Otter.ai has become a popular tool for transcribing meetings and conversations, but there might come a time when you decide it's no longer the right fit for your needs. Perhaps you're concerned about data privacy, looking for a different feature set, or simply want to declutter your digital life. Whatever your reason, a complete removal of Otter.ai involves more than just uninstalling an app. It's about ensuring your data is handled according to your wishes and that all traces of the service are gone.
Are you ready to regain full control over your meeting data and privacy? Let's embark on this journey to thoroughly remove Otter.ai from your digital ecosystem, step by step!
Step 1: Assess Your Otter.ai Footprint and Prepare for Departure
Before you begin the uninstallation and deletion process, it's crucial to understand where Otter.ai might reside and what data it holds. This initial assessment will help you ensure a complete and thorough removal.
Sub-heading: Identify All Otter.ai Touchpoints
Web Application: This is likely your primary interaction point. You've probably logged in through
otter.aion your web browser.Desktop Application: Did you install an Otter.ai desktop app for Windows or macOS?
Mobile Application: Check your smartphone or tablet for the Otter.ai app (iOS and Android).
Integrations: This is a critical area to check. Otter.ai integrates with various platforms. Think about:
Video Conferencing Tools: Did you allow OtterPilot to auto-join your Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams meetings?
Calendar Applications: Is Otter.ai linked to your Google Calendar or Outlook Calendar?
Productivity Tools: Have you connected it to Slack, Notion, Asana, or other project management/communication tools?
Browser Extensions: Did you install any Otter.ai browser extensions (e.g., for Chrome, Firefox)?
Sub-heading: Download and Back Up Your Data (Optional but Recommended)
Before deleting anything, consider if you want to keep any of your past conversations and transcripts. Otter.ai allows you to export your data. This is a crucial step if you have important information you might need later.
Navigate to the specific conversation you want to export.
Look for an "Export" option (usually represented by three dots or a download icon).
Otter.ai typically offers various export formats, including:
TXT: Plain text, no formatting. Good for basic transcript storage.
DOCX: Microsoft Word document. Retains formatting and is editable.
PDF: Fixed and uneditable. Ideal for official records.
SRT: SubRip Subtitle format. Useful if you need to add subtitles to videos.
Choose your preferred format and customize options like speaker names and timestamps.
Repeat this process for all conversations you wish to save.
Step 2: Cancel Your Otter.ai Subscription (If Applicable)
If you're on a paid Otter.ai plan, this is your first financial priority. Cancelling your subscription prevents future charges. Note that canceling typically means you'll retain access to paid features until the end of your current billing cycle, after which your account will revert to the free Basic plan.
Sub-heading: For Subscriptions Purchased Directly via Otter.ai Website
Log In: Go to the Otter.ai website and log in to your account.
Access Account Settings: Click on your profile photo or initial in the top left corner.
Navigate to Plan Tab: From the menu, select "Account Settings" and then click on the "Plan" tab.
Find Cancel Option: Scroll to the bottom of the plan page. You should see a "Cancel plan" link.
Confirm Cancellation: Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm your cancellation. You might be asked for feedback. Ensure you cancel at least 24 hours before your next billing date to avoid being charged.
Sub-heading: For Subscriptions Purchased via Mobile App (Apple App Store/Google Play Store)
If you subscribed through your mobile device, you must cancel the subscription through the respective app store.
For iOS (Apple App Store):
Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
Tap on your Apple ID (your name at the top).
Tap "Subscriptions."
Find Otter.ai in the list and tap on it.
Tap "Cancel Subscription" and confirm.
For Android (Google Play Store):
Open the Google Play Store app.
Tap your profile icon in the top right.
Tap "Payments & subscriptions" then "Subscriptions."
Find Otter.ai in the list and tap on it.
Tap "Cancel subscription" and follow the instructions.
Step 3: Disconnect Otter.ai from Integrated Services
This is where many users miss crucial steps in a "complete" removal. Otter.ai often has permissions to access your calendar, join meetings, and interact with other apps. Revoking these permissions is vital for privacy and to prevent the bot from unexpectedly appearing.
Sub-heading: Disable OtterPilot Auto-Joining Meetings
This is especially important if you used OtterPilot for automatic meeting transcription.
Log in to Otter.ai: Access your Otter.ai account through the website.
Go to Settings: Click the gear settings icon or your profile picture in the upper corner.
