The strip above the Subtle keyboard doubles as a status line. When dictation needs something, it shows a status or error message — find the exact text you're seeing below.
Setup messages
"Enable Subtle dictation"
The keyboard needs Full Access to reach Subtle. Tap the message and follow the walkthrough, or go to Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards → Subtle → Allow Full Access. Dictation can't work without it.
"Sign in to use Subtle dictation"
You're signed out. Open the Subtle app and sign in; the keyboard picks it up automatically.
"Open Subtle to enable dictation"
Your account doesn't have an active membership linked on this device yet. Tap to open the app — claiming your Voicebuds or signing in there resolves it, and the keyboard updates on its own.
Connection messages
"Connecting to server..."
The keyboard can't reach Subtle right now. This usually clears in a few seconds. If it doesn't: check your internet connection, then open the Subtle app once (it re-establishes the session) and switch back to your typing.
"Enable microphone access to dictate"
You're dictating without Voicebuds and the app doesn't have microphone permission. Go to Settings → Subtle → Microphone and turn it on.
Tip: after restarting your iPhone, open Subtle once before dictating in other apps — it saves the keyboard a reconnect.
While you dictate
A waveform means Subtle is listening — release the mic to insert your words.
- "Taking longer than usual…" — processing is slow, usually a weak connection. Hold on; it will finish or offer a retry.
- "Recording saved, reconnecting…" — the connection dropped mid-delivery. Your audio is safe and Subtle is retrying. Don't dictate again — that replaces your saved take.
Your words are not lost: recovery messages
If a dictation can't be delivered, Subtle keeps the recording and offers it back:
- "Recording saved" with retry — tap retry to transcribe and insert it; the ✕ discards it.
- A recover button after reopening the keyboard — an earlier interrupted dictation is waiting. Tap to bring it back.
Full walkthrough: Your dictation is saved — recovering an interrupted recording.
Error messages
| Message | What happened | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| "Didn't catch that. Tap to try again." | No usable speech in the recording | Tap, then speak a little louder or longer |
| "Couldn't send the recording." | Delivery failed after retries | Check your connection, tap retry |
| "Dictation interrupted. Tap to try again." | The session was cut off | Tap to restart — recovery keeps what it can |
| "The app is busy recording." | A recording is running in the Subtle app | Finish or stop it there, then dictate |
| "Dictation is open in another app." | Another app's keyboard session is still active | Close the keyboard there, then retry here |
One place the keyboard never appears
Inside the Subtle app itself, text fields always use the system keyboard — custom keyboards, including Subtle's, are blocked there by design. That's not a bug.
Message persists after the fix?
Force-close the Subtle app, reopen it, wait for Home to load, then retry. If it continues, email support@subtle.co or submit a request — include the exact message text, a screenshot, and your app version.