This guide walks you through every step — from creating your account to your first whisper-quiet dictation. The app guides you through most of it; here's the map so you know what's coming.
What you'll need
- Your Voicebuds and charging case with enough charge to pair
- An iPhone with Bluetooth enabled (setting up on a Mac? See Pair Voicebuds with your Mac)
- The Subtle app installed (download here)
- An internet connection for account creation and AI features
Step 1 — Create your account
- Open the app and tap Get Started.
- Enter your email and tap Continue, then follow the prompts to set your password and name. (Let your password manager save it — it's linked to subtle.co.)
- On the Check Your Mail screen, open the Subtle confirmation message in your inbox and tap the link, then return to the app.
Step 2 — Grant permissions
Subtle asks for four permissions, each with a job:
- Bluetooth — connects the app to your Voicebuds
- Microphone — used only while you're actively dictating
- Speech recognition — turns speech into text on-device when you're offline
- Insert spoken words — puts your dictation into the right text box
Denied one by accident? See Bluetooth permission denied: how to re-enable — the same Settings path fixes any of them.
Step 3 — Choose your data preference
The You control your data screen asks whether your audio and dictations may help train Subtle's models. Pick either — Subtle works the same both ways, and you can change it anytime in your Profile. Details: Help Improve Subtle.
Step 4 — Pair your Voicebuds
With Bluetooth on, open the case near your phone and hold the Pairing Button for 3 seconds until the light slowly pulses white. Then select "Subtle Voicebuds" in your Bluetooth settings.
Trouble here? See the Bluetooth pairing troubleshooting guide.
Step 5 — Add the Subtle Keyboard
The app walks you through this with a video. In iOS Settings:
- Tap General → Keyboard → Keyboards
- Tap Add New Keyboard and find "Subtle"
- Tap it and enable Allow Full Access (required for dictation)
- Return to the app to continue
Step 6 — Learn it by doing
The rest of setup is hands-on: the app checks your earbud fit, calibrates to your quietest comfortable voice, then walks you through real practice — your first dictation, a full sentence, and a quiet whisper. Take the two minutes; the whisper practice is where Voicebuds click.
Want a do-over later? Profile → Replay Welcome Guide runs the whole walkthrough again.
What to expect
- Pairing typically completes in under a minute
- Transcription and AI features need an internet connection
- AI outputs may contain errors — review before relying on them
Something went wrong?
- Can't pair: See "Voicebuds not found / can't pair"
- Dictation not working in other apps: See "Dictating in Apps"
- Still stuck: See "Contact support: what to include"