Connect a Plaud Device
Connect a Plaud Device
Use the BuildBetter mobile app to connect a Plaud recorder, start and stop hardware recordings, and import completed audio into your BuildBetter library.
Info: BuildBetter has iPhone and Android apps. Plaud is available on iPhone and in Plaud-enabled Android builds. You do not need a Plaud API key, client secret, or access token. BuildBetter handles device authorization after you sign in and select a workspace.
Before You Start
Make sure you have:
- The latest BuildBetter app installed on a physical iPhone or Android phone
- A BuildBetter account with access to the workspace where recordings should be uploaded
- A charged Plaud device nearby
- Bluetooth turned on and allowed for BuildBetter in iOS or Android Settings
Accept any Bluetooth, Nearby Devices, location, or Wi-Fi permission prompts shown during setup. The exact permissions depend on your phone and operating-system version.
If the Plaud device is connected to the official Plaud app, disconnect it there before pairing it with BuildBetter. A Plaud device can only maintain one active app connection at a time.
Enable and Connect Plaud
1. Sign in to BuildBetter
Open Settings in the BuildBetter mobile app, sign in, and select the workspace that should receive Plaud uploads.
Plaud cannot be enabled until both sign-in and workspace selection are complete.
2. Enable the integration
In Settings, find Plaud and turn Enable Plaud on.
3. Open Plaud Devices
Tap Plaud Devices, then tap Scan. Keep the Plaud close to the phone while BuildBetter searches for it.
4. Connect the device
Find your Plaud in the Pairing list and tap Connect. Wait until the device card says Connected.
An enabled integration is not the same as a connected device. The status is green only when BuildBetter has completed the secure connection and the Plaud is ready.
Record on Plaud
You can start a hardware recording in either of these ways:
- Open Plaud Devices and tap Record On Plaud. Return to the same screen and tap Stop Device when you are finished.
- Tap the main record button while a Plaud is connected. BuildBetter asks whether you want to record on this iPhone or this Android device, or on the connected Plaud device.
Note: A Plaud recording does not stream into the BuildBetter library while it is still in progress. Stop the recording, sync the device list, and import the completed file.
Import Recordings
1. Load the device recordings
Open Plaud Devices and tap Sync List. Completed recordings appear under Device Recordings.
2. Choose a transfer method
Use one of the available buttons:
| Button | Transfer method | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Import | Bluetooth | Shorter files or a reliable fallback |
| Fast | Wi-Fi Fast Transfer | Larger files that would take longer over Bluetooth |
Fast Transfer may temporarily change the phone's Wi-Fi connection while it connects directly to the Plaud.
3. Wait for the import to finish
Keep BuildBetter open, the phone awake, and the Plaud nearby. The device page shows the transfer stage and percentage.
4. Open the imported recording
When the import is complete, the file changes to Open. Tap it to open the recording, or find it later in Library.
BuildBetter marks the recording as Plaud-originated and keeps the original recording time for sorting.
Optional Automation
The Plaud settings include three optional controls. They are off by default.
| Setting | What It Does |
|---|---|
| AutoSync | Imports recordings that are not already in your Library while BuildBetter is open and the Plaud is connected |
| Auto-transcribe imports | Starts completed-file transcription after a Plaud recording is imported |
| Auto-upload imports | Uploads the original audio to the selected BuildBetter workspace after import |
Auto-upload requires an active BuildBetter session and a selected workspace. If transcription or upload cannot run, the original imported audio remains in the local Library.
Troubleshooting
The Device Does Not Appear
- Confirm Bluetooth is on and BuildBetter has Bluetooth or Nearby Devices permission.
- Move the Plaud closer to the phone and make sure it has enough battery.
- Disconnect the device from the official Plaud app on any nearby phone.
- Stop the scan, tap the refresh button, and scan again.
Pairing Does Not Finish
If BuildBetter finds the device but does not reach Connected, disconnect it from the official Plaud app, restart the Plaud if needed, and retry the connection. Do not start Sync List, recording, or an import until the device card says Connected.
Sync List Says the Device Is Not Connected
The integration may be enabled while the secure device connection is not ready. Open Plaud Devices, reconnect the device, and wait for the green Connected status before tapping Sync List.
Fast Transfer Stalls or Fails
- Keep BuildBetter in the foreground and keep the Plaud close to the phone.
- Wait for any current transfer to finish before starting another.
- Retry Fast once after reconnecting the device.
- Use Import to transfer over Bluetooth if Wi-Fi Fast Transfer remains unavailable.
BuildBetter Asks for Setup or Authorization
You should never enter a Plaud client secret or user access token in the app. Instead:
- Confirm you are signed in to BuildBetter.
- Confirm the correct workspace is selected.
- Turn Enable Plaud off and back on.
- Reopen Plaud Devices and reconnect the recorder.
If you changed workspaces, re-enable Plaud after selecting the new workspace so future uploads go to the correct place.
An Imported Recording Was Not Transcribed or Uploaded
Open Settings → Plaud and check Auto-transcribe imports and Auto-upload imports. Also confirm that your BuildBetter session is active and the selected workspace can process new recordings. You can still open, play, or manually upload the original audio from the local Library.
Note: If Plaud does not appear in Settings, update the BuildBetter mobile app. If it is still missing, contact your BuildBetter representative to confirm that your iPhone or Android build includes Plaud support.