Help & FAQ: Data Storage, Moving Phones, Cancelling
These are the questions we get asked most. If your answer is not here, just email us — we read everything.
Getting started
How do I add my first item?
Open the app and tap "Scan to add" on the home screen, then point at the item and press the shutter. The name, category, expiry date and price are filled in for you — confirm and it is filed. You can also use "Manual entry" to type it yourself, or "Scan barcode" for packaged goods.
How should I set up locations?
On the Places screen, tap the plus button and create a few rooms first (Kitchen, Living room, Bedroom). Under each room you can add furniture (Fridge, Bookshelf, Wardrobe), and under furniture you can add containers (storage box, suitcase). Three levels is enough — there is no need to map everything out in detail up front.
I have a lot of stuff. Adding it one by one is too slow.
Two options. First, shoot several photos in a row: a batch can be queued and recognised in the background, and you only confirm each one. Second, use the Daily Summary and just say "ate two bananas, drank a carton of milk" — stock levels are deducted for you.
Data and sync
Where is my data stored?
On your device by default. You can turn on iCloud sync in settings, after which your data goes into your own private iCloud database, which we cannot access. The app contains no third-party analytics or advertising SDKs.
I am moving to a new phone. How do I bring my data?
Sign in with the same Apple ID on the new phone, install AllMyThings, and turn on iCloud sync in settings. Your data will sync across. This requires that sync was already enabled on your old phone.
How do I back up my data?
Go to Settings → Data Export to export your item data as an Excel spreadsheet. It is worth exporting important data periodically.
Alerts
I am not getting notifications.
Check three things in order: whether iOS Settings → Notifications → AllMyThings allows notifications; whether the notification toggle in the app settings is on; and whether your reminder time falls in a window when you do not look at your phone. Alerts are generated locally on your device and need no connection.
What is a "threshold"?
A quantity level you set for anything consumable. When stock drops to or below that level, the item appears under "Low stock" on the home screen so you can restock in time. Only consumables, healthcare items and pet supplies take part in restock alerts.
AI recognition
Does it work without a connection?
Yes. The on-device recognition model ships with the app, so you can identify and file items offline — unlimited and free forever. Cloud recognition is more accurate when you are online, and the app falls back to on-device automatically if the cloud is unavailable.
Recognition is not accurate. What can I do?
Try to fill the frame with the item, use good lighting, and avoid glare on packaging. Every field in the result can be edited by hand before you save. If a particular category keeps coming out wrong, add the names you use to the custom dictionary and results will improve over time.
Subscriptions
How do I cancel a subscription?
Manage it in Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions on your iPhone; you can cancel at any time. After cancelling, Pro access continues until the last day of the paid period and then stops renewing.
I changed phones. Do I still have Pro?
Yes. As long as you use the same Apple ID, tap "Restore Purchases" in the app to bring back your entitlements.
When do free allowances reset?
They reset each calendar month, on the 1st. Unused allowances do not roll over. On-device recognition does not use the allowance at all — it is unlimited and free forever.
Still stuck?
Email us with your device model, OS version and app version — it helps us diagnose much faster.
zhongliujian@gmail.com