Help & FAQ

Answers to common questions about The Interview, the on-device transcription and rough-cut app for documentary filmmakers and journalists.

Getting help

How do I contact support?

Email athingby@gmail.com. Include your iPhone model, iOS version and what you were doing when the problem happened. A screenshot helps. You will get a reply from the developer, usually within a couple of days.

Is The Interview free?

Yes. Every feature is free for everyone, with no account and no ads. In the app's Support screen you can choose an optional monthly, yearly or one-time contribution to support development. It is a thank-you only and does not unlock anything.

What does it need?

An iPhone running iOS 17 or later. On-device translation needs iOS 18. The Live tab (live transcript and translation) needs iOS 26, and AI Cut also needs a device that supports Apple Intelligence, with Apple Intelligence turned on.

Transcription

Does transcription happen on my iPhone?

Yes. Transcription runs on the device using the open-source Whisper model. Your audio and video are never uploaded. The first time you use a model it is downloaded once (from Hugging Face), and after that transcription works with no connection.

Which model should I pick?

Small is the default and a good balance. Base is faster, Medium is more accurate, and Large V3 is the most accurate but is a download of about 630 MB and takes a few minutes to prepare the first time. In the field, download the model you need ahead of time in Settings.

Which languages are supported?

Around 100 languages. Pick the language actually spoken in the clip, not your phone's language. Live transcription and translation languages can be downloaded in Settings so the Live tab works offline.

The transcript has a mistake. Can I fix it?

Yes. Edit any word or line in the transcript editor. Subtitles exported afterwards use your corrected text.

Rough cuts and exports

How do I make a rough cut?

Open a transcribed clip, tap the words or lines you want to keep, then export. You can also use AI Cut: describe a topic and a target length, and Apple Intelligence selects the matching lines for you to review and adjust.

What's in the exported rough-cut folder?

The original, full-quality media file, a cut list with real in and out points into that original, and a quick _cut preview file. AirDrop the whole folder to your computer and keep the files together, because the cut list finds the media sitting next to it.

Which format should I choose for my editing software?

• Final Cut Pro (10.6 or later): choose Final Cut Pro (FCPXML), then in Final Cut Pro use File › Import › XML. The transcript comes in as captions on the timeline.
• Premiere Pro: choose Premiere / Resolve XML, then File › Import.
• DaVinci Resolve: choose Premiere / Resolve XML (or EDL), then File › Import › Timeline.
• Avid Media Composer and others: choose CMX 3600 EDL.

Subtitles are exported separately as SRT files, for the full transcript or for just the edited cut, original or translated.

My editor says the media is offline or missing.

The cut list expects the original media file in the same folder. Make sure you moved the whole folder, not only the XML or EDL file. If the media is somewhere else, use your editor's relink command (in Final Cut Pro, File › Relink Files) and point it at the _original file.

Release forms

How do release forms work?

In the Releases tab, generate a standard appearance release from a few questions, or bring your own PDF form. Hand the phone to the interviewee, who signs with a finger. The signed PDF and a short front-camera video of the signing are saved on your device, with a SHA-256 fingerprint of the video so you can show it hasn't been altered.

Is the generated release legally binding?

The template follows a typical documentary appearance release, but it is a starting point, not legal advice. Laws differ by country and production. Have a lawyer review any form you rely on.

Purchases

How do I cancel a support subscription?

On your iPhone, open Settings, tap your name, then Subscriptions, and choose The Interview. Cancel at least 24 hours before the renewal date. Nothing in the app changes when you cancel, because supporting never unlocked anything.

I changed phones. How do I restore my supporter status?

Open the Support screen in the app and tap Restore Purchases, signed in with the same Apple Account.

How do I get a refund?

Purchases are handled by Apple. Request a refund at reportaproblem.apple.com.

Your data

Where are my recordings, transcripts and releases stored?

Only on your iPhone, inside the app. The developer has no server and cannot see or recover them. Videos from your Photos library are read but never modified. See the Privacy Policy for details.

How do I delete my data?

Delete individual recordings, imported audio and releases inside the app. Deleting the app removes everything it stored on the device. Your Photos library is untouched either way.