ℹ️ The Desktop App is the most stable way to use Heidi for telehealth, and it's the only option that supports headphones. This guide covers setup on Mac, Windows and mobile.
1. Heidi Desktop App
The Heidi Desktop App is the most stable telehealth option and works on both Windows and Mac.
It's built specifically for telehealth: it captures system-wide audio rather than just a browser tab, supports Bluetooth headphones, and reduces interruptions from other apps. It also handles data securely, with encrypted local storage, end-to-end encryption, and automatic deletion of transcriptions after upload.
You can read more about the Desktop App here.
How to get started:
Visit heidihealth.com/download.
Select the app version for Windows or Mac.
Install the app, following the on-screen instructions.
Sign in with your Heidi account.
Configure your audio so Heidi captures the full conversation.
Select Transcribe to begin your session.
When the session ends, Heidi creates a structured note based on the conversation.
Selecting an application as a speaker device on Windows
Windows users can select a specific application as the audio input source instead of a speaker device. This is useful if you notice the patient side of a telehealth session is not being picked up in the transcript.
Why this option exists: Some Windows devices interact poorly with Windows audio systems when using the speaker routing method, which can cause audio conflict issues, like missing the patient side of the conversation. Selecting the application directly passes audio from that app straight into Heidi, ensuring the full session is captured.
Who it's for: Windows Desktop App users only. This option is not available on macOS, iOS, or Android.
How to use it:
Open the Heidi Desktop App and start or prepare a new session.
Click the speaker device dropdown.
Instead of selecting a speaker, select the specific telehealth application you are using (e.g. Zoom, Teams).
Heidi will now capture audio directly from that application.
If you are a windows user, and have audio conflict issues, or are finding that the patient side of your tele-health sessions is missing from the transcript, switching the speaker input to your tele-health application is the recommended first step to resolve this.
2. Browser-Based Telehealth
ℹ️ For users who have access to Desktop App, we recommend it for Telehealth. In the circumstance that a browser based Heidi must be used, you can follow the steps to enable telehealth mode in browser.
a) Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge
If you're using Chrome or Edge, you can transcribe telehealth sessions directly in your browser: no split screen or extra setup needed, and Bluetooth headphones are supported.
How it works:
Open Heidi in Chrome or Edge.
Open your telehealth session in another browser tab.
In Heidi, select Telehealth from the dropdown.
4. When prompted, select your telehealth tab and make sure Share tab audio is enabled.
5. Heidi transcribes the session live and generates your note when it ends.
⚠️ Important: select Telehealth from the dropdown, not Transcribe or Dictate. Only Telehealth mode enables browser tab audio sharing.
Limitations:
Works only in Chrome and Edge; Safari and Firefox aren't supported.
Mobile and tablets aren't supported.
Audio capture is limited to tabs in the same browser, so other apps' audio won't be picked up.
Transcribing won't start unless Share tab audio is selected.
Browser-based echo suppression can unintentionally block parts of the patient's audio, reducing communication quality.
b) Using Safari, Firefox or other browser
If you don’t have access to Chrome or Edge, you can still use Heidi for telehealth, but you’ll need to either:
Setup split-windows: Keep Heidi open on one half of your screen and your telehealth platform on the other.
Or use the mobile app while your session runs on your computer.
Split-window setup on Mac
Open Heidi and your telehealth platform in two windows.
Hover over the green expand button, then select “Tile Window to Right/Left of Screen.”
Split-window setup on Windows
Open Heidi and your telehealth platform in two separate windows.
Drag one window to the left or right edge until it snaps into place.
Select the other window to fill the remaining space.
You can attempt to run your telehealth platform and Heidi in the same unsupported browser, though this isn't recommended due to potential audio conflicts. If you have no other option:
Turn off Echo Suppression: go to Settings > Defaults and turn off Echo Suppression. This is essential for proper audio capture when running telehealth and Heidi in the same browser, since some browsers' echo suppression can unintentionally block parts of the audio.
Check audio permissions: make sure both Heidi and your telehealth platform have microphone access, to avoid conflicts.
Close unnecessary tabs: free up browser resources by closing other tabs you're not using.
c) Use Heidi on mobile to transcribe while playing the session out loud on computer
This setup captures your conversation without needing split windows or the Desktop App.
Open your telehealth session on your computer and play the audio through your speakers.
Open Heidi on your mobile device (app or browser) and place it nearby so it can clearly capture the conversation.
Start your session as normal. Heidi transcribes on your phone and generates your note when the session ends.
⚠️ For the most reliable telehealth experience, use the Desktop App or Mobile App alongside your telehealth platform. Running both in the same browser increases the chance of audio failure.
Using headphones for telehealth - Desktop, Chrome and Edge
The Heidi Desktop App, Chrome and Edge all support headphones for telehealth sessions. Run your session as described above with your headphones plugged in, and Heidi picks up both the patient's and your voice.
If you're using Safari, Firefox or another unsupported browser, headphones aren't supported, so you'll need to run your session out loud instead.
If your telehealth session is running on a mobile phone with headphones plugged in, Heidi can't process the patient's audio. Switch to loudspeaker mode and open Heidi on a separate device (for example, your computer) to capture both sides of the conversation.
Before you start a telehealth session
Check these before your session:
Avoid using other apps that need microphone access during the session.
Use Do Not Disturb on mobile devices to prevent interruptions.
Make sure your device isn't in Low Power Mode, and avoid opening Heidi in multiple windows or browsers.
Audio and video settings: verify your devices are correctly configured.
Internet connection: make sure it's stable for video calls.
Platform-specific audio issues: check your telehealth platform's own troubleshooting documentation (for example, Zoom, Teams or Google Meet), since audio conflicts may come from settings outside Heidi.
Common issues during telehealth sessions
Transcription stops mid-session: Heidi was sent to the background, or another app took control of the microphone. Keep Heidi in the foreground and avoid running it on multiple devices simultaneously.
Only your voice is transcribed, not the patient's: the web app cannot capture system audio. Switch to the Desktop App, or use Chrome/Edge with Telehealth mode and Share tab audio enabled.
Audio not captured at all: check that microphone permissions are granted in your browser or system settings, and that no other app is using the microphone simultaneously.
Additional tips for best performance
Keep your browser and apps updated for the best compatibility.
Disable any browser extensions that might interfere with Heidi.
Free up your device’s memory by closing unused applications or tabs.
Run a test session before your telehealth appointment to confirm everything works.
Restart the Heidi app if you run into issues, and make sure it has microphone access.
Avoid switching between apps or tabs during a session, to keep audio capture uninterrupted.