Answers
Frequently asked
questions
Short answers. For a walkthrough, see the beginner guide.
AI & keys
- Do I need an API key?
- For real AI logging, yes — OpenRouter sign-in, or a key for Gemini / OpenAI / Ollama Cloud. Local Ollama needs a reachable URL. Without a provider, the offline simulator still demos the UI.
- Which provider should I pick?
- OpenRouter is easiest for free vision models. Gemini if you have a Google AI Studio key. Ollama for local / LAN. OpenAI for direct gpt-4o access (paid).
- What does Auto failover do?
- On failure it tries other keys/models on the same provider — it never jumps platforms for you.
Region
- What does the region pack do?
- It personalises AI prompts, staple references, portion language, and food-log examples. Only the active pack is used — packs aren’t merged. Change it anytime under Settings → Preferences.
- Can I request a region that isn’t listed?
- Yes, from the region picker (with crash reporting enabled). One anonymous request per install; no meals, photos, or API keys are included.
Logging & accuracy
- How accurate are calorie estimates?
- They’re model estimates, not lab measurements — especially for mixed plates. Always review weights. Weigh ingredients when precision matters.
- How are calorie and macro targets calculated?
- FitBuddy calculates adult target candidates deterministically on-device from your profile, activity, and goal. Consistent body and food history may support one bounded adjustment; optional AI can only select an exact local candidate. Read the full health target methodology.
- Can I edit a meal or workout later?
- Yes. Open it from the day log. Meals support live macro rescale; workouts support sets/reps/weight and AI session names.
- Barcode not found?
- Lookups use Open Food Facts after on-device decode. Regional products may be missing — describe the food instead.
- What does “Monthly” mean on Progress?
- A rolling 30-day window ending on the day you select — not a calendar month.
Reminders
- How do daily reminders work?
- Settings → Daily log reminder. Allow notifications; for timely delivery also allow Alarms & reminders.
Backups
- Is cloud backup encrypted?
- Yes — AES-256-GCM on-device before upload. See Encryption.
- I forgot my backup password
- There is no recovery. That’s the point of zero-knowledge encryption. Keep a copy of the password somewhere safe.
Updates
- F-Droid vs GitHub APK?
- Same codebase, different signing keys. Don’t install one over the other expecting a seamless update — pick a channel and stay on it.
- How do GitHub updates work?
- Update checks open the APK download in your browser. FitBuddy does not sideload installers itself.