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 and sign in with your new email and password.
Step 2 — Grant permissions
On iPhone, Subtle asks for two permissions, each with a job:
- Microphone — used only while you're actively dictating
- Speech recognition — turns speech into text on-device when you're offline
Voicebuds connect to your iPhone as an accessory, so the app doesn't need a Bluetooth permission. (Setting up on a Mac? The Mac app also asks for Bluetooth and Insert spoken words, the Accessibility permission that lets Subtle type into other apps.)
Denied one by accident? Open iPhone Settings → Subtle and turn it back on.
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 Profile → Settings. 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. Tap Add Subtle Keyboard and iOS opens Subtle's page in Settings:
- Tap Keyboards
- Turn on Subtle, then Allow Full Access (required for dictation)
- Return to the app — it shows Subtle Keyboard added
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"