Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about AwareFlow™ — privacy, features, and how it all works.
Getting Started
What is AwareFlow?
AwareFlow is a privacy-first iOS app that helps you notice unconscious audible habits — like sniffing and throat clearing — using on-device machine learning. It's a complete awareness practice: real-time awareness, gentle nudges, pattern insights, a Reflection Journal, and a Response Toolkit. No audio is ever recorded, stored, or transmitted.
Who is AwareFlow for?
Anyone who wants to become more aware of their unconscious sounds — and the people who live with them. Whether you're working on a habit for yourself or supporting a partner affected by misophonia, AwareFlow creates space for awareness without shame.
How do I get started?
Download AwareFlow from the App Store, grant microphone access when prompted, and open the Detect tab. Tap the large button to begin your first awareness session. The app will guide you from there.
What devices does AwareFlow support?
AwareFlow requires an iPhone running iOS 26.3 or later. On-device AI coaching features require iOS 26+ with Apple Foundation Models support.
Can AwareFlow help my partner or family?
Yes. AwareFlow was designed for both people in the relationship. If your partner has misophonia — a strong sensitivity to specific sounds that can cause real distress — AwareFlow lets you notice your own habits privately, without them having to point it out. If they invite you into the journey by sharing a reflection or setting an intention together, the habit stops being a source of conflict and becomes something you navigate together. Read the founder's story for more.
What is misophonia?
Misophonia is a condition where specific sounds — like sniffing, chewing, or throat clearing — trigger strong emotional or physical responses. Research is ongoing and accelerating: a 2024 population-based study found that 78.5% of U.S. adults report some sound sensitivity, with 4.6% experiencing clinical levels of misophonia (Dixon et al., 2024). A 2026 study in the Annual Review of Clinical Psychology is actively exploring whether misophonia should be classified as an anxiety disorder (Rosenthal et al., 2026). For partners and family members living with misophonia, a loved one's unconscious sound can be a constant source of tension. AwareFlow helps both people: the person making the sound notices on their own, and the partner gets relief without having to be the one who points it out. AwareFlow is not a treatment for misophonia — if misophonia is affecting your quality of life, please consult a healthcare provider.
What languages does AwareFlow support?
AwareFlow is currently available in English. Sound detection models are language-independent — they recognize acoustic patterns like sniffing and throat clearing regardless of what language you speak. We are exploring localization for additional languages in future releases.
Is AwareFlow appropriate for children?
AwareFlow is not intended for children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
How It Works
How do I start and stop awareness?
Open the Detect tab and tap the large button to start listening. Tap again to stop. You can also adjust detection settings in More → Settings → Detection.
What habits can AwareFlow notice?
AwareFlow currently notices sniffing and throat clearing using personalized on-device sound recognition. Additional habits — including pen clicking, loud chewing, sighing, and foot tapping — are in development.
How does AwareFlow notice habits?
AwareFlow uses custom-trained CoreML sound classifiers running entirely on your device. Audio is processed in real time through Apple's AVAudioEngine, analyzed in memory, and immediately discarded. Nothing is ever recorded or stored. For more detail, visit How It Works.
What does the sensitivity slider do?
The sensitivity slider adjusts how easily AwareFlow notices a habit. Lower sensitivity reduces false positives (good for noisy environments). Higher sensitivity catches more subtle sounds (good for quiet settings). You can change it anytime in Settings → Detection → Sensitivity.
What is the Calibration Lab?
The Calibration Lab builds a personalized sound profile for your environment by measuring background noise and creating a spectral signature — a fingerprint of how your sounds appear in that specific space. You can calibrate for multiple locations and recalibrate anytime your surroundings change — a new workspace, a different season, or just a noisier day.
What contextual data does AwareFlow capture?
Each awareness moment is enriched with context — time of day, ambient noise level, weather conditions, and schedule density — so you can start to see why patterns show up when they do. For example, "Tuesday afternoons tend to be more active — meetings, maybe?" or "Dry air days show more throat clearing." All context stays on your device.
Does AwareFlow affect battery life?
