Knowledge Base

Always Keep Me is a service that transforms voice recordings into beautiful, printable keepsakes. We convert your audio file into a high-quality image featuring a visual waveform of the voice and a scannable QR code. When someone scans the QR code with their phone, they can hear the original recording.

This creates a unique blend of physical and digital memory preservation—you get a frameable image you can display, while the actual voice remains accessible through modern technology.

The process is simple and takes just a few minutes:

1. Upload Your Audio: Choose any voice recording from your device. This could be a voice message, a recording you made, or any audio file containing a voice you want to preserve.

2. Add Custom Text: Write a personal message, name, date, or any text you'd like to appear on the image (up to 150 characters). This could be something like "Mom's voice, 2024" or "Happy Birthday from Grandma."

3. Customize the Design: Choose from 25 different fonts, pick your preferred colors for the text, waveform, and QR code, select your paper size, and add optional date.

4. Preview for Free: Generate unlimited free previews to see how your design will look before purchasing.

5. Pay & Download: Once you're happy with the preview, pay $2 to unlock the full-quality version with the real waveform and working QR code.

6. Print & Frame: Download your high-resolution image and print it at home or at any photo printing service. Frame it and display it anywhere—scan the QR code anytime to hear the voice.

Always Keep Me is perfect for anyone who wants to preserve voices and create meaningful keepsakes:

Parents and Families: Capture your children's first words, baby babbles, or milestone moments. Create keepsakes as they grow up that preserve how they sounded at different ages.

Those Remembering Loved Ones: Honor the memory of someone who has passed by preserving their voice—whether it's a voicemail they left, a recording from a special occasion, or just them saying "I love you."

Couples: Preserve wedding vows, anniversary messages, or love letters spoken in your own voices. Create romantic keepsakes that celebrate your relationship.

Gift Givers: Create unique, heartfelt gifts for birthdays, graduations, retirements, or any special occasion. A voice message from a grandparent, a congratulatory message, or birthday wishes become treasured keepsakes.

Our platform supports the most common audio file formats to ensure compatibility with recordings from virtually any device. You can upload files in MP3, WAV, MP4, M4A, and OGG formats. These formats cover recordings made on smartphones, voice recorders, computers, and most other digital audio devices.

If your audio file is in a different format, you can easily convert it to one of these supported formats using free online conversion tools or audio editing software before uploading.

The maximum file size for audio uploads is 10MB which is more than enough for most voice messages, speeches, songs, or personal recordings.

If your file is larger than 10MB, you can reduce its size by compressing the audio, converting it to a more efficient format like MP3, or trimming any unnecessary silence at the beginning or end of the recording.

Currently, direct recording is not available on our website. However, you can easily record audio using your device's built-in voice recording app:

On iPhone: Use the Voice Memos app

On Android: Use the Voice Recorder or Sound Recorder app

On Computer: Use the built-in Sound Recorder (Windows) or Voice Memos (Mac) app

After recording, simply save the file and upload it to our service. This approach actually gives you more control over the recording quality and the ability to review and re-record if needed before uploading.

To ensure the best audio quality for your memory, follow these professional recording tips:

Choose a Quiet Environment: Record in a quiet space free from background noise, traffic sounds, or other people talking. Background noise can distract from the voice you're trying to preserve and may affect the clarity of the waveform visualization.

Maintain Proper Distance: Hold the microphone or recording device about 6-8 inches from the speaker's mouth. Too close can cause distortion and popping sounds; too far can make the voice sound distant or unclear.

Check Volume Levels: Speak in a clear, natural voice at a comfortable volume. If recording someone else, do a quick test recording first to ensure the volume isn't too quiet or so loud that it distorts.

Test Playback Before Uploading: After recording, play it back to make sure the audio sounds clear and the voice is easily understandable. This is your chance to re-record if something doesn't sound right.

Always Keep Me costs $2 USD per voice memory. This is a one-time payment with no recurring fees, subscriptions, or hidden costs.

