Subtex replaces the paper business card. You build one digital card, share it with a QR code, and everyone you meet lands in a searchable collection you actually keep. Here's everything you need to set up, swap cards, and work a room like a pro.
Jump to quick startSubtex is a digital business card that lives on your phone. Instead of handing over paper you'll never see again, you show a QR code — the other person scans it, and both of your cards are exchanged at once. Everyone you meet lands in a searchable collection, so the conversation you had at a conference last spring is still one tap away.
This is the core loop, and it takes about three seconds in real life. Master this and you've mastered Subtex — everything else just makes it better.
Open the app and create your login with whichever option you like:
If you sign up with email, just choose a password — at least 8 characters with one uppercase letter and one number. Already have an account? Pick "Sign In" instead, and "Forgot password?" will email you a reset if you ever need one.
First launch walks you through a short wizard. This becomes your default card — the one your QR code points at. Here's what each step asks for:
Nothing to fill in — just tap "Continue" to begin.
Full name and Title are required. Company, phone, and location are optional — add what's useful, skip what isn't.
Optional, but worth it. The URL must start with https://www.linkedin.com/in/
Tap "Choose Photo" and pick a headshot. Then tap "Complete" to finish.
You'll also see a one-time prompt titled "Make Subtex Yours" asking about personalization. Answer however you like — it doesn't lock or unlock any features either way.
You'll feel a haptic tap and see a green checkmark the moment it lands.
A banner appears above your QR reading "Checking in at {event name}", and the connection is filed under that event automatically. If more than one of your events is live, you'll pick from a menu — Subtex won't guess. There's a "Not at an event" option too.
Tap the "Share" button next to the scanner to send a connect link through Messages, Mail, or anywhere else — perfect for people who aren't standing in front of you. They tap the link, confirm, and your cards are swapped. Links stay active for 7 days.
Every person you exchange with lives in the Cards tab. This is where a stack of forgotten business cards becomes a network you can actually use.
Tap a card, then "Notes" to jot private reminders about how you met. "Tags" lets you label the relationship with a primary tag, plus any number of secondary tags.
Primary tags
Secondary tags (add as many as you like)
Tags follow the person everywhere. Tag someone once and it shows up on their event and team cards too — you'll see "Tags synced across all cards" confirm it.
The sparkles button next to search opens AI search. Ask things like "How did I meet Art Vandelay?" and it answers from your own collection. You can also generate an "AI Summary" on the back of any card for quick context right before a meeting.
Met someone without Subtex? Go to Cards → + → "Personal Card". You'll need their name, email, and phone — all three are required. Company, title, and notes are optional.
To join an event: go to Events → + → "Join Event", then enter the code from your organizer. Some events also ask for a password.
Inside an event you can tap "Check In to Event" (it flips to "Checked In"), read the "Event Brief" if the organizer wrote one, browse the "Attendees" list, and open the event playlist.
You can filter attendees by "All", "Connected Here", "Met Before", or "Never Met Before" to see exactly who's still worth meeting. There's no RSVP in Subtex — you join, and you check in.
Teams are how a company or organization keeps its people connected. You can't create a team in the app — teams are set up by an admin in the Subtex dashboard. Until you're added, a new user sees "You'll see your teams here once an admin adds you to one."
If you have a code, Teams → + → "Join Team" gets you in. Inside, you'll find the team's events, the "Team Hub" brief, the member list, and a "Create Team Card" button for a team-specific version of your card.
Subtex is free to use, with a generous starter collection. Subtex One unlocks unlimited cards and the tools that turn contacts into relationships — notes, tags, and AI.
| Feature | Free | Subtex One |
|---|---|---|
| Collect cards | Up to 25 | Unlimited |
| Notes & Tags | — | ✓ |
| AI contact summaries | — | ✓ |
| AI contact search | — | ✓ |
| Custom app icons | — | ✓ |
| Cross-event profiles | — | ✓ |
| Pricing | Free | $9.99/mo · $99/yr |
Open your card on Home to manage your account. From there you can reach:
Yes. Subtex is free on both iPhone and Android — download it from the App Store or Google Play.
Open their card and tap "Contact", or just long-press their card in your collection. Either way, it fills in your phone's Add Contact screen for you. You save people one at a time — there's no bulk export.
Free accounts stop at 25 collected cards. Upgrade to Subtex One for an unlimited collection.
Codes are issued by the organizer and can expire. Ask them to resend the current one.
You were probably invited under a different email. Use "Link invite email" in your Profile to claim your event and team memberships.
Teams are admin-assigned. Ask your admin to add you, or get a join code from them and use Teams → + → "Join Team".
Download Subtex, build your card in minutes, and never lose another contact. Your next great conversation is one scan away.
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