Backtrack - Record the Past Ratings and Reviews

The concept is cool, but... [UPDATED]

[UPDATE] - It looks like my problem was that I installed Vanilla (a menubar managing utility) and for some reason it hid the Backtrack icon entirely. Fixed now, and it works great! If you are reading this review and happen to use Vanilla as well, consider this a heads up.

Original review:
This app doesn't work on my macbook pro, or I think I can't use it properly. It runs in the background, but the icon doesn't show up in my menu bar. I paid $1.99, so it's not a big hit to my wallet or anything, but I would like to use an app I paid for. Perhaps this is just an issue with macOS Big Sur? (I am currently running version 11.1). Hopefully this is just an issue with macOS Big Sur or a simple bug fix.

Developer Response ,

We definitely work with BigSur. You may just need a menubar icon management app like Bartender or to open another app with a shorter amount of menu items at the top so that our icon shows. Its probably just off screen which happens when macOS has too many menu bar items active.

The best way to replay anything happening on your computer!

If you've ever wished you could go back in time, Backtrack will help you do that. Did you type something on your computer and lost it? Now you can hop in your time machine and see what you wrote. Did you have a Zoom conversation with someone and missed something important they said? Going back in time to watch the conversation is a piece of cake with Backtrack. Get it. You'll thank me!

A dashcam for your Mac

I rely heavily on online call and meeting recordings, but can't and don't record them all. THus, the forehead-smack of hindsight when a really good conversation disappears forever. Though I still use other tools to transcribe, summarize, and organize meetings, Backtrack is a proven lifesaver, simply because it records everything, and you can go back in time if you missed something brilliant.

I remember now

I can get phone calls and office chats that sudenly turns into something I need to remember. So as soon as I relize that I can grab the recording to review and make sure I have things straight.

I also like that the recordings just automatically go away after X hours. So I do not have to manage deleting the content.

Easiest thing I ever installed

I'm a musician and produce, saw this and nearly fainted, priceless for me. Seemed to good to be true, clicked one box and it was working. I actually said "just like that?" aloud, which became the very first second of audio in my test recording, working from the first instant! Just blew my mind, many many thanks

Not Fully Sorted In My Head Yet

.. but getting there. Not the most intuitive UI - and having a cloud app and a local app that are identical in every way - so that you don’t know wich is which and why leaves lots of quesitons - but I see where they are going - they just need halp from someone who doesn't know the app to tell them where to improve its use.

Jordan is awesome

This app just works. Thank you Jordan for meeting with me and let be part of your growth. Backtrack has saved me countless time in my work. Your constant improvements and dedication to optimize the app is also appreciated. I just don't know how to thank you enough.

Huge fail

I've been using BackTrack for some time and today was the last straw. Had a critical meeting, went to BackTrack to save the last hour of conversation (I have it set to record the last 4 hours) - and what it saved was audio from yesterday. The title says that its from today and the correct time, but the audio that it saved was from some random time YESTERDAY. There is zero chance I clicked on the wrong file as I didn't save anything yesterday and specifically opened the file I just now saved. Terrible...

Developer Response ,

That totally sucks. Sorry that happened to you. This used to a bug very very early on but I haven't seen it a single time since we fixed it. Encourage you to keep using it and see if it happens again. I'll happily send reimburse you the purchase for your trouble though. Shoot us an email. hello@yac.com

Unclear Recent Update

I do not care for the new App icon - it's now enormous in the menu bar taking more space than any other icon, and now has a new persistent red dot accompanying the larger icon. Also, I'm unclear if this App is now a subscription? I see subscription options or IAP's for recordings - but I'm unclear if these will be required for current users?

Developer Response ,

Yo Morty - Jordan here, thanks for the feedback! We did update our branding, yep. The app is commonly referred to as a time machine, so the space branding and updated icon is something we went with.

As for clarity around subscription, the new version will only be a subscription if you want the optional cloud storage. Our messaging around this will be more clear going forward.

Happy to talk offline too and answer any questions! Appreciate you my man.

Say it isn't so...

This has always been a great, subtle, out-of-the-way-until-you-need-it app, but the latest version keeps popping up a modal dialog with garish colors ("new branding," sigh...) cheering on an upcoming subscription-based version. Yay?

Too bad the Mac App Store doesn't allow us to opt-out of individual App updates, as I'm afraid I now need to restore the old version and turn off auto-updates altogether.

Developer Response ,

Hey Vito - Jordan here, I'm one of the co-founders, and appreciate the feedback! Couple thoughts:

1. Yep new branding! Lots of users refer to the product as a time machine so we decided to lean all the way in on the branding.

2. Subscription - this is the big one we'll make a formal announcement about and update our messaging around it. HOWEVER, the monthly sub only comes into play if you want the optional cloud storage.

Happy to talk more and sorry if you feel we dropped the ball! Trying to deliver the best we can here. Appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment.