# OLYMPUS Dictation for iPhone — user reviews > 66 indexed App Store user reviews of OLYMPUS Dictation for iPhone by OM Digital Solutions Corporation, rated 2.08/5 from 39 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/olympus-dictation-for-iphone/id695465151/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/olympus-dictation-for-iphone/id695465151.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 8 · 4★ 2 · 3★ 1 · 2★ 2 · 1★ 26 ## Newest reviews (16 of 66) ### 2/5 — Secure but shoddy *2023-04-26, version 2.2.1* Are you paying attention to the feedback? This software needs improving, on review of a file I cannot easily read the information in the file name - it takes more names than it will re show. Ok, it seems secure. So that’s a major selling point, but it’s a quite shoddy piece of software, either from a company that’s not considering how it’s used or ignoring how it’s used. File naming should accept cut and paste. If I dictate several files, with a name of each case/ dictation it’s impossible as structured to read what I’ve written. You might need a better, searchable way of naming files or putting info. The search box is dark, text is dark, it’s unreadable. There’s a lag on starting dictation. It would be useful to have a way to mark a recording, between topics/ cases/ pieces - for me it’s individuals details on dictation. I want to send one file for all the people on one day. It’s not freeware, you update it very infrequently, work for your money! ### 2/5 — Licensing confusing *2020-01-05, version 2.0.0* Was a great app until the trial period is over and then they try to charge you... why should we pay a fee if our typist is only listening to an audio file? I’m not actually using you to transcribe my documents. Will be deleting the app. Hope you go back to the original ### 1/5 — Subscription business model stinks *2019-12-19* Why pay a monthly fee to route dictation through your server? Email worked just fine. Charge a one time fair price for the app and I’m good. Olympos now charging significant recurring fees for a minimal product. ### 3/5 — Stop changing things! *2019-12-05, version 2.0.0* This was a great free app! Unfortunately, they changed it, so it records in a format my typist has to pay for yet more software to listen to. Then they charge you a license - sorry, I’m stopping using it! ### 1/5 — Now I can’t get my dictations to go through the new “server.” *2019-11-30* Before it was the microphone. Now I can’t get the dictated files to deliver to my secretary through the “server” when it previously worked like a snap through email. We HAVE and already pay for the Olympus dictation suite at my job, but I can’t even get the dictation there. It worked perfectly with email. I am seriously angry because I don’t want to lose the hour’s worth of work. ### 1/5 — I’ve had soo much problems with their new updates and lost soo many files *2019-11-09, version 2.0.0* The new ‘server’ update takes soo long to send / receive and once received we got empy files. Should of just kept the email version ### 1/5 — Waste of time *2019-11-08* I really enjoyed using this app and would have paid for it to remain the same but now with this utterly wasteful update I can’t change my recording format or dictation form. Bring back the old app as this is a complete waste!!!! ### 1/5 — New update stink *2019-11-07* The new update will not let me register on my phone. Olympus has NO customer support. I sent an email yesterday and still not reply. Moving on to Philips program. Thanks Olympus, nice knowing you. ### 1/5 — New version greedy cash grab *2019-11-06* This app was always convenient and easy to use. I transcribe and email to my secretary, for whom I paid for expensive Olympus transcription software to transcribe. Now, with no notice, Olympus changed their business model to make the process less efficient, by taking my dictation, uploading to their server, then charging me an additional fee to send the dictation to my secretary. Plus, although a 60 day trial period is given - the emails that showed up to my secretary are nothing but static. Pathetic and definitely not recommended. Charge a one-time fee for the app or something, not the privilege of being able to email a file from my phone to my secretary. ### 1/5 — Ruined *2019-11-06, version 2.0.0* This was great until they decided to change it. If it’s not broken don’t fix it You can only send DS2 files which is no good for me and now you have to pay for the app to send dictations via email. (Looking for alternative) Thanks ! ### 1/5 — Poor *2019-11-05, version 2.0.0* I’ve used this app for years and now it’s a mess. Without warning they changed and I’m at a standstill. Must of got greedy ### 1/5 — Can’t register for account to