AwareFlow's machine learning models are built on Apple's CoreML framework and use CPU-only inference for maximum efficiency — no GPU or Neural Engine wake-ups, and no network dependency. There's no background data transfer draining your battery.
Does AwareFlow work with AirPods or Bluetooth headsets?
Yes. AwareFlow supports multiple audio inputs including your built-in microphone, AirPods, and other Bluetooth devices. You can select your preferred input source in Settings → Detection → Audio Source.
Why do I see an orange dot at the top of my screen?
The orange indicator in the iOS status bar means an app is actively using your microphone. This is Apple's built-in privacy feature (introduced in iOS 14) to keep you informed. When AwareFlow is listening for habits, you'll see this dot — it confirms that real-time sound analysis is active. AwareFlow never records, stores, or transmits audio. The orange dot simply means the microphone is in use for on-device processing.
Does AwareFlow require an internet connection?
No. AwareFlow works entirely offline. All sound detection, pattern analysis, journaling, and insights happen on your device with no network dependency. An internet connection is only needed for optional features like iCloud sync, App Store subscription management, or checking for app updates.
Can AwareFlow listen in the background?
Yes. AwareFlow continues noticing habits in the background using Apple's background audio frameworks. When you start a session and switch to another app, awareness continues running on-device with a Live Activity on your Lock Screen so you can see your status at a glance. AwareFlow is also Focus-aware — it automatically pauses nudges when a system Focus mode is active — and power-aware, throttling intelligently during Low Power Mode.
Notifications & Nudges
How do notifications and nudges work?
When AwareFlow notices a habit, it sends a gentle notification or haptic vibration — visible only to you. These are called Intentions, not goals, because they can't be failed. You choose how, when, and how often you'd like to be nudged.
My notifications aren't showing up. What should I do?
Check Settings → Notifications → AwareFlow and ensure Allow Notifications is on. Also verify your Focus modes and Do Not Disturb aren't muting alerts. Then fully quit and relaunch the app.
Can I customize when nudges happen?
Yes. You can adjust notification preferences in the app settings, including sensitivity level, notification style (banners, sounds, haptic taps, or any combination), and muting during specific times or Focus modes. You can also set a cooldown period — a minimum time between nudges so you're never overwhelmed.
What are the different awareness styles?
AwareFlow offers five intention styles so you can match your practice to your day:
- Timed session — "I'll be present for 15 minutes." A focused window of awareness.
- Real-time awareness — "Gentle presence throughout my day." Continuous listening with nudges.
- Frequency-capped nudges — "Remind me, but not too often." A cooldown period prevents overwhelm.
- Passive observation — "Just notice quietly." The app listens and records patterns but doesn't nudge you.
- Mindful pause — "Invite me to check in at natural moments." The gentlest mode.
Privacy & Data
Does AwareFlow record my audio?
No. AwareFlow never records, stores, or transmits audio. Detection runs fully on-device via CoreML and AVAudioEngine. Raw audio is analyzed in memory and immediately discarded. We literally cannot hear you — the technology makes it impossible.
How is my data stored?
All data lives on your device using SwiftData. Session history, reflections, and settings are stored locally. Optional iCloud sync via CloudKit is available if you choose to enable it. No data is ever sent to external servers.
Is there any tracking or analytics?
No. AwareFlow contains zero advertising identifiers, no third-party analytics, no Firebase, and no external tracking of any kind. Production builds have zero detection-related console output.
Can anyone else see my data?
No. Your awareness data, reflections, and patterns are private to you. There are no social features, no leaderboards, and no data sharing. You can optionally share individual Reflection Journal entries with someone you trust — but only when you choose to.
What permissions does AwareFlow need?
All permissions are optional. iOS will ask before anything is used. Key permissions include:
- Microphone — recognizes sound patterns on device. No audio is recorded or transmitted.
- Notifications — supportive nudges you enable yourself; no marketing pushes.
- Bluetooth — only when connecting supported audio accessories like AirPods.
- Location (When In Use) — optional, for local weather and time context. Not stored or uploaded.
- Calendars — local context for timing nudges. Event contents stay on device.
