Shush Support

Shush: Mute People IRL · iPhone app by Matt Gordon

Need help, found a bug or have an idea? Send a message below or email [email protected]. I read everything myself and usually reply within 2 working days.

Contact us

Prefer email? [email protected] · On X: @mattgordonxyz

Frequently asked questions

What is Shush?

An iPhone app that recognises the voices of people you choose and plays music or relaxing sounds over them in your AirPods. Everyone else, and your own voice, still comes through.

What do I need?

An iPhone on iOS 26 or later and AirPods (or other Bluetooth headphones). Summary also needs an iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence, with it turned on.

How do I add someone?

Tap add on the People screen and record them talking for about 30 seconds. Shush learns the sound of their voice, not their words. You can also add yourself so Shush never mutes you.

Does Shush record or upload conversations?

No. Shush listens live and forgets the audio straight away. The only recordings it keeps are the short clips you make when you add a person, and they stay on your iPhone. Nothing is uploaded, and there are no accounts, ads or tracking. See the Privacy Policy.

How fast does it mute?

Usually within about half a second of someone starting to talk, so the first word can slip through.

Can I choose what I hear instead?

Yes. In Settings › Hold Music pick hold music, soft music, ocean or rain, or use your own MP3 or M4A song (the first 3 minutes loop). The slider sets how loud it plays.

What if they say something important?

Turn on Summary and Shush writes down what they said while they were muted, with a short summary on top. It runs on your iPhone with Apple's speech recognition and Apple Intelligence; nothing is uploaded and transcripts are not kept after you close the app.

Does it work in the background?

Yes, while Shush is listening it keeps working with the screen locked or in another app, like a music app would.

Is it legal to record someone's voice?

Only add people who agree to it. Recording laws differ between countries, and you're responsible for following the ones where you are.

How much does it cost?

The TestFlight beta is free. Sign up here and we'll email your invite.

Troubleshooting

Shush isn't hearing anything

Check Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone and make sure Shush is on. Make sure your AirPods are connected and selected as the audio output in Control Center.

It mutes the wrong person, or shows “Someone new”

Go to Settings › Recognition. Lower the slider if people you've added show as “Someone new”; raise it if the wrong name appears. Re-recording someone in a quiet room also helps. Very similar voices can still get mixed up; please tell me if it keeps happening.

I can't hear the room, only music

Turn on Settings › Hear the Room Through Shush, or put your AirPods in Transparency mode (press and hold the stem, or use Control Center).

Summary isn't working

Allow Speech Recognition in Settings › Privacy & Security › Speech Recognition, and turn on Apple Intelligence in Settings › Apple Intelligence & Siri. The first time, your iPhone may need a few minutes to download the speech model.

My own song won't play

Use an MP3 or M4A file saved in the Files app. Songs bought or streamed with DRM (for example Apple Music downloads) can't be used.

My TestFlight build expired or won't install

Beta builds last 90 days. Open the TestFlight app and install the latest build. If your invite link doesn't work, send me a message with the email you signed up with.

Something else is wrong

Force-quit Shush and open it again, then check your iPhone is on the latest iOS. Still stuck? Use the form above and include your iPhone model, iOS version and AirPods model.

Feedback and feature requests

Shush is in beta and your feedback shapes what comes next. Choose “Feedback or idea” in the form above, or in the TestFlight build take a screenshot and tap Share Beta Feedback to send it straight from the app with a note.

If you enjoy Shush, telling a friend helps a lot: shush.cool.

Your data and deleting it

More detail: Privacy Policy · Terms of Use

Developer

Shush is made by Matt Gordon.
Email: [email protected]