Capture Watch Support

Getting Started

How do I start recording?

Open the app on your Apple Watch and tap the red record button. That's it. To stop, tap the button again.

For one-tap recording: Add the Capture complication to your watch face. Then tap it to start recording instantly.

How do I set up the Watch face complication?

1. Long-press your Apple Watch face
2. Tap "Edit"
3. Swipe to the complications screen
4. Tap a complication slot
5. Scroll to find "Capture"
6. Select it and tap "Done"

Recording

How long can I record?

Foreground (app open): Unlimited — as long as the app is visible on your Watch screen.

Background (screen off): Up to 30 minutes (Apple's limit for extended runtime sessions on watchOS).

What happens if my Watch screen turns off during recording?

The app keeps recording in the background for up to 30 minutes. You'll see a recording indicator at the top of your Watch screen.

To stop early, wake your Watch and tap the recording indicator (or tap stop in the app).

What audio quality does it record at?

M4A format (default):

• AAC codec @ 256 kbps
• 44.1 kHz sample rate
• ~1 MB per minute

WAV format (optional, enable in iPhone settings):

• Lossless audio
• 44.1 kHz @ 16-bit
• ~10 MB per minute

Playback & Export

Where do my recordings go?

Recordings automatically sync from your Apple Watch to your iPhone via iCloud. Open the Capture app on your iPhone to see all recordings.

Can I listen to recordings on my Watch?

Not yet. Recordings are stored on your iPhone for playback. (Watch storage is limited — we prioritize fast, reliable recording over on-device playback.)

How do I share a recording?

On your iPhone:

1. Open the Capture app
2. Tap a recording to play it
3. Tap the share button
4. Choose: Messages, Mail, Voice Memos, Files, AirDrop, etc.

How do I delete a recording?

In the iPhone app, swipe left on any recording and tap "Delete".

Syncing & iCloud

Why aren't my recordings syncing?

Check these:

• iCloud enabled: Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → toggle on for Capture
• Watch connected: Make sure your Watch is within Bluetooth range of your iPhone
• Storage available: Ensure you have iCloud storage space (Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → Manage Storage)

Syncing can take 30-60 seconds after reconnecting your Watch to your iPhone.

Do I need an internet connection?

No. Recording works completely offline. Syncing to your iPhone happens over Bluetooth/Wi-Fi (local connection), not the internet.

Settings

How do I switch to WAV format?

On your iPhone:

1. Open the Capture app
2. Tap the settings icon (gear) in the top-right
3. Toggle "Use WAV Format" on

All new recordings will use WAV. Existing recordings keep their original format.

Can I rename recordings?

Not yet. Recordings are named with the date and time (e.g., "2026-03-06 14:32"). We're considering custom titles for a future update.

Privacy & Data

Is my audio sent to the cloud?

No. Recordings stay on your Apple Watch and iPhone. They sync via your personal iCloud account, which is end-to-end encrypted.

We don't have servers. We don't see your audio. It never leaves your devices or iCloud.

Does Capture collect any data?

No. Zero tracking. Zero analytics. Zero ads. We don't even know how many recordings you make.

Read our full Privacy Policy.

Troubleshooting

The app won't record / crashes on start

Try this:

1. Force-quit the app on your Watch (press Digital Crown to exit)
2. Restart your Apple Watch (hold side button, drag "Power Off")
3. Check that microphone permissions are enabled (iPhone → Settings → Privacy → Microphone → Capture)

Recordings are cutting off early

If recording in the background (screen off), Apple's watchOS limits background sessions to 30 minutes max.

For longer recordings: Keep the app open on your Watch screen (raise to wake, or tap the screen periodically).

Audio quality sounds bad

• Make sure you're speaking clearly and close to the Watch
• Try switching to WAV format in settings (much higher quality, but larger files)
• Check if the Watch microphone is blocked by clothing, a case, or water

The complication isn't showing up

Make sure the Capture app is installed on your Watch (not just your iPhone). Check the Watch app on your iPhone → My Watch → scroll to Capture.

System Requirements

• Apple Watch: Series 4 or later
• watchOS: 10.0 or later
• iPhone: iOS 17.0 or later (for the companion app)
• iCloud: Required for syncing recordings between Watch and iPhone