Notability Recording: How to Record Lectures (and a Free Alternative)

To record in Notability, open a note and tap the Microphone in the top toolbar; tap it again to stop. Recording needs a paid plan: the free Starter plan does not include it. Below are the exact steps, how playback and the transcript work, the most common reasons recording seems missing, and a simpler option if you only use an iPhone.

How to record a lecture in Notability

1. Open or create a note for the class.
2. Tap the Microphone in the top toolbar. Recording starts immediately.
3. Take notes as usual. Anything you write or type while recording is linked to that moment in the audio.
4. Tap the Microphone again to stop.
5. Play it back: tap the down arrow next to the Microphone to open the playback bar, then tap Play. During playback, tap a word, sketch or photo to hear what was said at that moment.

Steps from Notability's own guide, How to Record Lectures in Notability.

Which plan you need

As of October 2026 (notability.com/pricing): the free Starter plan does not include audio recording. Plus adds "record & transcribe audio". Pro adds unlimited live transcription and AI summaries in real time. If the microphone does nothing on a free account, this is usually why.

How the transcript works

On paid plans, Notability transcribes while it records. The transcript is connected to your notes in both directions: tap a paragraph of the transcript to see what you were writing, or tap your handwriting to see what was being said. It is a strong setup if you take handwritten notes on an iPad.

Recording missing or not working? Check these

• Plan: recording is not part of the free Starter plan.
• Microphone permission: iPhone or iPad Settings, Notability, Microphone on.
• Location: the Microphone appears inside a note, not on the library screen.
• Storage: long recordings need free space on the device.

Only have an iPhone? A simpler way to get lecture notes

Notability's best feature, audio synced to handwriting, needs an iPad and a pencil. On an iPhone, most students do not handwrite during class; they want the lecture turned into notes afterwards. That is what an AI voice recorder does.

Audio Notes AI records the lecture (it keeps recording with the screen locked), then gives you:

• a full transcript in 60+ languages from OpenAI's Whisper model,
• a summary and key points to review in minutes,
• a chat to ask questions about the lecture,
• translation into your own language,
• imports for recordings and lecture videos you already have.

It needs internet for transcription, handles up to 90 minutes per recording, and has no handwriting sync. It is free to try for your first 3 notes or 60 minutes of transcription.

More options in our best lecture recorder apps comparison, and the full workflow in how to record a lecture on iPhone. Get Audio Notes AI on the App Store.