Frequently Asked Questions

BaReader is a hands-free cocktail recipe reader for iPhone and iPad. It listens for cocktail names via your device microphone and displays ingredients and preparation steps one at a time in a large teleprompter-style view — so your hands stay free while you mix.

BaReader is built for anyone on the bartending journey — but especially for those just starting out. If you've ever frozen behind a bar because you blanked on a recipe, BaReader is your safety net. It removes the anxiety of not knowing everything from day one, so you can focus on what actually matters: building confidence and doing the work.

Once you've mastered your first set of cocktails, BaReader grows with you — the full library introduces new challenges when you're ready for them. And for seasoned professionals, it's a silent tool in your kit for those moments when a guest orders something obscure mid-rush, or you're navigating a new bar's spec list on your first week.

Currently, BaReader is available exclusively on iOS (iPhone and iPad). An Android version is not planned at this time, but you can contact us to express interest.

BaReader requires iOS 16.0 or later. It is compatible with all iPhones and iPads running iOS 16+.

BaReader uses Apple's Speech Recognition framework to listen through your device microphone. It matches transcribed text against cocktail names in your recipe library. When a match is found, the recipe loads automatically in the teleprompter view.

Honestly — it depends, and we won't oversell it. Speech recognition has real limitations in very loud environments, and a packed Saturday night bar is one of the hardest scenarios for any microphone-based app.

That said, the iPhone mic is genuinely capable and handles challenging environments better than most people expect. The key is proximity — don't be too far from the device. Tucked behind the bar near the POS or speed rail, it performs well in most real-world situations.

For those working in truly loud venues, some users have found a big difference using AirPods or EarPods (the mic sits right at your collar) or inexpensive clip-on lavalier mics — the kind of discrete $15–20 TikTok-style lapel mics work surprisingly well and keep things very discreet.

Setting sensitivity to Slow in the toolbar also helps in noisy environments — it waits for a more complete, confident phrase before triggering, which reduces false matches. It's a small trade-off in speed for a big gain in accuracy.

No internet required. BaReader works completely offline — your recipes are stored on the device and speech recognition runs on-device. Doesn't matter if the bar has spotty Wi-Fi, you're working a rooftop pop-up with no signal, or you've taken your bartending to the middle of nowhere. BaReader doesn't care.

The only caveat worth mentioning: on very old devices, iOS may fall back to server-side speech processing when offline, which requires a connection. But BaReader requires iOS 16, which means you're running it on an iPhone 8 or newer — and from around the iPhone 12 / 13 generation onwards, on-device recognition is the default and it's excellent. If your phone is anywhere close to current, you'll never need to think about this.

The bar doesn't wait for Wi-Fi. Neither should you.

Yes. You can browse the recipe list manually and tap any recipe to load it in the teleprompter. Voice recognition is a convenience feature, not a requirement.

The free version includes a curated set of essential classic cocktails. A Pro subscription unlocks the full library of 100+ cocktails, covering everything from the Amaretto Sour to the Zombie.

Yes, custom recipe creation is included with a Pro subscription. You can add the name, glass type, preparation method, ingredients with quantities, and numbered steps. Custom recipes are fully searchable and voice-recognizable.

BaReader supports both ounces (oz) and millilitres (ml) using the industry standard of 1 oz = 30 ml. Toggle units in Settings or directly from the teleprompter toolbar — the change applies instantly.

Pro includes: full recipe library (100+ cocktails), custom recipe creation, Quick Access pinning (up to 3 recipes), and priority support. Available monthly ($2.99), yearly ($24.99), or lifetime ($59.99 one-time).

Subscriptions are managed through Apple. Go to iOS Settings → tap your name → Subscriptions → BaReader → Cancel Subscription. Your access continues until the end of the current billing period.

Open the app, go to the paywall or subscription screen, and tap Restore Purchases. Make sure you're signed in with the same Apple ID used for the original purchase.

All purchases are processed by Apple. Refund requests must be submitted via Apple's official process at reportaproblem.apple.com. We cannot process refunds directly.

No. BaReader does not record, store, or transmit your voice or audio data. Speech processing is handled entirely by Apple's Speech Recognition framework. We never receive or store audio.

BaReader may collect anonymised crash reports and usage analytics to improve the app. This data does not include personal information or audio. See our Privacy Policy for full details.