This guide walks you through the setup Stream iOS takes you through the first time you open it, from the box to your first capture, in about ten minutes. If you want to go back over any part of it, it's all here.
What you need
- Your Stream Ring and charger (both in the box)
- A USB-C cable and power adapter, or a computer with a USB-C port
- An iPhone on iOS 26 or later, with Bluetooth on
1. Wake your Ring on the charger
Your Stream Ring ships powered off, and the charging process wakes it. Follow these instructions so your Ring is ready to connect by the time you have installed Stream iOS.
- Plug the charger into power using your USB-C cable.
- Turn your Ring so the charging pads inside the band face the charger's center post, with the microphone facing the dot on the charger.
- Slide it down over the post until you feel it snap into place.
- Watch the light: it glows for a few seconds, then turns off (this means it's charging).
Leave it on the charger while you download Stream iOS. More: Charging your Ring
2. Get Stream iOS
Download Stream iOS from the App Store, open it and sign in or create an account. Sign-up includes your free trial of Upstream, Stream's paid plan.
Preordered your Ring? Your discounted price is applied automatically; there is no code to enter.
3. Start setup: sound and keyboard
Setup starts with two quick choices.
- Sound: pick when Stream speaks out loud. You can change it later in Settings → Audio.
- Stream Keyboard: tap Go to Settings to add it now, so you can dictate in any app, or Maybe later. If you tap Maybe later, you can add it afterwards from Settings → iOS Keyboard → Set up Stream Keyboard, which will ask you to unpair and re-pair your Ring. More: Set up Universal Dictation
4. Pair your Ring
Keep your Ring on the plugged-in charger until pairing is complete. If you lift it off partway, pairing won't finish.
- When setup shows your Ring, tap Ring matches above, Pair.
- A Nearby Accessories window opens. Tap your Ring.
- Wait a few seconds. When the Bluetooth window asks to pair, tap Pair.
- Follow any on-screen steps, such as placing the Ring back on the charger, then tap Done.
5. Update your Ring
If an update is waiting, setup says so: keep Stream iOS open and your Ring on its charger while it installs, and tap Start Update. It usually takes a few minutes.
If the button reads Charge Required, your Ring is at 5% or below. Leave it on the charger and try again.
Later updates show as Update Ring in the Ring menu (tap the ring icon at the top right).
6. Allow permissions
Stream asks for three permissions, each with its own button: Allow notifications (so you get replies and Charging Started), Allow location, and Allow microphone. Tap Not now on any to decide later; you can change them in your iPhone's Settings.
7. Put your Ring on
Setup asks you to put your Ring on: an index finger, either hand, with the private mic facing up and the touchpad toward your thumb. Your dominant hand usually works best, but choose whichever feels comfortable.
More: Get to know your Stream Ring
8. Learn the primary gesture
Everything starts with one move: hold the touchpad with your thumb, speak, and let go. Setup has you try it, and shows the other two you'll use most: tap to stop a reply, and swipes for Media Controls once you turn those on.
More: Using gestures on your Ring and Wear and care
9. Pick a voice
Choose how Stream sounds: Silica, Quartz, Garnet, or Inner Voice, which is built from your own voice.
For Inner Voice you read a short passage through your Ring, about 6 inches from your mouth, for at least 30 seconds. You can change your voice later. More: Voice, chat & audio preferences
10. Make your first capture
Setup ends with your first capture:
- Hold the touchpad until you feel a pulse, say one thing, and let go.
- One haptic pulse when you release means it's saved.
- You'll find your capture in the Stream tab in the app.
For more on capturing notes, lists and reminders, see How to make a capture
If you added Stream Keyboard, setup finishes with a quick test of it: tap into the text box it shows, hold the touchpad and speak, and your words appear as you talk.
What next
Two things worth doing this week:
- Get Stream Mac and dictate into any text field with Set up Universal Dictation.
- Connect Stream to Claude or ChatGPT with Set up Stream MCP.
Having trouble?
- Having trouble charging
- Ring won't connect or respond
- How to prevent accidental touches
- Ring won't stop vibrating
Need help?
Email support@sandbar.com, or in Stream iOS:
Settings → Get Support
We usually reply within one business day.