Subtle needs an internet connection for cloud-based features like AI transcription and chat. Here's exactly what changes when you go offline — and how to pick up where you left off.
What works offline
- Reviewing past notes and chats — content that's already loaded is fully accessible
- Voicebuds audio functions — music, calls, noise cancellation, and transparency mode all work without internet
- Recording — you can start a voice recording, but the transcription will use phone or computer mics and the default Apple transcription not Voicebuds or Subtle AI
- Recording a note from Home — on-device transcription keeps working (the mics inside an open note or chat hide while offline)
- Basic app navigation — browsing your Home feed and viewing saved content
What doesn't work offline
- Dictation via the Subtle keyboard — the keyboard shows "Connecting to server..." — but a dictation that can't be delivered is saved, and the keyboard offers it back with a retry once you reconnect
- AI chat responses — chat is read-only; you can't receive new responses
- Transcription — recordings made offline use phone or computer mics and are processed via Apple transcription
- Sync — new notes and chats created on another device won't appear until you're back online
Finishing offline recordings when you reconnect
- Reconnect to Wi-Fi or enable cellular data.
- Open the Subtle app to the Home feed and give it a moment — pull down to refresh.
- Pending items will process and appear in your feed.
- If a note still shows as unprocessed, close and reopen the app.
The offline indicator
The Subtle app and keyboard both display an indicator when you're offline. If you see it unexpectedly, check iPhone Settings to confirm your Wi-Fi or cellular connection is active. Toggling airplane mode off, or switching between Wi-Fi and cellular, usually resolves transient connectivity drops.