Simple voice recording
A family member can record a story by tapping one large red button, with no forms or typing required.
Retold
Retold is a family storytelling app that records voices and turns memories into drawn keepsakes. Available on iPhone; Android access is via a waitlist.
Overview
Retold is a family storytelling app that records a person’s voice and turns the story into a drawn, replayable keepsake. Its focus is not editing or publishing a polished podcast; it is capturing the way someone tells a story, including pauses, laughter, and the details that make that voice recognisable.
The workflow shown on the site is intentionally simple: hand the storyteller the phone, press one large red button, and record without forms or typing. Retold then listens, sketches the story into a little film, and stores it on a family shelf so relatives can revisit it later. The product is currently available on iPhone, with Android access handled through a waitlist for Google Play closed testing.
Core features
Drawn story output
Retold listens to the narration and sketches it into a small film, using wobbly stick figures and scene details such as the dog or the splash.
Audio-synced playback
The visual sequence is timed to the storyteller’s voice, so the drawing follows the pace and pauses of the recording.
Shared story shelf
Completed stories are saved to a family shelf where other people can press play later, including at bedtime.
Free starter stories
The app makes the first five stories free, with additional stories available through subscription.
Practical use cases
Preserve family stories
A parent, grandparent, or other relative records a memory once and saves it as a story that can be replayed by the family later.
Keep the original voice
Someone captures the way a relative tells an anecdote, including pauses and laughter, instead of reducing it to a written summary.
Build a family story shelf
Families use the shared shelf to collect multiple stories over time, building a small archive of recurring or much-loved memories.
Replay stories for family time
Children or grandchildren can listen back to a story at bedtime or when they are far away, using the recording as a familiar voice note.
Record without writing
A family member who does not want to type or fill out forms can still record a story quickly on a phone.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Captures a story in the storyteller’s own voice rather than only as text.
- Low-friction recording flow reduces setup for less technical family members.
- Turns oral stories into a visual format that can be replayed by relatives later.
- Keeps a shared family shelf for storing multiple stories in one place.
- Lets users try the product with five free stories before paying.
Cons
- The source does not show support for Android as a public launch; Android users are directed to a waitlist for closed testing.
- The website does not provide detail on export options, editing tools, or integrations with other services.
- Pricing and access are tied to app stores, which may limit direct purchase or billing control.
FAQ
What does Retold do?
Retold lets one family member record a story on iPhone using a single red button, then turns it into a drawn, timed visual story that the family can keep and replay.
Is Retold available on Android?
The source only confirms iPhone availability. For Android, Retold says you can leave your email to be added to a closed test when a slot opens.
How does pricing work?
Retold says your first five stories are free. After that, it offers paid subscriptions billed through the app stores: yearly for £39.99 or monthly for £5.99, both renewing until cancelled.
Do stories stay available after cancelling?
Retold says subscriptions are billed by the app stores and renew until cancelled. It also states that stories remain yours forever, even if you stop paying, for most families.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Family storytelling / audio storytelling
- Platform
- iPhone; Android waitlist for closed test
- Pricing shape
- First five stories free; yearly and monthly subscriptions available
- Billing
- Billed through app stores; renews until cancelled
- Primary use
- Record a family member’s story in their voice and keep it as a drawn keepsake
- Website
- stories-retold.com
Retold Alternatives
MeetStream
MeetStream is a meeting bot API for Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Webex. Record, stream, and analyze meetings with usage-based pricing and $5 free credit.
MidReal
MidReal is an AI story generator for creating novels and stories from a single sentence. Now sunset; see Macaron.
Notewarp
Notewarp is an AI note-taking tool that turns voice notes, uploads, or pasted text into cleaner notes, transcripts, summaries, and action items.
QuickQuill
QuickQuill is a local-first macOS dictation and transcription app to record meetings, summarize audio, and export notes without the cloud.
Kits AI
Kits AI is an AI music production platform for voice cloning, vocal generation, and vocal processing. Free plan, paid tiers, and Windows app.
蓝藻AI
蓝藻AI is an online AI voice generation and dubbing platform that turns text into speech and supports self-service voice cloning for short videos and audiobooks.