How to turn an existing recording into meeting notes

Last updated: October 16, 2026

To get notes from a recording you already have, upload it to an AI notetaker that accepts files. In Circleback, open the New meeting dropdown, choose Import, and pick an audio or video file up to 2 GB (MP3, MP4, WAV, M4A, MOV and other common formats). Circleback transcribes it and writes notes, action items and insights the same way it does for a live meeting. Imports work on every plan, including Free.

As of October 2026, Otter.ai, Fireflies.ai and tl;dv also accept uploaded files. Fathom and Granola don't.

This post comes from Circleback, so keep that in mind where it covers Circleback. Everything about the other tools comes from their own help centers and pricing pages, linked below. Where one of them works differently, the post says so.

Which AI notetakers accept uploaded recordings?

Here's what each tool's own documentation says, as of October 2026:

A few things the table leaves out:

• Otter counts imports by plan. Basic gets 3 imports for the life of the account, Pro gets 10 a month, and Business is unlimited.
• tl;dv's uploads are still in beta. Its help center says uploaded videos must be 3 hours or less.
• Fathom doesn't support uploaded calls. It only records and transcribes live meetings on Zoom, Google Meet and Microsoft Teams.
• Granola never saves audio. Its docs say it "does not support importing or uploading pre-recorded audio files." Circleback can also skip saving audio when you turn off recording storage. For Granola, it does mean there's never a file to upload anywhere, including into Granola.

How do I import a recording in Circleback?

On web or desktop

1. Open the New meeting dropdown.
2. Choose Import.
3. Pick an audio or video file up to 2 GB.

If the recording belongs to a meeting on your calendar, you can link it to that calendar event. Circleback then transcribes the file and generates notes, action items and insights, the same as for a meeting it recorded live. The import a meeting guide covers every option.

On mobile

You can import a file from inside the Circleback app. You can also start from the app the recording is in. In Voice Memos, a call recorder app or Files, tap Share and choose Circleback.

The share sheet is how most people will use this. When someone records a client conversation on their phone, the file already sits in Voice Memos or a recorder app. Two taps send it to Circleback.

What about phone calls?

The Circleback mobile app doesn't record phone call audio directly. Record the call with a call recorder app, then share that file to Circleback. Before you record anyone, check the consent rules where you and the other person are.

How do I move my recordings from Otter to Circleback?

Circleback can't pull meetings directly from Otter, so you export them from Otter and then import them into Circleback.

1. Export from Otter. Export the audio of each conversation you want to move. To see which export options your Otter plan includes, check their pricing page.
2. Import into Circleback. Upload each audio file through New meeting, then Import (or from your phone's share sheet).

Only the audio moves over. Circleback writes new notes from that audio. Your Otter summaries and notes stay in Otter unless you export them separately.

One thing to know before you move a large backlog: on Circleback's Free plan, meetings older than 30 days are locked, and that includes imports. They aren't deleted. Pro has unlimited meeting history, and upgrading unlocks the locked meetings.

Can I import meetings directly from Fathom, Fireflies or Granola?

Yes. Circleback has direct imports from Fathom, Fireflies, Granola and Read AI. This is separate from file upload, and those are the only four apps it covers. Granola folders, Fireflies channels and Read AI folders come over as Circleback folders. See import meetings from other apps for the steps. Otter and Gong aren't supported, which is why Otter users need the export and upload steps above.

Developers can also bring in transcripts and notes with Circleback's import API; it doesn't take audio or video files.

Frequently asked questions

Can I turn a meeting recording into written notes with AI?
Yes. Upload the audio or video file to a notetaker that accepts imports. In Circleback you get a transcript, notes, action items and insights from the file, on any plan.

What file types can I import into Circleback?
MP3, MP4, WAV, M4A, MOV and other common audio and video formats, up to 2 GB per file.

Is importing a recording free in Circleback?
Yes, file import works on every plan. On Free, meetings older than 30 days are locked (not deleted), imports included. Pro has unlimited history.

Can Granola transcribe a recording I already have?
No. As of October 2026, Granola's docs say it does not support importing or uploading pre-recorded audio files.

Can Fathom summarize an uploaded recording?
No. As of October 2026, Fathom's help center says it does not support uploaded calls and only works on live Zoom, Google Meet and Microsoft Teams meetings.

Can Circleback import my Otter meetings directly?
No. Export the audio from each Otter conversation, then upload it to Circleback with Import.

How do I get a Voice Memos recording into my meeting notes?
In Voice Memos, tap Share on the recording and choose Circleback. It shows up as a meeting with a transcript, notes and action items.