Your payment includes everything you need: audio file processing and storage, custom waveform generation, personalized design with your choice of fonts and colors, QR code generation and hosting, high-resolution image download (300 DPI, print-ready), and lifetime access to retrieve your memory.

There are no additional fees for customization, no premium tiers, and no upsells—just a simple, transparent price for a complete service.

We use Paystack, a secure and trusted payment processor, to handle all transactions. Through Paystack, we accept the following payment methods:

Credit and Debit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, and other major card networks

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT): Direct bank transfers for South African customers

Mobile Money and Regional Payment Methods: Various options depending on your location

All payment processing happens on Paystack's secure servers, and we never see or store your full payment details.

Yes. We take payment security very seriously and use industry-standard protection measures.

All payment processing is handled by Paystack, which is PCI DSS compliant—the highest security standard in the payment card industry. Your card details are encrypted during transmission and stored securely by Paystack, not by us. We never have access to your full credit card number or sensitive payment information.

Additionally, Paystack uses advanced fraud detection systems to protect against unauthorized transactions and employs 3D Secure authentication for eligible cards, adding an extra layer of security.

Yes. After your payment is successfully processed, you'll receive a unique payment reference code. This reference is important—it serves as proof of purchase and is one of the credentials you'll need if you ever want to retrieve your voice memory later.

The payment reference is displayed on your screen immediately after payment and is also sent to the email address you provided during checkout. We strongly recommend saving this reference in a secure location, such as your email archives, password manager, or a note on your device.

Along with your email address, this reference allows you to access and re-download your memory at any time through our retrieval page.

If you lose your downloaded image or need to access it again, you can retrieve it at any time using our dedicated retrieval page at alwayskeep.me/retrieve.

To retrieve your memory, you'll need two pieces of information: the email address you used when creating the memory, and your payment reference number (provided after purchase). Enter both credentials on the retrieval page, and you'll be able to download your image again.

This system ensures that only you can access your private memories while giving you the flexibility to re-download your images whenever needed—whether you accidentally deleted the file, want to print additional copies, or need to access it from a different device.

While we aim to store your audio files and images long-term, we cannot guarantee permanent storage indefinitely. Technical issues, changes in our infrastructure, or business circumstances may occasionally result in data loss.

For this reason, we strongly recommend that you maintain your own backup copies of your voice memories. As soon as you download your image, save it in multiple secure locations:

Local Storage: Keep a copy on your computer or phone

Cloud Backup: Upload to services like Google Drive, iCloud, or Dropbox

External Drive: Save a copy on a USB drive or external hard drive

Physical Copies: Print the image and store it safely

By maintaining your own backups, you ensure that your precious memories remain safe regardless of what happens to our servers.

Access to your voice memory works on two different levels, and it's important to understand both:

Accessing Through Our Website: To download your image or retrieve your files through alwayskeep.me/retrieve, you need both your email address and payment reference. This ensures that only you (or someone you share these credentials with) can access your stored data through our platform.

Accessing Through the QR Code: Once you download and print your image, anyone who has physical access to the printed image can scan the QR code to hear the audio. The QR code links to a public URL that plays your audio file—no password or authentication required.

Think of it like a physical photo: the printed image with its QR code is accessible to anyone who can see it, just as anyone who picks up a printed photograph can view it. If you want to keep the audio private, be thoughtful about where you display or share the printed image.

Always Keep Me offers extensive customization options to make your voice memory truly personal and unique. Here's everything you can adjust:

Custom Text (up to 150 characters): Add any message, name, date, or caption you want to appear on the image. Examples: "Mom's voice, 2024," "Happy Birthday from Grandpa," or "Our wedding vows."

Optional Date Display: Add a specific date that will appear next to the QR code. This could be a birth date, anniversary, or the date of the recording.

