So, you've decided to bid farewell to Otter.ai? Whether it's to streamline your digital tools, manage expenses, or simply explore other options, discontinuing a service can sometimes feel like navigating a maze. But don't worry, you're in the right place! This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the process, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free departure from Otter.ai.
Step 1: Are You Absolutely Sure? Let's Confirm Your Decision!
Before we dive into the technicalities, let's take a moment. Are you certain you want to discontinue Otter.ai? It's a powerful transcription tool, and sometimes, users just need a different plan or to adjust settings rather than fully canceling.
Consider your current usage: Are you using it less frequently? Do you find the features don't quite match your needs anymore?
Explore alternative plans: Perhaps a downgrade to the free Basic plan would suffice if you only need occasional transcription. Remember, even after canceling a paid subscription, you'll typically revert to the Basic plan with applicable limits. Your conversations will remain in your account, but access may be limited to the most recent 25 on the Basic plan.
Check integrations: If Otter.ai is integrated with your meeting platforms (Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams), consider whether you want to completely disconnect it or just stop the auto-join feature.
If you've considered these points and are still ready to move on, then let's proceed!
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| How To Discontinue Otter Ai |
Step 2: Backup Your Precious Conversations (Highly Recommended!)
This is a crucial step, especially if you have important conversations transcribed by Otter.ai. While Otter.ai states that conversations generally remain in your account even after cancellation (unless you delete your account), it's always best practice to have a local backup. You never know when you might need access to those insights!
Sub-heading: How to Export Your Transcriptions
Otter.ai offers various export options for your conversations.
Sign In to Otter.ai: Go to the Otter.ai website and log in to your account.
Navigate to Your Conversations: Find the conversations you wish to export. You can go into each conversation individually.
Look for the Export Option: Within each conversation, you'll typically find an "Export" or "Download" option. This might be under a "..." menu or a clear icon.
Choose Your Format: Otter.ai usually allows you to export in various formats, such as:
Text (.txt): A simple text file.
DOCX (.docx): A Microsoft Word document (often for paid users).
PDF (.pdf): A portable document format (often for paid users).
SRT (.srt): A subtitle file format (useful for video integration, often for paid users).
Pro Tip: Even if you're on a free plan, you can often copy and paste the transcript directly into a document if other export options are restricted.
Customize Export Settings (if available): You might have options to include speaker names, timestamps, or merge same speaker segments. Choose what best suits your needs.
Initiate the Download: Click to export, and your file will be downloaded to your device. Repeat this for all essential conversations.
Step 3: Cancel Your Otter.ai Subscription (The Main Event!)
The method to cancel your subscription depends on how you initially purchased it.
Tip: Pause, then continue with fresh focus.
Sub-heading: If You Subscribed Directly Through Otter.ai (Web)
This is the most common scenario for users who signed up via the Otter.ai website.
Log In to Otter.ai: Access your Otter.ai account through a web browser.
Access Account Settings: On the left-hand navigation menu, click on your profile icon or name. From the dropdown, select "Account Settings."
Go to the Plan Tab: Within Account Settings, look for the "Plan" tab and click on it.
Find "Cancel Plan": Scroll to the bottom of the "Plan" page, usually under "Payment History." You should see a "Cancel plan" link or button.
Review and Confirm: A pop-up window will appear, providing information about your cancellation and what to expect (e.g., you can continue using paid features until the end of your current billing cycle). Carefully read this information. Click "Cancel Subscription" to confirm.
Verify Cancellation: You should receive a confirmation message on the screen, and often an email from Otter.ai, confirming your subscription cancellation. Keep this email for your records.
Sub-heading: If You Subscribed Through Apple App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android)
If you purchased your Otter.ai subscription via a mobile app store, you must cancel it through that respective store. Uninstalling the app does not automatically cancel your subscription.
For Apple App Store (iOS):
Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
Tap your name/Apple ID at the top.
Tap "Subscriptions."
Find Otter.ai in your list of subscriptions.
Tap "Cancel Subscription."
For Google Play Store (Android):
Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
Tap "Payments & subscriptions," then "Subscriptions."
Find Otter.ai in your list.
Tap "Cancel subscription."
Step 4: Consider Deleting Your Otter.ai Account (Optional, but for Full Discontinuation)
Canceling your subscription stops future billing, but your account and its data will typically remain. If you want a complete removal of your presence on Otter.ai, you'll need to delete your account.
