Grain's desktop capture feature automatically transcribes and generates AI notes for any meeting by capturing audio directly from your computer—no meeting bot required.
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Why use desktop capture?
Desktop capture solves key limitations of traditional meeting bots:
Universal compatibility: Get AI notes on platforms where bots can't join, like Slack Huddles, in-person meetings, or ad-hoc calls
No bot management: Eliminate the hassle of managing when bots join meetings
Seamless experience: Auto-detects meetings and captures them without disrupting participants
Private by default: All captures remain private unless you choose to share them
Getting started with desktop capture
Desktop capture uses your computer's audio to transcribe and summarize meetings. Here's how to get started:
Grant permissions: Grain will request microphone and screen recording permissions to capture audio from your computer
Configure auto-capture settings: Choose which meeting types to automatically capture:
Internal meetings: Scheduled meetings with only participants from your workspace domain(s)
External meetings: Scheduled meetings with participants outside your workspace domain(s)
Unscheduled meetings: Ad-hoc meetings and Slack huddles Grain detects
Start capturing: Either manually start a capture using the "New" button on the Meetings page, or let Grain auto-detect and capture meetings based on your settings
When a meeting ends, Grain automatically stops capturing, opens the desktop app, and begins generating your AI notes.
Using the feature
Stopping captures: Desktop capture automatically detects when your meeting ends and stops recording. You can also use the capture controller to stop recording at any time, or discard the capture entirely if no data should be stored
After meetings: Find your desktop captures under the "My Meetings" tab—they're marked with a distinctive icon to indicate they are AI notes without video
Sharing notes: Copy a link to share AI notes with others, or copy the note text directly
Transcripts: Access full meeting transcripts by clicking the transcript icon in the top-right corner
Editing: Notes from Desktop Capture are fully editable. Click on any line to modify the text, adjust formatting, or reorganize content as needed.
Common questions
What devices support desktop capture?
Desktop capture currently works on Mac Apple Silicon computers only. Windows support is coming soon. We don't have plans to support Linux or Intel-based Mac computers.
Do desktop captures have video?
No, desktop captures only provide transcripts and AI notes. If you need video recordings, you can continue using Grain's meeting bot recorders—desktop capture works alongside your existing video recordings as an additional feature.
Are desktop captures shared automatically?
No. Desktop captures are always private by default and are never automatically shared with meeting participants or your workspace. You control when and how to share them.
How are desktop captures different from bot recordings?
Desktop captures:
Don't include video (audio only)
Are always private by default
Don't require a bot to join the meeting
Work on any platform or in-person meetings
Do I need consent to use desktop capture?
Yes, you should ensure you have appropriate consent from other meeting participants before capturing meetings, as required by local laws and the company
policies.
Can I use desktop capture for voice memos?
Absolutely! Desktop capture is perfect for recording quick voice memos or solo brainstorming sessions that you want transcribed and summarized.
What if I don't want to capture a specific meeting?
You can stop a capture and discard it at any time, so no data is stored using the capture controller. You can also adjust your auto-capture settings to be more selective about which meetings are automatically captured.
Legal considerations
Below is some general information on the laws and regulations that relate to transcriptions, as well as some best practices to consider when using Grain's desktop capture feature.
👋 Note: This section is provided for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. You are responsible for ensuring that your use of Grain complies with all applicable laws and regulations.
Laws related to transcribing communications
Recording or transcribing calls requires participant consent, though requirements vary by location:
United States: Some states require consent from at least one participant, while others require all participants to consent
European Union and other regions: Similar consent requirements apply
Beyond consent, additional laws may govern how you use, store, and share recordings. Requirements depend on participant locations, business sector, and industry standards. If you're unsure of the laws applicable to you, please research them or consult counsel.
Some best practices for transcribing communications
Obtaining consent
When participants are in multiple jurisdictions or locations are unsure, we recommend that you obtain consent from all participants before using Grain's desktop capture feature.
Other Best practices:
Clearly explain that you'll transcribe the call using a third-party provider (Grain.com)
Respect participants who decline to be transcribed
Obtain consent from new participants who join mid-call
Communicate how you'll use and share transcriptions
Use transcriptions only as disclosed and in compliance with applicable laws
Need more help? Contact our support team.