Font Selection (25 options): Choose from a diverse collection of fonts including classic serif fonts (Times New Roman, Georgia, Garamond), modern sans-serif fonts (Arial, Helvetica, Verdana), elegant script fonts (Brush Script), distinctive display fonts (Impact, Copperplate), and specialty fonts (Comic Sans MS, American Typewriter).

Text Color: Select any color for your custom text to match your decor or create the mood you want.

Waveform Color: Choose the color of the voice waveform visualization.

QR Code Color: Customize the QR code color (note: darker colors scan more reliably than very light ones).

Paper Size Options: Select from multiple standard sizes for different uses and display options.

Text Styling: Make your text bold, italic, or both for additional emphasis and style.

We offer a complete range of international ISO and US standard paper sizes to suit everything from small desk prints to large-format wall displays:

A0 (841 × 1189 mm / 33.1 × 46.8 inches) – Poster Size: Massive poster format ideal for dramatic wall displays and professional gallery presentations. Requires a large-format printer or professional printing service.

A1 (594 × 841 mm / 23.4 × 33.1 inches) – Large Print: A bold, large-format display piece perfect for prominent wall mounting. Professional printing is recommended.

A2 (420 × 594 mm / 16.5 × 23.4 inches): Medium-large format that works beautifully for featured displays, offering an excellent balance between impact and practicality.

A3 (297 × 420 mm / 11.7 × 16.5 inches): A popular medium format that fits many home and office printers. Substantial in size without being overwhelming.

A4 (210 × 297 mm / 8.3 × 11.7 inches): The most common paper size worldwide. Fully compatible with standard home printers and widely available frames.

A5 (148 × 210 mm / 5.8 × 8.3 inches): Half the size of A4, compact and elegant. Ideal for desk displays, small wall spaces, or gallery wall arrangements.

Letter (8.5 × 11 inches / 216 × 279 mm): Standard US paper size, compatible with all US home printers and the most common format in North America.

Legal (8.5 × 14 inches / 216 × 356 mm): Taller than Letter size, creating an elongated and elegant look. Commonly used for US legal documents.

Tabloid / Ledger (11 × 17 inches / 279 × 432 mm): Large US format ideal for impactful displays. Requires a larger-format printer.

All images are generated at 300 DPI (dots per inch), ensuring professional print quality with sharp, clear detail whether printed at home or through a professional printing service.

Yes! We offer completely free unlimited preview generation so you can perfect your design before making any payment.

The preview feature allows you to upload your audio, add your custom text, select fonts and colors, choose your paper size, and generate a preview image to see exactly how your final product will look. You can generate as many previews as you want, experimenting with different fonts, colors, and text until you're completely satisfied with the design.

Preview images show your design with sample waveform data (not your actual audio waveform) and contain watermarking to indicate they're previews. Once you're happy with your design and pay the $2 fee, the final version will include your real audio waveform visualization and a fully functional QR code without any watermarks.

This risk-free preview system ensures you'll love your final product before spending any money.

You have several excellent options for printing your voice memory, depending on your preferences for quality, convenience, and cost:

Home Printer: If you have a quality color printer at home, you can print your image immediately. Use the highest quality print settings available and consider using premium photo paper for the best results. This is the most convenient option and gives you immediate gratification.

Local Print Shop: Visit any local print shop, office supply store (like Staples, Office Depot), or pharmacy with photo printing services (like CVS, Walgreens). Most offer same-day or while-you-wait printing. Simply bring your image file on a USB drive or email it to their printing service. This option typically provides professional quality at reasonable prices.

Online Printing Services: Services like Snapfish, Shutterfly, Mpix, or Nations Photo Lab offer high-quality prints delivered to your door. These services often have frequent sales and discounts, and they use professional-grade equipment that can produce exceptional results. This is ideal if you want the highest quality prints or need multiple copies.

Yes! The QR code is designed to remain fully scannable after printing, as long as you follow some basic guidelines for quality printing:

Print at Actual Size: Don't significantly reduce the size of the image when printing, as very small QR codes become harder to scan. The sizes we provide are optimized for reliable scanning.

