Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
What is BusyHive?
BusyHive is an offline-first chore and allowance tracking app designed for families. Kids can mark chores as complete with photo proof, and parents can approve completions and manage allowances—all on one shared iPad.
What devices does it work on?
BusyHive is optimized for iPad (iOS 16.0 or later). While it technically runs on iPhone, we designed it for the larger iPad screen that the whole family can share.
How much does it cost?
BusyHive is free to download with core features available at no cost. We may introduce optional premium features in the future, but the basic chore and allowance tracking will always be free.
Setup & Getting Started
Do I need to create an account?
No! That's one of the best parts. No accounts, no emails, no passwords to remember. Just download the app and start using it immediately.
How do I set up the parent PIN?
When you first open BusyHive, you'll be prompted to create a 4-digit PIN. This PIN protects settings, allowance approvals, and other parent-only features. Don't forget it—there's no password reset!
How many kids can I add?
You can add as many kids as you need. Most families have 2-5 kids in the app, but there's no hard limit.
Using the App
How does the photo proof feature work?
When a child completes a chore, they can take a photo to show their work (cleaned room, folded laundry, etc.). Parents review the photo before approving the chore and crediting allowance. Photos are stored locally on your device.
What are cooldowns?
Cooldowns prevent kids from doing the same chore multiple times in one day. For example, you can set "water plants" to have a 1-day cooldown so kids can't water them three times for triple allowance. Smart!
Can I use BusyHive on multiple devices?
Each installation of BusyHive stores data locally, so different devices won't sync automatically. We designed it for one shared family iPad. If you want to move data between devices, use the export/import feature.
Does it work offline?
Yes! BusyHive works 100% offline. No internet connection required, ever. This means no sync bugs, no cloud outages, and no waiting for things to load.
Data & Privacy
Where is my data stored?
All data is stored locally on your iPad using iOS's secure storage. Nothing is uploaded to the cloud or any servers. Your data stays on your device, period.
How do I back up my data?
Go to Settings (parent PIN required) and tap "Export Data." This creates a JSON file you can save to Files, email to yourself, or back up however you like. You can also import this file later to restore your data.
Can you recover my data if I lose my device?
Unfortunately, no. Since we don't store your data on our servers, we can't recover it if your device is lost or reset. This is why we strongly recommend exporting your data regularly as a backup.
Is BusyHive safe for kids?
Yes! We take kids' privacy seriously. No data is collected, no accounts are created, and kids can't access settings or make changes without the parent PIN. We comply with COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act).
Troubleshooting
I forgot my parent PIN. What do I do?
Unfortunately, there's no way to reset a forgotten PIN (since we don't have accounts or store your data). If you absolutely can't remember it, you'll need to uninstall and reinstall the app, which will clear all data. This is why we recommend backing up regularly!
The app crashed or isn't working. What should I do?
First, try force-closing the app and reopening it. If that doesn't work, restart your iPad. If problems persist, check the App Store for updates. Still having issues? Contact us at support@busyhive.caritos.com with details about what happened.
Photos aren't saving. Help!
Make sure BusyHive has permission to access your camera. Go to iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera, and ensure BusyHive is enabled. If you're running low on storage, that can also prevent photos from saving.
Still Have Questions?
We're here to help! Email us at support@busyhive.caritos.com and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.