
Polar, our merchant of record. Polar takes the payment, handles sales tax and VAT, and emails your receipt and license key. We never see your card number.
Is it HIPAA compliant?
We don't claim any compliance certification. What we can say exactly: transcription happens on your computer, there is no account, and we never receive your audio or text.