Thanks for using BuddyBall. This page collects the most common questions, Pro in-app-purchase guidance, system permission notes, and the feedback channel. If you need a human, just email us.
📮 Contact us
Email: sanrenyan@gmail.com
Response time: usually within 24 hours, at most 15 business days
To help us investigate quickly, please include: device model (e.g. iPhone 15 Pro), iOS version, BuddyBall version (Settings → About), a description of the issue, and screenshots if possible
1. Getting Started
1.1 System requirements
iPhone (iOS 17.0 or later; Live Activities and the Dynamic Island require iPhone 14 Pro or newer)
Home screen widgets and StandBy require the corresponding iOS versions
BuddyBall requires no account and no internet connection for core companion features (except the Pro in-app purchase — see 3.1)
1.2 Adding a home screen widget
Long-press an empty area on your iPhone home screen to enter edit mode
Tap the "+" in the top-left corner and search for "BuddyBall"
Pick a widget size and tap "Add Widget"
1.3 Enabling Live Activities / Dynamic Island
No manual setup is needed — once you start a focus or sleep session inside BuddyBall, the Live Activity appears on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island automatically. If it doesn't:
iOS Settings → Focus (Do Not Disturb / Sleep / Work) → check whether BuddyBall is silenced
Reminders are local notifications scheduled on-device and never routed through a server; they may not fire if the device is powered off or the system clock is wrong
My focus / sleep records disappeared
All records live only on your device. Please check:
Did you switch character balls? Records are stored per ballId and shown independently
Did you uninstall BuddyBall? Uninstalling permanently deletes everything in the app sandbox, and it cannot be recovered
If the device was factory-reset or had a system failure, local data may be gone — we cannot restore it remotely
Widget / Dynamic Island data looks out of sync
Widgets and the main App share data through an App Group container. If they drift:
Pull down on the home screen to refresh widgets (they reload their timeline)
Open the BuddyBall main App once to trigger a sync
If it's still wrong, remove the widget and add it back
3. Pro In-App Purchase
3.1 What is Pro?
BuddyBall follows a freemium model: the core companion features (character balls, focus, sleep, home screen widgets, Live Activities, StandBy, local reminders, 14 free soundscapes, and more) are free forever. Pro is an optional one-time unlock for these advanced features:
The white-noise mixer (multi-track layering, per-track volume, "My Soundscapes" presets)
27 Pro soundscapes (distant thunder, cave drips, fireplace, temple bowls, airplane cabin, train, and more)
Ambient scene packs (forest, seaside, aurora, starry sky, rainy night, cherry blossoms, and more)
Additional character balls and evolution forms
Enhanced annual review dimensions
No subscription, no advertising. Buy once, own it forever.
3.2 How do I purchase Pro?
Open BuddyBall → Settings → "Unlock Pro"; or tap any PRO badge in the mixer / scene pack / Pro character entries
The Paywall shows the price and what will be unlocked; tap "Buy" to enter the Apple payment sheet
Payment is handled by App Store / StoreKit directly — we never touch your payment information
Pro entitlement takes effect immediately after purchase; widgets and Live Activities sync automatically
If you switch devices, reinstall the App, or sign in with a different Apple ID:
Make sure the device is signed in to the same Apple account used at purchase (iOS Settings → your name at the top → Apple ID)
Open BuddyBall → Settings → "Unlock Pro" → tap "Restore Purchases"
The App syncs transactions with the App Store; once restored, Pro entitlement takes effect immediately
3.4 Family Sharing
The Pro product is enabled for Apple Family Sharing. Once sharing is on, members of the same Family Sharing group can use Pro on their own devices without purchasing again. See Apple's Family Sharing documentation.
3.5 Refunds
Refunds are handled solely by Apple — we cannot process them directly. To request one:
Find the "BuddyBall Pro" transaction → "Request a Refund" → pick a reason and submit
If Apple approves, the refund is issued to the original payment method; your in-app Pro entitlement is automatically revoked (synced on next launch or restore)
You can still use every free feature and all existing data after a refund
3.6 I paid but didn't get Pro
First try "Restore Purchases" (see 3.3)
Confirm the Apple ID matches the one used at purchase
Check iOS Settings → App Store → "In-App Purchases & Subscriptions" isn't blocked by Screen Time
If it still doesn't restore, email us with your Apple transaction receipt (viewable at reportaproblem.apple.com)
4. Privacy & Data
4.1 What data does BuddyBall collect?
None. All records (focus / sleep / achievements / affection / settings / widget shared data) live only on your device (app sandbox and App Group container). We never access, upload, or transmit them. See the Privacy Policy for details.
4.2 Does BuddyBall need an internet connection?
Core companion features work fully offline and make no network requests to any server of our own. The system StoreKit talks to the App Store directly only for:
The one-time Pro purchase and payment
"Restore Purchases" transaction sync
Family Sharing entitlement verification
StoreKit traffic is handled between iOS and Apple; transaction data never passes through any server of ours, and we do not obtain your Apple ID, payment method, or other account information through it.
4.3 How do I delete my data?
Delete a single record: swipe left or tap delete in the focus / sleep history
Wipe everything: uninstall BuddyBall to permanently delete all data in the app sandbox — this cannot be undone
Since we hold no server-side data, you never need to submit a deletion request to us
4.4 What system permissions does BuddyBall use?
Permission
Purpose
Required?
Notifications
Bedtime reminders and focus-completion reminders
Optional (reminders won't fire if off)
Background audio
Keep white noise playing while the screen is locked or the App is backgrounded
Optional (used only while you actively start sleep companion)
Motion & Fitness (accelerometer)
The "shake for a surprise" interaction
Optional (shake won't trigger if off)
App Group container
Sync the current ball and in-progress sessions between the main App and widgets / Live Activities
System capability; no external transmission
BuddyBall does not request or use sensitive permissions such as camera, microphone, location, or contacts.
5. Uninstall & Reinstall
Uninstall: long-press the BuddyBall icon → Remove App → Delete. This permanently deletes every piece of data in the app sandbox (records / settings / affection / etc.) and it cannot be recovered
Reinstall: download again from the App Store. If you previously purchased Pro, sign in with the same Apple account and use "Restore Purchases" (see 3.3)
iCloud backup: BuddyBall data follows the standard iOS backup policy; it is restored along with the rest of your device