Whether you need this depends on which device you're setting up.
On iPhone: no Bluetooth permission needed
Voicebuds connect to your iPhone as an accessory, so the Subtle app never asks for Bluetooth permission and there's no Bluetooth toggle under Settings → Subtle.
If your Voicebuds show as connected in Settings → Bluetooth — audio even plays through them — but the Subtle app says they're not connected, open Voicebuds settings in the app and tap Connect. Still not connecting? See Voicebuds not found / can't pair.
On Mac: re-enable Bluetooth for Subtle
The Mac app does need Bluetooth permission. If you clicked Don't Allow when it asked:
- Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Bluetooth.
- Turn on Subtle.
- Return to the Subtle app and try connecting again.
macOS won't ask again on its own after you deny a permission, so it has to be turned on there.
Other permissions to check
On iPhone these are in Settings → Subtle; on Mac, in System Settings → Privacy & Security:
- Microphone — required for dictation and voice notes
- Speech Recognition — lets Subtle turn your speech into text on-device, including when you're offline
- Accessibility (Mac only; called Insert spoken words during setup) — lets Subtle put your dictation into other apps
Still can't pair? See Voicebuds not found / can't pair.