Local OCR for macOS
People searching for local OCR usually want to know: where screenshots go, whether an account is required, and what happens when cloud features are enabled.
ClariRec is local-first, not local-only. By default, OCR stays on-device. BYOK OCR and translation only use the network when you actively choose them.
Three processing paths
| Mode | Does selected content leave your device? | Trigger | Destination |
|---|---|---|---|
| System OCR | No | Default screenshot OCR, clipboard OCR, and image-file OCR | No external destination |
| BYOK OCR | Yes | Only when you choose a configured third-party OCR provider | The provider or compatible endpoint you configure |
| Translation | Only when you trigger it | Translate button, Auto Translate, shortcuts, or supported automation flows | Your configured provider, or Apple system services when using supported system translation |
What stays local by default
Default OCR uses macOS Vision
Screenshot, clipboard, and image-file OCR use Apple's on-device framework unless you explicitly choose a different OCR provider.
Results live in memory by default
Current App Store releases do not store OCR history on disk. Results stay in memory until you close the result window.
Preferences and keys stay on your Mac
App settings are stored locally, and optional BYOK credentials are kept in macOS Keychain.
The app itself has no analytics SDKs
ClariRec does not include analytics or telemetry SDKs in the macOS app. Local diagnostics are for troubleshooting only.
Permissions and network triggers
Screen Recording
Required only for screenshot OCR, and only for the region you explicitly capture.
File access is user-initiated
Image-file OCR and export use files or save locations you explicitly choose or drag in.
Notifications are optional
Used for Silent mode and related notification flows, not required to launch or use the app.
No Accessibility requirement
The current release does not require Accessibility, Camera, Microphone, or Apple Events permissions.
Network use is explicit
Network access is only tied to BYOK OCR or cloud translation that you choose to use.
How to verify the boundary yourself
- Use Little Snitch, Proxyman, Wireshark, or macOS network monitoring tools if you want to observe the app’s outbound connections directly
- Keep System OCR as the selected OCR path if you want the simplest fully local OCR workflow
- Read the Privacy Policy for the full legal wording behind the product-facing summary on this page
Related workflows
Screenshot OCR for Mac
See the main capture workflow for screenshots, chat images, slides, and scanned visuals.
Translate Screenshot Text on Mac
OCR locally first, then translate only when you want to continue the workflow.
ClariRec vs Apple Live Text
Compare built-in text selection with a dedicated OCR workflow for repeated tasks.
Privacy Policy
Read the formal legal policy for data handling, permissions, retention, and BYOK provider behavior.