start 60 day trial so now useless *2019-11-04, version 2.0.0* Unable to contact support so totally useless with sudden introduction of having to open an account. ### 1/5 — Flash air doesn’t work with new iOS *2019-10-15* I used to use this app only to download from my DS-7000 and upload dictation to our transcription service. The app isn’t been updated for the new iOS, so it no longer identifies my Flashair card. The app is now completely useless to me. This needs to be fixed, quickly. ### 2/5 — Good but far from perfect *2019-08-09, version 1.3.1* Would like if you could import a DSS/DS2 file from another device to work on or play! Seems the app is very limited especially for a company like Olympus. ### 4/5 — Great product lacking only one feature *2018-12-29, version 1.3.0* This app is fantastic overall. It is simple and effective. However, I use outlook as my email client on my iPhone, and I would like to email my dictations via outlook. However, unlike an application by a rival company, this application does not allow it. One can only send one’s dictations via Apple Mail. If this is fixed, in my opinion, this product would be the best smart phone dictation application on the market. ### 1/5 — Microphone access doesn’t work *2018-12-10, version 1.2.1* As other reviewers have pointed out, the app shows an error because it doesn’t have microphone access but doesn’t actually register a request for access so there’s no way to enable it. I had to restore my phone and the app (which was originally installed on iOS 11) was running fine. Seems to be an issue with iOS 12. Obviously a dictation app that won’t record is completely useless. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — App keeps crashing, and I paid $100 *2024-02-27* The concept of this is great - dictate on the go and send to your transcriptions. I even spent $110 for an annual subscription to use the app. Unfortunately, the app crashes every time I try to open it. Can someone please fix this? ### 1/5 — App crashes *2022-08-22* Ever since I updated my iPhone to 15.6.1 it will not open or load. Fix it! ### 1/5 — Olympus Dictation for IPhone *2021-12-14, version 2.1.1* Works well with IPhone 12 Pro until it doesn’t . Company and local IT Dept have no solutions! ### 1/5 — Wow *2021-04-13* I was looking into this for my boss because he needs a new Dictaphone I thought this might be a better way as he already has an iPhone. However after seeing the reviews I guess will go a different route. Olympus you really need to think about changing your policy on this. ### 1/5 — Use to be the best *2021-02-21* I’d rather pay for this app then the data migration system they implemented. This use to be the best recorder app now it’s trash because they make you migrate your recording to there server and charge several hundred dollars to maintain account. DO NOT USE they ruined a good app for no reason other than to line their pocket books. ### 1/5 — App is good but Olympus made bad business decision *2020-12-11* As you can tell by reviews - the app is not problematic, but Olympus apparently still thinks it is a good business idea to charge people $300-$500 for a dictation system and then ask users to pay more money to enjoy the convenience of sending a dictation file from this app to their own assistant. For anyone purchasing an Olympus dictation recorder / system - this app should be free to use. Hopefully, someone at Olympus will realize that a 2 star rating means that most people agree that Olympus dropped the ball on this and said “screw you” to its customers. I’ll stick to the physical recorder for now that doesn’t cost me a anything to send a recording to my own assistant. Philips’ app is doing far better than Olympus In ratings because Philips realizes that customer feedback is important. Olympus sits back and does nothing while it continues to rip off its consumers with this app where you, the user, are actually charged by Olympus to send a recording to your own assistant. Wake up, Olympus. ### 1/5 — Medical practitioner *2020-06-09, version 2.0.0* This transcription system was working well for me until recently. Olympus seem to have had major issues with their server and this has meant dictations have not been able to be sent and/or received from the app. After a number of days of the app not working it was apparently “fixed” and has stopped working again. There has to be a major question over the reliability of this system. The convenience of your using your phone for dictation is compromised by the potential for poor reliability of their server. Think twice. Update: their “fix” lasted all of a few days and the app has stopped working again. Look for an alternative solution for a dictation app. ### 1/5 — Does not work since the update *2020-06-04, version 2.0.0* Was a very good app until they updated it. Now it does not work. Why can’t a company the size of Olympus Beta test the update before sending it out. Massively inconvenient especially when working from home. I will be asking for my licence fee to be returned and will find another app. It is no longer possible to upload to the server so it is useless. Not worked for two weeks. