Can you use HoldSay offline?

See what stays local and what needs the internet.

HoldSay's core voice work runs on your computer once the local models are ready.

Dictation, meeting recording, file transcription, speaker labels, and summaries all work without a connection. Only a few setup and maintenance checks still use the internet.

Airplane mode on: dictation, recording and summaries keep working.

What works without a connection

Once the speech and summary models have been downloaded, every core workflow runs locally: dictation at the cursor, meeting and in-person recording, file transcription, speaker labels, and summaries. You can turn Wi-Fi off in the middle of a meeting and everything keeps working, and your audio and transcripts stay on your computer the whole time.

Downloaded models keep dictation, recording, file transcription, and review available on the computer.

This is the normal way HoldSay works, not a fallback mode. Flights, client sites, and locked-down networks change nothing about the result.

What still needs the internet

A few housekeeping tasks use the internet: downloading the speech models on first launch, verifying your license, and checking for updates. None of them carry your audio or your text.

Internet is used for setup and maintenance, not for the core local voice workflow.

Before working offline, make sure the setup is done:

• Models downloaded: open HoldSay once while online and let every model finish downloading.
• License activated: complete activation so the device seat is verified.
• Quick test: disconnect and dictate one sentence, so you know everything works before it matters.

Common questions

Does HoldSay work offline?

Yes. After the one-time model download, dictation, recording, file transcription, speaker labels, and summaries all run on your computer with no connection.

Why does HoldSay need the internet during setup?

The internet is used to download the local speech models, verify your license, and check for updates. After setup, the core voice work is local.

Are my recordings uploaded when HoldSay checks for updates?

No. Update and license checks do not carry your audio or transcripts. Recordings stay in the local library on your computer.

If a label on this page does not match the app, email support@holdsay.com. Include Mac or Windows and the HoldSay version shown in Settings.