Sub-heading: How to Delete Your Otter.ai Account
This action is generally irreversible, so ensure you have backed up all necessary data from Step 2!
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Log In to Otter.ai: As before, sign in to your Otter.ai account on the web.
Access Account Settings: Click on your profile icon or name on the left navigation menu, then select "Account Settings."
Navigate to the General Tab: Within Account Settings, click on the "General" tab.
Find "Delete Account": Scroll to the very bottom of the "General" tab. You should see an option labeled "Delete Account."
Enter Your Password and Confirm: For security purposes, you will likely be prompted to enter your password and click "Verify and continue" or a similar button. Carefully read any warnings about data deletion. Confirm that you wish to proceed with deleting your account.
Tip: Stop when confused — clarity comes with patience.
Step 5: Disconnect Otter.ai from Integrated Services (Important for Privacy!)
If you've connected Otter.ai to services like Zoom, Google Calendar, or Microsoft Teams for automatic meeting transcription, it's wise to revoke these permissions for complete discontinuation.
Sub-heading: Revoking App Permissions
Within Otter.ai (if still accessible):
Go to Account Settings -> "Apps" or "Integrations" (the exact wording may vary).
Look for connected applications and disconnect them.
Within the Integrated Service Itself (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams):
Zoom: Log in to your Zoom account on the web. Go to "Settings" or "Integrations" and look for "Apps" or "App Marketplace." Find Otter.ai and uninstall or remove its permissions.
Google Meet/Calendar: Go to your Google account settings. Under "Security," look for "Third-party apps with account access." Find Otter.ai and remove its access.
Microsoft Teams: If you're an administrator, you might need to go to the Microsoft Teams admin center. For individual users, you might find Otter.ai listed under "Apps" or "Permissions" within your Teams settings.
Step 6: Unsubscribe from Otter.ai Emails (Tidy Up Your Inbox)
To ensure a clean break, you'll want to stop receiving marketing or notification emails from Otter.ai.
Check Your Email Inbox: Open an email you've received from Otter.ai.
Locate the "Unsubscribe" Link: Scroll to the bottom of the email. Most legitimate marketing emails have an "Unsubscribe" link.
Click and Confirm: Click the link and follow the prompts to unsubscribe from their mailing list. You may need to select specific types of emails you wish to stop receiving.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - How to Discontinue Otter.ai
Here are 10 common questions related to discontinuing Otter.ai, with quick answers:
How to cancel my Otter.ai Pro subscription?
Log in to Otter.ai on the web, go to Account Settings > Plan, and click "Cancel plan" at the bottom of the page.
Tip: Reread if it feels confusing.
How to delete my Otter.ai account completely?
After logging in on the web, go to Account Settings > General, scroll down, and select "Delete Account." Remember to back up your data first!
How to export my conversations before canceling Otter.ai?
Open each conversation on the Otter.ai web app, click on the export/download option (often represented by "..." or an arrow icon), and choose your preferred format (TXT, DOCX, PDF, etc.).
How to know if my Otter.ai subscription was purchased via Apple or Google Play?
Check your subscription history in your Apple App Store or Google Play Store account settings. If you see Otter.ai listed there, that's where you purchased it.
How to stop Otter.ai from automatically joining my meetings?
In your Otter.ai account settings, go to the "Meetings" tab and toggle off the "Auto-join all meetings" option in the OtterPilot section.
Tip: Absorb, don’t just glance.
How to access my conversations after canceling my paid Otter.ai plan?
Your conversations will generally remain in your account, but if you revert to the Basic (free) plan, you might only have access to the most recent 25 conversations, with others archived. Upgrading again will grant full access.
How to get a refund after canceling my Otter.ai subscription?
Otter.ai subscriptions are generally non-refundable for any unused period, as per their Terms of Service. However, if you have a specific billing issue, you can contact Otter.ai support.
How to disconnect Otter.ai from my Zoom or Google Meet account?
Beyond Otter.ai's internal settings, you should also revoke permissions directly from Zoom's App Marketplace or your Google account's "Third-party apps with account access" settings.
How to unsubscribe from Otter.ai marketing emails?
Open any marketing email from Otter.ai, scroll to the bottom, and click the "Unsubscribe" link to manage your email preferences.
How to find alternative transcription services after discontinuing Otter.ai?
Consider popular alternatives like Fireflies.ai, Fathom, Notta, Rev, or Trint, many of which offer free tiers or trials to help you evaluate their features.
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