Help & Support

Questions, problems, or a report about misuse: [email protected]. We reply within two working days, and review misuse reports within 24 hours.

Common questions

How do I create a voice? Go to Voices → Add a voice. Read the passage on screen for 15 to 20 seconds in a quiet room, or import a recording where one person speaks clearly. Creating a voice is free and usually takes under a minute. Only you can use the voices you create.

Why doesn't my voice sound like me? The recording matters most. Record in a quiet room, hold the phone about 20 cm from your mouth, and speak at a natural pace. A voice sounds most like you in the languages you recorded; other languages sound noticeably less like you. To fix that, tap the voice and add a recording in that language.

What do story coins pay for? Narrating a story uses 10 story coins: up to 8 minutes of audio, either one story you write or one part of a book. Writing a story is free, and you can edit it or rewrite it up to 3 times. Listening again is always free, and changing the speed doesn't use extra story coins. Generating it again with another voice or in another language uses story coins again. Built-in voices use story coins the same way as your own voices. Picture books and comics use the number of story coins shown on their buttons. Every story coin used or returned is listed in Me → Story Coin history.

A story stopped halfway. Parts that are ready can be played. Tap Continue to finish it — this doesn't use more story coins. If it fails, or can't be finished within 72 hours because of a problem on our side, its story coins go back to your balance.

How do I make a picture book or comic? On a story's page, tap "Make a picture book" or "Make a comic", then choose a style. You can leave while it's painted; if notifications are on, we'll tell you when it's done. If a page can't be painted, its story coins go back to your balance. Books are kept for three years after you make them.

Why can't my picture book be painted? The illustration services won't draw characters from existing works (cartoons, films, books) or real people, most likely for copyright reasons. When that happens, the story coins go back to your balance. Write the story with characters of your own and it can be painted. After five books are turned down in one day, you can try again the next day.

Can I pause a picture book? Yes. Pages that have started painting finish and count; story coins for pages not started yet go back to your balance. The book stays on your shelf with the painted pages, and you can continue painting later.

What is a series? A series keeps the same main characters across stories. Touch and hold a story and tap "Start a series with this story", or start one at the end of a picture book. New stories in the series keep these characters, and the first picture book sets their look. Renaming a character changes the name in later stories; the look stays the same.

How do I change the language? The app's language follows your iPhone settings (Me → App language opens them). Me → Default story language is the language new stories and samples use; you can still pick another one for each story.

How do I read a book? Go to Bookshelf and scan pages, choose photos, import a PDF, EPUB or text file, or paste text. Text is recognised on your phone, and the book is split into parts of up to 8 minutes. Only the part you choose to hear is sent to be read aloud; a book's title and opening lines are sent to paint its cover.

What's in an exported audio file? Every exported file starts with a short spoken note that the voice is AI-generated, and carries a trace code in its file details.

How do I restore purchases? Sign in with the same account you bought with (Apple or Google), then go to Me → Subscribe (or Change or view subscription) → Restore purchases.

How do I cancel a subscription? In your iPhone Settings → your name → Subscriptions → DearlyStory. Deleting your DearlyStory account does not cancel it.

How do I delete my data? Delete a voice or a story in the app at any time. To delete everything: Me → Account settings → Delete account.

Someone used my voice without permission. Report it in the app (Me → Report a problem or misuse) or by email. Include the trace code if you have an exported file: it's in the file's details and looks like narration:…. While we look into it, the voice may be paused.