Use Quality Paper: Print on good-quality paper with a smooth surface. Heavily textured papers or very thin papers that allow ink to bleed can reduce scannability.

Avoid Glare: When framing, consider using non-reflective glass or acrylic to prevent glare that might interfere with scanning. Matte finishes are generally easier to scan than high-gloss finishes under bright lights.

Keep QR Area Clean: When handling or framing, avoid fingerprints, creases, or damage to the QR code area. Any obstruction or damage can prevent successful scanning.

Maintain Contrast: Darker QR code colors (like black, dark blue, dark brown) scan more reliably than very light colors. The default black QR code works best.

If you follow these guidelines, your QR code should scan reliably for years to come, even after repeated use.

Framing your voice memory turns it into a beautiful display piece. Here's what you need to know:

Frame Compatibility: Our images are designed with extra white space around the edges to accommodate standard picture frames without cutting off any important elements. The core design (text, waveform, QR code) is safely positioned within the printable area, ensuring it will look great in any standard frame for the size you selected.

Frame Fit & Presentation: Each print is created to fit seamlessly into commonly available frames, ensuring a clean, balanced, and professional look once displayed. The proportions are carefully chosen so the image sits naturally within the frame, either filling it neatly or pairing beautifully with a mat for a more refined presentation.

Matting Options: For a more professional, gallery-like presentation, consider adding a mat (also called a mount) inside the frame. A mat creates a border between the frame and your image, adding visual sophistication and making your memory look even more special. Many frame shops offer custom matting services, or you can purchase pre-cut mats in standard sizes.

Placement Considerations: Choose a frame and location where the QR code will be accessible for scanning. Avoid placing it too high on a wall or in a location where it would be difficult to hold a phone up to the QR code. Eye-level placement on a wall, desk, or shelf works best.

If you're having trouble scanning the QR code, try these troubleshooting steps in order:

1. Improve Lighting: Make sure the QR code is well-lit but without harsh glare. Natural daylight or soft indoor lighting works best. Avoid scanning in very dim conditions or under bright, direct light that creates reflections.

2. Hold Steady: Keep your phone steady about 6-8 inches from the QR code. Many scanning apps need a moment to focus—don't move your phone around while scanning. Hold still for 2-3 seconds to give the camera time to process the code.

3. Try a Different Scanner App: If your phone's built-in camera app won't scan it, download a dedicated QR code scanner app from your app store. Some third-party apps are more sensitive and can read codes that the default camera misses. Popular options include QR Code Reader, QR Scanner, or Barcode Scanner.

4. Clean Your Camera Lens: Fingerprints, dust, or smudges on your phone's camera lens can prevent successful scanning. Gently clean your camera lens with a soft cloth before trying again.

5. Check the Angle: Sometimes tilting your phone slightly can help reduce glare from glass or glossy surfaces. Try scanning from different angles if you're having trouble.

6. Ensure Full Code Visibility: Make sure the entire QR code is visible in your camera frame—don't cut off any corners or edges. The camera needs to see the complete square, including the corner markers.

7. Verify Print Quality: If the printed code is blurry, smudged, or damaged, it may not scan. Try printing a fresh copy or check if you need to clean your printer.

Upload failures can happen for several reasons. Here are the most common causes and their solutions:

File Too Large: Your audio file exceeds our 10MB limit. Solution: Compress your audio file using a tool like Audacity (free), convert it to MP3 format (which is typically smaller), or trim any silence from the beginning or end of the recording.

Unsupported Format: Your file isn't in one of our supported formats (MP3, WAV, M4A, OGG). Solution: Convert your audio to MP3 using a free online converter like CloudConvert, OnlineConvert, or audio software like Audacity.

Poor Internet Connection: Your connection dropped during upload. Solution: Move closer to your WiFi router, switch to a more stable network, or try uploading from a location with better internet connectivity. If you're on cellular data, ensure you have a strong signal.

