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The AssemblyAI Real-Time API requires an upgraded account with billing enabled. Running the application without an upgraded account will result in a 402 error.

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Why Upgrade is Required

The real-time transcription API is a premium feature that requires an upgraded AssemblyAI account. This ensures:
  • Access to high-performance streaming infrastructure
  • Low-latency real-time transcription capabilities
  • Priority support and higher usage limits
  • Advanced features like speaker diarization and custom vocabulary

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Understanding the 402 Error

If you try to use the real-time API without an upgraded account, you’ll encounter a 402 Unauthorized status code. What you’ll see: 
// WebSocket connection attempt fails
WebSocket connection to 'wss://streaming.assemblyai.com/v3/ws?...' failed

// Or in the token fetch response
{
  "error": "Account not upgraded",
  "status": 402
}
In the browser:
  • The “Record” button may not start recording
  • An alert: “WebSocket error, check the console.”
  • Console errors related to WebSocket connection failure

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How to Upgrade Your Account

Follow these steps to upgrade your AssemblyAI account:

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Step 1: Access Your Dashboard

Go to the AssemblyAI Dashboard

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Step 2: Navigate to Billing

  1. Log in with your credentials
  2. Click on your account menu (top-right corner)
  3. Select “Billing” or “Account Settings”

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Step 3: Add Payment Method

  1. Click “Add Payment Method” or “Upgrade Account”
  2. Enter your payment card information
  3. Complete the billing information form
  4. Click “Save” or “Submit”

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Step 4: Verify Upgrade

Once your payment method is added:
  1. Your account should be automatically upgraded
  2. You’ll see a confirmation message
  3. Your dashboard will show updated usage limits

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Step 5: Restart Your Application

After upgrading:
  1. Stop the running application (Ctrl+C in the terminal)
  2. Restart with yarn serve
  3. Try recording again

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Pricing Information

AssemblyAI uses a pay-as-you-go pricing model:
  • You’re only charged for the audio you transcribe
  • Real-time transcription is priced per audio hour
  • No monthly minimum or subscription fees
  • Free tier available for testing (limited usage)
For current pricing details, visit the AssemblyAI Pricing Page.

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Billing & Usage Tracking

Once upgraded, you can monitor your usage:
  1. Go to app.assemblyai.com
  2. Navigate to the “Usage” section
  3. View:
    • Total audio minutes transcribed
    • Current billing period usage
    • Estimated costs
    • Usage history and trends

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Free Tier & Testing

Even with an upgraded account, AssemblyAI offers:
  • Free trial credits for new accounts
  • Development/testing usage allowances
  • Sandbox environments for experimentation
Check your dashboard for current free tier limits.

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Troubleshooting Upgrade Issues

If you upgraded but still see 402 errors:
  1. Wait a few minutes: Account upgrades may take 1-2 minutes to propagate
  2. Verify payment was processed: Check your email for confirmation
  3. Clear your API token cache:
    • Stop the application
    • Restart the server to get a fresh token
  4. Regenerate your API key:
    • Go to your dashboard
    • Navigate to API Keys
    • Generate a new key and update your .env file
  5. Contact support: If issues persist, email [email protected]
If your payment method is declined:
  1. Check card details: Verify card number, expiration, and CVV
  2. Contact your bank: Ensure the charge is not blocked
  3. Try a different card: Some cards may have restrictions on API services
  4. Check billing address: Ensure it matches your card’s billing address
  5. Try PayPal or alternative methods: If available in your region
For billing documentation:
  1. Go to app.assemblyai.com
  2. Navigate to “Billing” → “Invoices”
  3. Download invoices for any billing period
  4. Receipts are automatically emailed after each charge
  5. For custom invoices, contact [email protected]

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Downgrading or Cancelling

If you need to downgrade:
  1. Go to your dashboard billing settings
  2. Remove your payment method
  3. Note: You’ll lose access to real-time API features
  4. Your account will revert to the free tier
  5. Existing transcriptions and data remain accessible

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Support

For billing or account upgrade assistance:

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