Support

Baby Buddy Companion is an unofficial, open-source native client for the self-hosted Baby Buddy server. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Baby Buddy project. This page covers the most common questions. If you’re still stuck, get in touch — we’re happy to help.

Getting started

Baby Buddy Companion is a free download on the App Store and needs a Baby Buddy server that you host — the app doesn’t store your data for you. Once your server is running:

1. In Baby Buddy on the web, open the User menu and choose Add a Device. It shows a login QR code.
2. In the app, tap Scan QR code and point your camera at that code. You’re signed in instantly.
3. No camera handy? Below the scanner, fill in Server URL and API token instead. Your token is on the server under User → Settings, and the app has a Paste button for it.

An http:// address is upgraded to https:// automatically.

Don’t have a server yet? See the Baby Buddy project for setup instructions.

Frequently asked questions

The app can’t connect to my server

• Make sure the server address is complete, including https:// (or http:// for a local server), and reachable from your phone’s network.
• If your server is only on your home network, connect your phone to the same network, or expose the server through a VPN or tunnel.
• A self-signed HTTPS certificate can block the connection — use a valid certificate (for example via a reverse proxy) or your server’s plain http:// address on a trusted network.

What can I track?

Everything the Baby Buddy API exposes: feedings, diaper changes, sleep, tummy time, pumping, notes, medications, and measurements — weight, height, head circumference, temperature and BMI. Records carry your server’s colour-coded tags, and notes and child profiles can hold photos.

Can I track more than one child?

Yes. Switch children from the dashboard or Settings, and the timeline, trends and widgets all follow the child you picked.

Does it work offline?

Yes. Every entry you make is saved on your device first, then synced to your server when you’re back online. If the same record is changed in two places, the app flags a conflict so you can choose Keep Mine, Keep Server, or merge field by field.

Anything still waiting to be sent is listed under Settings → Pending changes, and swiping one away reverts that record to the server’s last-known state.

What widgets are there?

Four, on the Home Screen: Quick start timer (feeding, sleep, tummy time or pumping), Active timer (live elapsed time with a one-tap Stop), Quick log (a complete diaper change — wet, solid, or both — or a one-tap feeding), and Child status (last fed, slept and changed, plus today’s counts).

Active timer and Child status also come as Lock Screen and StandBy accessories. Those are glanceable and tap-to-open — iOS doesn’t allow buttons in accessory widgets, so to stop a timer from the Lock Screen use the Live Activity.

Can I change what the Quick Log feeding button records?

Yes — Settings → Quick Log sets the feeding type and method it files (breast milk and both breasts out of the box).

How do I turn the Lock Screen timer on or off?

Settings → Notifications → Live Activity. It shows a running timer on the Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island, with Stop on the banner itself.

My data isn’t showing up on another device

Each device syncs with your server, not with us. Pull to refresh, confirm both devices point at the same server, and check that the first device has finished syncing (it will retry automatically when it has a connection).

The timeline doesn’t go back far enough

Sync keeps a rolling 30-day window so start-up stays fast. Load older activity at the foot of the timeline pages further back on demand, as far as your child’s birth.

Are any features paid or locked?

No. The complete app is free — every activity type, live timers, widgets, trends, photos and notes. There is no subscription, no trial, and no paywall.

What does the optional in-app purchase do?

It’s a tip jar. Settings → Baby Buddy App Supporter offers three one-time amounts — Kind ($4.99), Generous ($9.99) and Amazing ($19.99), charged in your own currency — and any of them simply marks you as a supporter and shows a thank-you. Nothing is unlocked, because nothing is withheld.

They are consumables, not a subscription: there’s nothing to cancel, and you can tip again whenever you like. Restore Purchases is on the same screen.

The money supports this companion app and its development. It does not go to the Baby Buddy open-source project — if you’d like to support that, see their repository.

Does the app include analytics?

Yes. The official App Store build uses TelemetryDeck for limited feature-use and coarse error telemetry, and RevenueCat for optional tip purchases and receipt tracking. Neither service receives your baby records, server address, or credentials. The Privacy Policy explains exactly what is sent.

How do I enable the Face ID lock?

Settings → Security → Require Face ID. It locks the app when you reopen it after it’s been in the background, and needs Face ID, Touch ID, or a device passcode set up first. Authentication is performed entirely by iOS — the app never sees your biometric data.

How do I delete my data?

Signing out (Settings → Sign out) clears your stored credentials, and deleting the app removes all locally cached data. Records on your server are managed through Baby Buddy itself.

Privacy and terms

Your baby’s data stays on your own server — see the Privacy Policy for exactly what the app does and doesn’t collect, and the Terms of Service for the fine print.

Contact

Questions, bug reports, or feature ideas are welcome:

• In the app: Settings → Contact Support. It offers to attach your device model, iOS version, and app version — which is the quickest way to get us what we need to reproduce a problem.
• Email: hello@babybuddy.app
• GitHub issues: https://github.com/kguy18/babybuddyios/issues

Please don’t include your server address, API token, or any of your child’s data in a public issue.