Browser Issues: Your browser cached data may be causing problems. Solution: Refresh the page (F5 or Cmd+R), clear your browser cache, try a different browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge), or use an incognito/private browsing window.

Corrupted File: The audio file itself may be damaged. Solution: Try re-exporting the audio from your recording device or editing software, test if the file plays correctly on your computer before uploading, or try recording a new version if possible.

If the QR code scans successfully but the audio doesn't play, try these solutions:

Check Internet Connection: The audio streams from our servers, so you need an active internet connection. Ensure your phone has WiFi or cellular data connectivity.

Disable Silent/Do Not Disturb Mode: Make sure your phone isn't in silent mode or Do Not Disturb mode, which can prevent audio playback.

Allow Autoplay: Some phones block autoplay for audio files. If the page loads but nothing plays, look for a play button on the screen and tap it manually to start playback.

Check Volume Settings: Verify that your phone's volume is turned up. Check both the media volume and ringer volume, as some phones have separate controls.

File May Be Corrupted: In rare cases, the uploaded audio file might have been corrupted during processing. Try accessing your memory through the retrieval page to see if the issue persists.

Server Issues: Occasionally our servers may experience temporary issues. Wait a few minutes and try again, or contact support if the problem continues.

If your payment was successful but you didn't receive your image download, try these steps:

1. Check Your Downloads Folder: The image may have downloaded automatically to your device's Downloads folder. Check there first—the filename starts with "always-keep-me-".

2. Disable Pop-up Blockers: Your browser's pop-up blocker may have prevented the download window from opening. Look for a notification in your browser's address bar asking if you want to allow downloads from our site, then try the download button again.

3. Use the Retrieval Page: Visit alwayskeep.me/retrieve and enter your email address and payment reference to access your completed memory and download it from there.

4. Contact Support: If none of the above solutions work, email support@alwayskeep.me with your payment reference and email address. We'll verify your payment and help you access your download. Our team typically responds within 24-48 hours.

Privacy with Always Keep Me operates on two levels, and it's important to understand how each works:

Server-Level Privacy: Your audio files and generated images are stored securely on our servers. To access them through our website (for re-downloading or retrieval), you need both your email address and your unique payment reference. Without these credentials, no one can access your files through our system. We do not share, sell, or publicly list your audio files.

QR Code Privacy: The QR code on your printed image links to a public URL that plays your audio file. Anyone who has access to the physical printed image can scan the QR code and hear the audio—no password or authentication required. This is by design, as the printed image is meant to be a shareable keepsake.

Think of it like a physical photograph: once printed, it's accessible to anyone who can see it. If you want to keep the audio completely private, be mindful of where you display the printed image or with whom you share it. For sensitive recordings, consider displaying them only in private spaces like your bedroom or home office rather than public areas.

Yes. You can permanently delete your personal data and content at any time using our self-service data deletion feature.

When you delete your data, your audio recordings and generated images are permanently removed from our servers, and any related QR codes are disabled. This action is irreversible and deleted data cannot be recovered.

Certain information, such as payment transaction records, may be retained as required for legal, regulatory, tax, accounting, or fraud prevention purposes. No personal content is retained after deletion.

Before proceeding, we strongly recommend downloading and securely storing any content you wish to keep, as deleted memories cannot be restored.

To delete your data, please visit our data deletion page.

No, we never sell your personal information to third parties. Your privacy is important to us, and we treat your data with respect.

We collect only the minimal information necessary to provide our service: your email address (for account management and retrieval), payment information (processed securely by Paystack), audio files you upload, custom text and design preferences, and basic transaction records for billing purposes.

This information is used exclusively to operate the service, process your payments, provide customer support, and communicate with you about your voice memories. We do not use your data for marketing purposes, sell it to advertisers, share it with data brokers, or use it for any purpose unrelated to providing you with our voice memory service.

For complete details about how we handle your information, please review our Privacy Policy at alwayskeep.me/privacy.