How to use BaReader

Getting Started

BaReader is your bartending companion — built to reduce the anxiety of facing a bar when you're still building confidence, and to keep challenging you as you grow. Whether it's your first shift or your five hundredth, BaReader holds the knowledge so you can hold the room.

After downloading from the App Store, you'll be greeted with a short three-step onboarding that walks you through the core workflow.

First Launch

On first launch, BaReader will request microphone and speech recognition permissions. These are required for voice matching. You can grant them from the onboarding screen or later in Settings → Privacy → Microphone.

The Three Screens

• Recipe List — Browse, search, and select cocktails from your library.
• Teleprompter — The active recipe view. Displays one ingredient or step at a time.
• Settings — Adjust font size, theme, language, units, and recognition sensitivity.

Voice Recognition

BaReader's core feature is automatic cocktail detection via your device microphone. When the listening indicator is active (green pulsing dot), BaReader is monitoring for cocktail names.

How to Trigger a Recipe

Simply say the cocktail name clearly near the device. BaReader matches against your full recipe library — including custom recipes.

Sensitivity Modes

Adjust how quickly BaReader reacts via the sensitivity control in the teleprompter toolbar:

• FAST — Matches immediately. Best for quiet environments.
• BAL — Balanced. Recommended for most bars.
• SLOW — Waits for a clear, complete phrase. Best for noisy environments.

Internet connection

Not required. BaReader works fully offline — recipes are stored on-device and speech recognition runs locally. On any iPhone from around the iPhone 12/13 generation and newer, on-device recognition is the default. Wherever you're bartending, no signal needed.

Muting the Microphone

Tap the microphone icon in the toolbar to pause listening. The indicator turns gray. Tap again to resume.

Teleprompter View

When a recipe is loaded, the teleprompter view shows one ingredient or step at a time in large, readable text.

Navigating Steps

• Tap the screen — advance to the next item.
• Swipe left — move forward.
• Swipe right — go back.
• Tap the list below — jump directly to any ingredient or step.

Reading the Interface

• The glass icon indicates the serving glass (coupe, rocks, highball…).
• The technique icon shows whether to shake or stir.
• The progress bar shows how far through the recipe you are.
• Ingredient hints appear in orange when a variation or substitution is available.

Managing Recipes

Adding a Custom Recipe

Tap the + button in the recipe list. Fill in the name, glass type, preparation method, ingredients, and steps. Custom recipe creation requires a Pro subscription.

Editing Recipes

Tap the edit (pencil) icon next to any recipe. Use Settings → Reset Recipes to restore built-in recipes to factory defaults.

Settings

Quick Access

Pin up to 3 recipes for instant access from the top of the recipe list. Long-press any recipe and select Add to Quick Access, or tap the star icon while in the teleprompter. Requires Pro.

Siri Shortcuts

BaReader supports Apple App Intents. To create a shortcut:

1. Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone.
2. Tap + and search for BaReader.
3. Select Open Recipe, choose a cocktail, and assign a Siri phrase.

Units & Measurements

BaReader uses the industry standard of 1 oz = 30 ml. Toggle units in Settings or directly in the teleprompter toolbar — the change is applied instantly to all ingredient quantities.

Subscription

Pro unlocks the full library (100+ cocktails), custom recipe creation, Quick Access pinning, and priority support. Available monthly ($2.99), yearly ($24.99), or as a one-time lifetime purchase ($59.99).

Restoring a Purchase

Tap Restore Purchases on the paywall screen. Ensure you're signed in with the same Apple ID used for the original purchase.

Troubleshooting

Microphone not working

Go to iOS Settings → BaReader → Microphone and ensure it's enabled. Toggle off and on, then restart the app.

Recipe not being recognized / noisy environment

Switch sensitivity to SLOW in the toolbar — it waits for a more complete phrase before triggering, which reduces false matches in loud venues. Keep the device close: tucked behind the bar near the POS or speed rail works well for most environments.

For very loud bars, consider using AirPods, EarPods, or a clip-on lavalier mic (the $15–20 discrete lapel mics popular on TikTok work surprisingly well). The closer the mic is to your mouth, the better the recognition — the iPhone's built-in mic is capable, but distance is its main limitation.

App crashes or freezes

Force quit and reopen. If it persists, delete and reinstall — your subscription is tied to your Apple ID and can be restored. For ongoing issues, contact support.