Find OtterPilot Settings: Look for a section related to "OtterPilot" or "Calendar."
Toggle Off Auto-Join: Disable the "Auto-join all meetings" option. Confirm the action if prompted.
Sub-heading: Remove Otter.ai from Video Conferencing Platforms
Microsoft Teams:
Go to the "Apps" tab in Microsoft Teams.
Find Otter.ai in the list of installed apps.
Click "More options" (three dots) next to Otter.ai.
Select "Uninstall" to remove the bot.
For administrators: You might also consider blocking the Otter.ai app in the Teams Admin Center under "Teams apps > Permission policies" and disabling "Allow anonymous users to join meetings" if you want to be extra secure.
Zoom/Google Meet: While direct "uninstallation" might not be as explicit as with Teams, ensure you've revoked any permissions granted during installation or first use. Check your Zoom Marketplace (for Zoom) or Google Workspace Marketplace (for Google Meet) for installed apps and remove Otter.ai. Also, review the authorized apps section within your Zoom or Google account settings.
Sub-heading: Revoke Access from Connected Applications
Access Otter.ai Account Settings: Log in to your Otter.ai web account and go to "Account Settings."
Look for "Apps" or "Integrations": There should be a tab or section dedicated to "Apps," "Integrations," or "Connected Accounts."
Revoke Access: Carefully review the list of connected applications and revoke access for any that mention Otter.ai. This might include your calendar, Slack, etc.
Step 4: Uninstall All Otter.ai Applications
Now it's time to remove the software from your devices.
Sub-heading: Desktop Application Uninstall
For Windows:
Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
Find Otter.ai in the list.
Click on it and select "Uninstall."
Follow any on-screen prompts.
For macOS:
Open Finder.
Go to the "Applications" folder.
Drag the Otter.ai application icon to the Trash.
Empty the Trash.
Optional but recommended: Search for leftover files. Application uninstallers don't always remove every trace. You can manually check folders like
~/Library/Application Support/Otter.ai,~/Library/Caches/Otter.ai, or~/Library/Preferences/com.Otter.ai.plistand delete any relevant files. Use caution when deleting files in your Library folder.
Sub-heading: Mobile Application Uninstall
For iOS:
Find the Otter.ai app icon on your home screen.
Press and hold the app icon until it jiggles.
Tap the "X" or "-" icon that appears on the app.
Tap "Delete App" to confirm.
For Android:
Find the Otter.ai app icon on your home screen or in your app drawer.
Press and hold the app icon.
Drag it to the "Uninstall" option that appears at the top or bottom of the screen, or tap the "i" (info) icon and then "Uninstall."
Confirm the uninstallation.
Sub-heading: Remove Browser Extensions
Google Chrome:
Open Chrome.
Click the three-dot menu in the top right corner.
Go to "More tools" > "Extensions."
Find the Otter.ai extension and click "Remove."
Mozilla Firefox:
Open Firefox.
Click the three-line menu in the top right corner.
Go to "Add-ons and themes."
Click "Extensions" on the left sidebar.
Find the Otter.ai extension and click the three-dot menu next to it, then select "Remove."
Microsoft Edge:
Open Edge.
Click the three-dot menu in the top right corner.
Go to "Extensions."
Find the Otter.ai extension and click "Remove."
Step 5: Permanently Delete Your Otter.ai Account
This is the final and irreversible step for complete removal. Be absolutely sure you've backed up any data you need before proceeding, as Otter.ai states that once an account is deleted, it cannot be recovered.
Sub-heading: Key Considerations Before Deletion
Active Subscriptions: As noted in Step 2, you must cancel any active paid subscriptions first. You cannot delete your account if you have an active paid plan. Your account must be on the free Basic plan. If you wish to forfeit your remaining subscription and delete immediately, you will need to contact Otter.ai support.
Workspace Members (Business Plans): If you are on a Business plan, you will need to remove or delete all other members from your Workspace before you can delete your own account.
Data Permanence: Understand that deleting your account will permanently erase all your conversations, transcripts, settings, and associated data from Otter.ai's servers. This includes shared conversations.
Sub-heading: The Account Deletion Process
Log In to Otter.ai: Go to the Otter.ai website and log in to your account.
Access Account Settings: Click on your profile photo or initial in the top left corner.
Navigate to General Tab: Select "Account Settings" and then click on the "General" tab.