- Motion — optional device context (e.g., pocket vs. desk) to improve awareness accuracy.
- Face ID — optional App Lock for secure, quick access to the app.
- Siri — optional shortcuts for quick actions.
Can I delete my data?
Yes. Go to Settings → Data & Privacy → Delete All Data to permanently remove all detection history, reflections, sessions, calibration profiles, and preferences from your device. You can also delete individual journal entries or sessions from within the app. Uninstalling the app removes all local data as well. If iCloud sync is enabled, you can manage synced data through your iCloud settings.
Can I lock the app with Face ID?
Yes. AwareFlow includes an optional Face ID App Lock for secure, quick access. Enable it in Settings → Data & Privacy → App Lock. When enabled, AwareFlow requires biometric authentication each time you return to the app — with automatic passcode fallback if Face ID is unavailable.
Can I export or download my data?
Yes. You can export your Reflection Journal entries and awareness history from within the app. AwareFlow supports your data portability rights under GDPR, CCPA, and similar privacy regulations. If you need a complete copy of your data or want to request deletion, contact us at [email protected]. Since all data lives on your device, you always have direct access to it.
How does iCloud sync work?
iCloud sync is optional and off by default. If you enable it, AwareFlow uses Apple's CloudKit to sync your session history, reflections, and settings across your devices. All synced data is encrypted in transit and at rest using Apple's iCloud security infrastructure. No raw audio is ever synced — only derived data like event counts, timestamps, and journal entries. You can disable iCloud sync at any time in the app settings, and manage or delete synced data through your iCloud account settings.
What does AwareFlow's App Store privacy label show?
AwareFlow's App Store privacy "nutrition label" reflects our on-device-by-default architecture. We do not collect data for tracking, advertising, or third-party analytics. The label shows only the minimal data categories relevant to app functionality and optional iCloud sync. You can view the full privacy label on our App Store listing.
Where can I read the full privacy policy?
Read the complete Privacy Policy and Confidentiality pages for full details.
Features
What is the Reflection Journal?
The Reflection Journal lets you browse past reflections grouped by day, search by feelings or notes, and share meaningful moments with someone you trust. It tells a story of growth — not a record of what went wrong.
What is the Response Toolkit?
When you notice an urge, the Response Toolkit offers gentle alternatives: breathing techniques, sensory exercises, and body-based responses. These are choices from your toolkit, not corrections.
What are Gentle Insights?
Gentle Insights show patterns, not scorecards. You'll see phrases like "more active than usual" instead of raw counts — context instead of judgment, direction instead of numbers.
What is the Learning Journey?
A structured series of lessons on the science and practice of building awareness — written in plain, warm language. No clinical terminology, no homework. Just understanding.
How do streaks work?
Your streak counts days you showed up — and showing up includes taking a break. Rest maintains your streak. There is no way to break it, because rest is part of the practice.
What is on-device AI coaching?
Powered by Apple Foundation Models (iOS 26+), AwareFlow generates personalized insights entirely on your device. No cloud processing, no data sharing — just private, context-aware guidance.
What device do I need for AI coaching features?
On-device AI coaching requires an iPhone 15 Pro or newer (A17 Pro chip or later) running iOS 26 or later, with Apple Intelligence enabled in your device settings. These features use Apple's on-device Foundation Models, which require the processing power of Apple's latest chips. Core AwareFlow features — detection, nudges, journaling, and insights — work on any supported iPhone running iOS 26.3+.
How does AwareFlow use Apple's Foundation Models responsibly?
AwareFlow follows Apple's Foundation Models acceptable-use guidelines. On-device AI is used only to generate supportive, non-clinical reflections and insights. It never provides medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment recommendations. All AI-generated content is clearly presented as reflective suggestions — not professional guidance. The models run entirely on your device with no data sent to Apple or any third party.
Does AwareFlow support Siri and Live Activities?
Yes. You can set up optional Siri shortcuts for quick actions like starting a session. AwareFlow also supports Live Activities for glanceable updates on your Lock Screen during active awareness sessions — no third-party access.
