# FAQ

Short answers to what people ask most, and the words RADIQ uses.

## Performance and battery

### Will RADIQ slow down my Mac?

RADIQ reads the text inside apps directly instead of analysing screenshots, which keeps its work light. If you notice it, open **Settings → Screen** and lower **Capture frequency** or **Recording quality**.

### What does it do to my battery?

Under **Settings → Screen → Power & battery**, **Auto**, the default on most Macs, adapts as your battery runs down (lower-powered Macs start in **Battery Saver**). At 20% it stops audio and transcription and keeps screen capture, and at 10% or in macOS Low Power Mode it pauses capture. You can also choose **Performance** or **Battery Saver** yourself.

### How much disk space does it use?

It depends on how many screens you have, how much you talk, and your quality settings. **Settings → Disk & retention** shows the exact amount. To cap it, set a storage policy that drops video and audio after a number of days while keeping the text, which is what your AI searches. See [Delete your history](https://myradiq.com/docs/privacy#delete).

## Your data

### Does RADIQ upload my screen or meetings?

No. Your history is stored on your Mac. Data only leaves it when you use a feature that needs it, such as asking an AI a question or choosing cloud transcription. [What leaves your Mac](https://myradiq.com/docs/privacy#leaves) lists every case.

### Is my data used to train AI models?

RADIQ doesn't upload your history, so it isn't training data. When your AI app (Claude, ChatGPT/Codex and so on) asks RADIQ for something, the answer goes to that AI provider and their data policy applies, the same as anything else you type into it.

### Does it record my passwords?

Keystroke capture is off by default, and the **Password managers** category in **Settings → Privacy → Content filters** keeps vaults out entirely. **PII Removal**, which is on by default, also strips keys and other secrets from what RADIQ stores.

### Can I use it for work?

Yes. Exclude the apps, sites or windows you shouldn't record, and check your company's policy on screen and audio capture and on AI tools. Tell people when you record a meeting.

## Using RADIQ

### Do I need a Claude or ChatGPT subscription?

No. RADIQ's own Chat works on RADIQ Cloud. If you already pay for Claude or ChatGPT, connect RADIQ to that app instead, or sign in with ChatGPT inside RADIQ (**Settings → Models & keys**), and use the plan you already have.

### Does it work offline?

Recording and search work offline. Asking an AI needs that AI to be reachable, unless you use a local model through Ollama. For offline meeting transcripts, pick an offline engine in **Settings → Audio & meetings → Transcription engine**.

### Why doesn't my AI know about something from before I installed RADIQ?

RADIQ can only answer from what it recorded, so its memory starts when you install it.

### Is there a Windows version?

Not yet. RADIQ runs on Macs with Apple silicon today, and Windows is next.

### Where do I see my plan and usage?

**Settings → Account** shows your plan. **Settings → AI credits** shows how much RADIQ Cloud you've used.

## Glossary

| Term | Meaning |
| --- | --- |
| MCP | Model Context Protocol, the open standard that lets AI apps use tools. RADIQ connects to your AI app through it. |
| Connector / MCP server | The `radiq` entry in your AI app's settings. It gives the AI RADIQ's tools. |
| Skill | A short instruction file an AI reads when it's relevant. The [RADIQ skill](https://myradiq.com/docs/skill) teaches it to use RADIQ well. |
| Pipe | RADIQ's name for an [automation](https://myradiq.com/docs/automations): an instruction it runs on a schedule or when something happens. |
| AI preset | A saved choice of AI model and provider. Chat and each automation use one. |
| Memory | A fact you asked RADIQ to remember. Your AI can save and recall them. |
| RADIQ key | The local key that lets an app read your RADIQ history. It's in **Settings → Privacy**. Keep it private. |

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Source: https://myradiq.com/docs/faq · Last updated 2026-10-25