Find Delete Account Option: Scroll to the very bottom of the General page. You should see a "Delete account" option.
Review and Confirm: Click on "Delete account." Otter.ai will present you with a warning about what will be permanently erased. Read this carefully.
Final Confirmation: Follow the prompts to confirm the deletion. You might need to enter your password for verification.
Email Confirmation: You should receive an email confirming that your account deletion process is complete. Keep this email for your records.
Step 6: Clean Up Remaining Traces (Advanced)
While the previous steps cover the primary removal, some minor traces might remain. This step is for those who want to be exceptionally thorough.
Sub-heading: Check Your Email Preferences
Even after account deletion, you might still be on Otter.ai's marketing email lists (though they should remove you from transactional emails related to your account).
Check Your Inbox: Search your email for any past Otter.ai communications.
Unsubscribe: Look for an "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of any marketing emails from Otter.ai and click it to opt out of future communications.
Sub-heading: Review Connected Accounts in Third-Party Services
Sometimes, even after revoking access within Otter.ai, the third-party service might still retain a record of the connection.
Google Account:
Go to your Google Account security page (
myaccount.google.com/security).Under "Third-party apps with account access," click "Manage third-party access."
Find Otter.ai (if it's still listed) and click "Remove Access."
Microsoft Account:
Go to your Microsoft account privacy dashboard.
Look for sections related to app permissions or connected services and remove Otter.ai if present.
Other Services: For other services you connected to Otter.ai (e.g., Slack, Notion, Asana), log into those services and check their integration or app settings to ensure Otter.ai is no longer listed or connected.
Step 7: Monitor and Verify
After completing all the steps, it's a good practice to monitor for a short period to ensure everything has been removed.
Check for Charges: If you had a paid subscription, monitor your bank statements or credit card bills for a month or two to confirm no further Otter.ai charges appear.
Search Your Devices: Do a quick search on your computer and phone for "Otter.ai" to ensure no application files or data folders remain (though this should be covered by the uninstall steps).
Meeting Invitations: If you previously had OtterPilot auto-joining meetings, ensure it no longer appears in your meeting participants.
By following these detailed steps, you can confidently and completely remove Otter.ai from your digital life, ensuring your privacy and data are handled as you wish.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - How to Completely Remove Otter.ai
How to export all my conversations from Otter.ai?
You can export individual conversations by going to the specific conversation, clicking the three-dot menu, and selecting "Export." You can choose formats like TXT, DOCX, PDF, or SRT. There isn't a direct "export all" button, so you'll need to export them one by one.
How to cancel my Otter.ai subscription if I purchased it through the Apple App Store?
To cancel an Otter.ai subscription bought via the Apple App Store, go to your iPhone/iPad's Settings app, tap your Apple ID, then Subscriptions, find Otter.ai, and tap "Cancel Subscription."
How to prevent OtterPilot from automatically joining my Zoom meetings?
Log into your Otter.ai account on the website, go to Account Settings, find the "OtterPilot" or "Calendar" section, and toggle off the "Auto-join all meetings" option.
How to uninstall the Otter.ai desktop application from a Windows PC?
On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find "Otter.ai" in the list, click on it, and select "Uninstall."
How to delete my Otter.ai account permanently?
Log into your Otter.ai web account, go to Account Settings > General, scroll to the bottom, and click "Delete account." Remember to cancel any active subscriptions and remove Workspace members first.
How to check if Otter.ai is still connected to my Google Account?
Go to your Google Account security page (myaccount.google.com/security), find "Third-party apps with account access," click "Manage third-party access," and remove Otter.ai if it's listed.
How to ensure all my data is removed when I delete my Otter.ai account?
When you permanently delete your Otter.ai account, Otter.ai states that all conversations, transcripts, and data associated with your account are permanently deleted from their servers and are not recoverable.
How to unsubscribe from Otter.ai marketing emails?
Open any marketing email you've received from Otter.ai, scroll to the bottom, and click the "unsubscribe" link.
How to remove the Otter.ai browser extension from Google Chrome?
Open Chrome, click the three-dot menu, go to "More tools" > "Extensions," find the Otter.ai extension, and click "Remove."
How to get a refund for my Otter.ai subscription after canceling?
Otter.ai generally states that subscriptions are non-refundable. However, if you believe you have a special circumstance or encountered an issue, it's best to contact Otter.ai support directly at support@otter.ai to inquire about a refund.
