Troubleshooting
Frequently asked questions about Action Phrase.
General
What does Action Phrase do?
Action Phrase uses your device's microphone and on-device speech-to-text recognition to convert your phrases into actions, perform actions when reading from a script, or allow multiple speakers to trigger actions based on who's talking.
How is Action Phrase different from Siri, Shortcuts, or a chat bot?
Action Phrase is not a general-purpose assistant — it’s a precision-triggered automation tool built for live, repeatable control. Siri and chat bots are designed for open-ended conversation and interpretation. Shortcuts is an automation builder. Action Phrase sits in between: it adds a dedicated speech layer on top of your automation, listening for the exact phrases you define and running the actions you configure — including Shortcuts, OSC, HTTP, and more.
What's the difference between Apple Speech and FluidAudio?
Apple Speech uses Apple’s built-in speech recognition and is simple to set up with no additional downloads required. FluidAudio uses locally downloaded models and offers more advanced control, including different diarization modes and model versions.
Speech Recognition
Does it run on-device or in the cloud?
Action Phrase runs entirely on your device. Speech recognition, phrase matching, and action execution all happen locally — nothing is sent to a third-party server for processing.
Some speech engines (such as [FluidAudio](https://github.com/FluidInference/FluidAudio)) require [downloading models](speech-engines/fluidaudio/downloading-models.md) during setup, which requires an internet connection once. After that, everything runs offline. Action Phrase does not use cloud-based speech recognition.
Purchasing and Core/Studio Features
What does Action Phrase Core unlock?
Action Phrase Core removes limits and unlocks advanced features designed for serious workflows. This includes unlimited phrases, Smart Run Mode, the ability to assign multiple actions to a single phrase, text transforms, and import/export functions. Core gives you the flexibility to build larger, more powerful automation setups without restrictions.
Is Core a subscription or a one-time purchase?
Action Phrase Core is a one-time purchase. You pay once to unlock Core features — there are no recurring subscription fees.
What does Action Phrase Studio unlock?
Action Phrase Studio includes all the features of Core, as well as enabling triggers and actions to run inside of Script and Rooms.
Is Studio a subscription or a one-time purchase?
Action Phrase Studio is a subscription service.
Is there a limit to how many phrases I can create?
The free version includes a limited number of phrases so you can test and explore the app. Action Phrase Pro removes that limit, allowing you to create as many phrases as your workflow requires.
Can I try the app before upgrading?
Yes. The free version lets you create phrases, assign actions, and test how everything works. When you’re ready to remove limits and unlock advanced features, you can upgrade to Core at any time.
You can create rooms and scripts, but you cannot run any triggers or actions on the Free or Core tier. Upgrade to Studio for this to work.
To try all the features of Core and Studio, you can sign up for the generous month long trial of Studio.
Privacy
Does Action Phrase collect personal data?
No. All data stays on your device or in your iCloud account. The developer has no access to it. Read the [Privacy Policy](privacy-policy.md) for additional details.