Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions about MealRhythm
Getting Started
What is MealRhythm?
MealRhythm is a family meal planning app that helps you organize recipes, schedule meals, and collaborate with family members. It features AI-powered meal suggestions, a beautiful recipe library, and flexible calendar and list views for planning your week.
How do I get started?
Download MealRhythm from the App Store, sign in with Apple Sign In, and create your family. You'll receive a unique family code to share with family members. Start adding recipes and scheduling meals right away.
Do I need an account?
Yes, MealRhythm uses Apple Sign In for secure authentication. This ensures your data is protected and synced across your devices without requiring a separate password.
Family Sharing
What is a family code?
A family code is a short, unique code (like Y00KQQ) that you share with family members so they can join your MealRhythm space. Everyone in the family can see shared recipes and meal plans.
How do I invite family members?
In the app, go to the Family tab and tap the Share button next to your family code. This opens the iOS share sheet where you can send the invite link via WhatsApp, Messages, Email, or any other app.
The invite link looks like https://mealrhythm.app/f/YOURCODE. When family members tap the link on their iPhone, it automatically opens MealRhythm with the family code pre-filled—they just need to tap "Join"!
Alternatively, family members can manually enter the 6-character code in the Family tab → Join Family.
Can I be in multiple families?
Not at the same time. You can leave your current family and join another whenever you want. Your private recipes will stay with you, but family recipes remain with the family you're leaving.
Can I leave or switch families?
Yes! Go to the Family tab, tap your family name, and select "Leave Family" (if you're not the creator). You can then join a different family or create your own.
What happens if I'm the family creator?
As the family creator (admin), you can't leave the family without deleting it. If you want to transfer ownership, contact support for assistance.
Pricing & Premium Features
Is MealRhythm free?
Yes! MealRhythm offers core features for free, including recipe management, meal planning, and AI suggestions for individual use. Family Sharing features require a premium subscription for real-time sync and collaboration across family members.
What does premium include?
Premium unlocks Family Sharing with real-time sync, shared recipe library, collaborative meal planning, and unlimited family members. Premium is purchased through Apple In-App Purchase with a simple monthly or yearly subscription.
How do I subscribe to premium?
Open the app, go to Settings, and tap "Family Sharing" under the Premium section. Choose your subscription plan and complete the purchase through Apple's secure payment system.
How do I cancel my subscription?
Manage your subscription in iOS Settings → Your Name → Subscriptions → MealRhythm. You can cancel anytime, and you'll retain premium access until the end of your billing period.
Can I get a refund?
Refund requests are handled by Apple according to their refund policy. Contact Apple Support or request a refund through your Apple ID account.
Recipes & Meal Planning
How do I add recipes?
Tap the Recipes tab, then tap the + button. Add a title, cooking time, and photo. Toggle "Family" to share with your family, or keep it private for personal use only.
Can I add photos to my recipes?
Yes! Photos make your recipe library beautiful and help you quickly identify meals. Tap the photo area when creating or editing a recipe to add an image from your photo library or camera.
What's the difference between family and private recipes?
Family recipes are shared with all members of your family and appear in everyone's recipe library. Private recipes are visible only to you, perfect for personal favorites or recipes you're experimenting with.
How do I schedule meals?
Go to the Schedule tab and tap the + button. Select a recipe, choose the date and time, and save. Your meal will appear in both the calendar and list views.
Can I edit or delete recipes?
Yes! Tap a recipe to edit its details, or swipe left on a recipe in the list to delete it. Note that deleting a family recipe will remove it for all family members.
What are the calendar and list views?
MealRhythm offers two ways to view your meal schedule: a visual calendar view showing meals across the month, and a list view showing meals organized by day. Toggle between them using the icon in the top right of the Schedule tab.
AI Suggestions
How do AI suggestions work?
MealRhythm's AI analyzes your cooking history and preferences to suggest meals you'll love. You'll see personalized recommendations with helpful badges like "Never cooked before" for variety or "Often eaten on this day" for favorites.
Why am I not seeing suggestions?
AI suggestions improve as you use the app. Start by adding recipes and logging a few meals. The more you cook, the better the suggestions become.
How do I use a suggested recipe?
On the Suggest tab, tap "Cook This" on any suggested recipe to add it to your schedule. You can select the date and time, then save it to your meal plan.
Privacy & Security
Is my data private?
Yes! We take privacy seriously. Your data is encrypted, securely stored, and only shared with family members you explicitly invite. We don't sell your data, show ads, or track you across other sites. See our Privacy Policy for complete details.
What is Apple Sign In?
Apple Sign In is a secure authentication method that doesn't require a separate password. Your Apple ID provides secure access to MealRhythm without sharing your email address with us (unless you choose to).
Can I enable extra security features?
Yes! Go to Settings → App Lock to enable Face ID or Touch ID protection. This adds an extra layer of security when opening the app.
Technical & Troubleshooting
What devices are supported?
MealRhythm requires iOS 17.0 or later and is currently available for iPhone devices. iPad support is on our roadmap; stay tuned.
Is there an Android app?
Not at this time. We're focused on delivering the best iOS experience. The website works well on modern mobile browsers for viewing information.
The family join link didn't open the app. What can I try?
Make sure the app is installed and updated to the latest version. If the link opens Safari instead, copy the family code and paste it into the app's Family tab. You can also try the deep link format: mealrhythm://join?code=YOURCODE
My meals aren't syncing with family members. What should I do?
Check that you have an active premium subscription and are connected to the internet. Go to Settings → Premium → Restore Purchases to refresh your subscription status. If the issue persists, try signing out and back in.
The app is crashing or freezing. How can I fix it?
Force close the app by swiping up from the bottom of your screen (or double-clicking the home button on older devices) and swiping MealRhythm away. Reopen the app. If the issue persists, restart your device or reinstall the app. Your data is safely stored on our servers.
Does MealRhythm work offline?
You can view your recipes and meal plans offline, but syncing with family members and receiving AI suggestions require an internet connection.
Still Have Questions?
Can't find what you're looking for? We're here to help!
For detailed guides and troubleshooting, check out our Support page. We typically respond to emails within 24-48 hours during business days.