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work *2020-04-03, version 2.0.0* I used the free version and it was great. Olympus then moved to a licensed fee-based platform where the emails then went through their servers, instead of mine. That’s when it stopped working. The files arrived at my office unreadable. I contacted Olympus who referred me to a local sales agent, who where honest enough to say they had no resources from Olympus to make it work. I still use Olympus dictation hardware in the office, but they really pooched this rollout. I am shopping for a replacement and hope to find a new company that can service this sector effectively. ### 1/5 — The app was perfect until they changed what was already working.. *2020-01-03, version 2.0.0* App was great until they made and update where you have to pay a subscription. You can no longer choose where you email or save the recordings to it’s just set to default and now you’ll have to buy a licence after 60 days. I’d suggest downloading a different dictation app unless they change. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Awesome app *2020-09-27, version 2.0.1* Great app for someone who dictates on the go. ### 5/5 — Simply amazing *2020-05-14, version 2.0.0* I love it it’s simple and with ezsmart transcription solutions it’s seamless for my transcription needs ### 5/5 — Highly secured dictations *2019-12-05* Encryption feature in this app provides highly secured dictations ### 5/5 — Grateful user *2018-02-10, version 1.2.1* Brilliant app ### 5/5 — Excellent, works for me *2017-04-11* Very good alternative to the recording device, easier to move files. Would be nice if not sent files (first attempt) did not go to the Sent folder, otherwise the user has to make a copy to resend. It takes space and confuses file management. ### 5/5 — Mobile Dictation That Links With ODMS *2016-07-14, version 1.2.0* This app does work - it requires the Olympus ODDS subscription service to enable the audio formats dss and ds2 and to encrypt you audio, essential for confidential dictation sent over the internet. This isn't just another voice recorder or dictaphone app. Sure you can record your voice and email it in generic m4a format plus insert or overwrite audio. But this app comes into its own when used with an ODDS (Olympus Dictation Delivery Service) subscription. ODDS opens up the "server" configuration on the app and allows you to record .ds2 or .dss audio, encrypted on the iPhone itself. You can then email or transfer the files via the ODDS cloud server to your ODMS transcription module used by your transcription typists. The audio will also include meta data like your Author ID and Worktype. Also, if you have a new DS-7000 Air or DS-3500 Air digital dictaphone (or a standard DS-7000/DS-3500 with firmware v1.20 and a FlashAir card) you can wirelessly transfer audio from your pro recorder to your iPhone and send them via the app. So there is a bit more to this app than you may realise. Search for "Dictate ODDS Australia" for more info on that feature. ### 5/5 — Olympus Dictation for Iphone *2015-11-06, version 1.2.0* I have tried them all…this one is the absolute most reliable, easy to use, hours of dictation in a flawless format, condensed, email to many with a single click. Great for brainstorming. Simple to record and email voice to transcribers around the world. Worth more than the computer in having the ability to delegate to many. I have used for over 5 years and tried others without the same success. Not sure why it is free. The iPhone mic works great but a higher quality mic to iPhone increases quality by 200% but not necessary. You will be glad you downloaded this valuable tool. Steve Thomas Landnet Ventures Scottsdale Az ### 5/5 — Use everyday *2014-11-19, version 1.1.1* Takes place of my hand held uher. Very easy to use and send recordings. I highly recommend. ### 5/5 — Great app! *2014-10-10, version 1.1.1* Easy to use and great controls! Would highly recommend ### 4/5 — One disappointment *2019-06-17, version 1.3.1* This a brilliantly straightforward dictation app and so much easier than all the others I looked at. My only (big) grievance is that it only uses the AAC format which isn’t compatible with the formats at work. Were it not for this it would be 5 stars. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*