Troubleshooting the iPhone App

Common snags with the iPhone app and how to clear them. If your issue isn't here, see Known issues and limitations or email support@groupthink.com.

My recording had no transcription

The most common cause is that you were on a phone call. iOS doesn't let any app record call audio, so a recording started during a call captures silence and comes back empty. Groupthink now warns you when you start recording during a call. This isn't fixable in settings — see Recording conversations for what you can do instead.

If you weren't on a call, check that the microphone is on (Settings → On-device access → Microphone), and that there was audible speech — a very quiet or very noisy recording can transcribe to little or nothing.

It says the microphone is off

Groupthink can't record without microphone access. Open Settings → On-device access → Microphone and tap it to go to the app's iOS Settings page, then turn Microphone on. iOS won't re-ask once you've declined, which is why the app sends you straight there.

I don't see a summary, only a transcript

On-device summaries use Apple Intelligence, which needs a recent iPhone (15 Pro or newer). On older phones you get the full transcript but not the summary. Nothing's broken — the summary is the part your device can't generate.

The Overview or People tab is asking me to sign in

Both tabs are server-backed and need you to sign in. Tap Sign in with Apple or Sign in with Google. If you'd rather not, recording and notes keep working on the device without an account. See Sync and signing in.

The Overview won't load

If the Overview shows Taking longer than usual - still trying., the app is already trying again on its own, up to five more times. You don't need to do anything.

If it shows an error screen instead, the title tells you what happened:

• You're offline: turn on Wi-Fi or cellular data, then tap Retry.
• Couldn't reach Groupthink: the connection dropped. Check it, then tap Retry.
• Groupthink took too long: the request timed out. Wait a moment, then tap Retry.
• Groupthink couldn't build your Daily Overview: the problem is on our side and usually clears on its own. Wait a moment, then tap Retry.
• Groupthink returned an error: retrying won't help. Email support@groupthink.com if it keeps happening.
• Something unexpected came back: tap Retry, and update the app if it keeps happening.
• Sign in again: your sign-in expired. Tap Sign in.

More detail on each screen is in Your Daily Overview.

Interactions only shows what I captured on this phone

When you're signed out, the Interactions tab can only list what this phone recorded or saved, so it can look out of date if you mostly use Groupthink on the web or desktop. Sign in and the list switches to your whole account, including meetings and notes from other devices. See Your recent interactions.

If you're already signed in and something recent is missing, pull down on the list to refresh it.

My recent interactions won't load

When the list can't reach your account, a card at the top of the list says what happened. The captures on this phone stay listed underneath it either way.

• You're offline: turn on Wi-Fi or cellular data, then tap Try again.
• Couldn't reach Groupthink: the connection dropped. Check it, then tap Try again.
• Groupthink took too long: the request timed out. Wait a moment, then tap Try again.
• Groupthink couldn't load your interactions: the problem is on our side and usually clears on its own. Wait a moment, then tap Try again.
• Groupthink turned that request down: retrying won't help, so there's no Try again button. Email support@groupthink.com if it keeps happening.
• Something unexpected came back: tap Try again, and update the app if it keeps happening.

If your sign-in has expired, the app signs you out instead of showing a card. The list goes back to this phone's captures, and Overview and People ask you to sign in again.

Someone I just texted isn't showing up

Texts don't come from your iPhone. They come from the Groupthink desktop app on a Mac, which reads your Messages history there. So a text shows up only after the Mac has read it. Check these in order:

1. Is the desktop app running on your Mac, with Messages in iCloud on? Your texts have to reach the Mac first.
2. Has it checked since you texted? It checks about a minute after it opens, then every six hours. Opening the desktop app runs a check.
3. Did you pick that conversation? Only conversations you chose in the desktop app are read. See Import Your Messages History on a Mac.
4. Is their number on their Groupthink contact? Texts are matched by phone number or Apple ID email, not by name. If the number is missing, the conversation lands without a person. File it to them from the import, or add the number with Add phone on their page on the web or desktop.
5. Was it a group text? Group texts aren't read, so a message in a group chat won't appear on anyone's record.

My captures aren't syncing to my other devices

Cross-device sync runs through your private iCloud, so both devices need to be signed into the same iCloud account with iCloud Drive on. Check Settings → Sync in the app for the iCloud status. If it says no account is signed in, sign into iCloud from the iOS Settings app. Sync can take a couple of minutes to catch up.

The recording stopped when I locked the phone

It shouldn't — recording is designed to continue through lock and app-switch, with a "Recording" entry on your lock screen. If it stopped, make sure you didn't tap Stop from the lock-screen entry, and that iOS didn't end it for low power. Try again and watch for the timer at the top of the screen.

A link wouldn't ingest

Link ingest works for articles, posts, and reference pages, but not for videos, PDFs, or pages behind a login. When a page can't be read, Groupthink saves the link itself so you don't lose it. See Capturing notes, links, and the Share sheet.

Still stuck? Email support@groupthink.com with your app version (Settings → About).