Can I share my reflections with my therapist or partner?
Yes. You can share individual Reflection Journal entries with someone you trust — a partner, a therapist, a friend — as simple, readable text via the iOS share sheet. Sharing is always your choice; nothing is shared automatically. While AwareFlow can complement a therapeutic relationship by giving your provider a window into your patterns and reflections, it is not a substitute for professional mental health care. Always follow your provider's guidance.
Subscriptions & Billing
What's included for free?
The free tier includes core habit awareness, calendar history, and privacy-first awareness tools. Premium unlocks advanced summaries, deeper insights, custom sensitivity tuning, and enhanced personalization. Prices vary by region — the App Store shows your exact price before confirming. See the Subscriptions page for full plan details.
Is there a free trial?
If offered, free trials convert to a paid plan unless canceled at least 24 hours before the trial ends. Any unused trial time may be forfeited when purchasing a subscription.
How do I manage or cancel my subscription?
Subscriptions are managed by Apple via your Apple ID. You can change or cancel anytime at Apple Subscriptions. Renewals occur automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the current period ends.
How do I request a refund?
Refund requests go through Apple at reportaproblem.apple.com.
Troubleshooting
Microphone not working?
Go to Settings → AwareFlow → Microphone and make sure it's enabled. Then fully quit and relaunch the app.
Sounds not being picked up accurately?
Try adjusting the sensitivity slider in Settings → Detection → Sensitivity. Lower sensitivity means fewer false positives; higher sensitivity catches more subtle sounds. You can also recalibrate in the Calibration Lab to tune detection to your current environment.
The app feels slow or unresponsive. What should I do?
Force quit AwareFlow and relaunch it. Make sure you're running the latest version from the App Store. If the issue persists, contact us at [email protected].
Accessibility
Does AwareFlow work with VoiceOver?
Yes. AwareFlow is built with full VoiceOver support. All buttons, controls, and screens include descriptive accessibility labels. The app's warm, non-clinical language — "pattern" instead of "symptom," "intention" instead of "goal" — carries through to every VoiceOver label, so the experience feels just as gentle when spoken aloud as when read on screen.
Does AwareFlow support Dynamic Type?
Yes. AwareFlow respects your system text-size preferences. If you increase text size in Settings → Accessibility → Display & Text Size, AwareFlow adjusts accordingly so everything remains readable at your preferred size.
What about Reduce Motion and other accessibility settings?
AwareFlow respects iOS accessibility settings including Reduce Motion, Reduce Transparency, and Bold Text. If you have Reduce Motion enabled, the app minimizes animations to keep the experience comfortable.
Can deaf or hard-of-hearing users use AwareFlow?
AwareFlow's core detection relies on the device microphone to notice audible habits, so users who are deaf or hard of hearing may not benefit from the real-time sound detection features. However, the Reflection Journal, Learning Journey, Gentle Insights, and Response Toolkit are fully accessible and can be used independently as awareness and self-reflection tools.
The AwareFlow Philosophy
What does "awareness, not correction" mean?
AwareFlow is built on the belief that awareness built through curiosity heals, while surveillance built on shame harms. Noticing is the practice. Reduction may follow naturally, but it's a side effect of awareness — not the intention. The app is a mirror, not a judge.
What research is AwareFlow based on?
AwareFlow's design is informed by published peer-reviewed research in three areas — but AwareFlow itself is not a clinical intervention and should never replace anything a healthcare provider recommends:
- Habit Reversal Training (HRT) — a well-established behavioral intervention for repetitive behaviors. A meta-analysis of 18 studies found HRT produced large effect sizes (d = 0.80) across tics, habit disorders, and other repetitive behaviors (Bate et al., 2011). A 2026 real-world study of 1,071 patients confirmed effectiveness via video-delivered HRT (Thomson et al., 2026, J Clin Psychiatry).
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) — a therapeutic model focused on psychological flexibility rather than eliminating unwanted behaviors. A meta-analysis of 39 RCTs found ACT outperformed control conditions (Hedges' g = 0.57) across mental and physical health problems (A-Tjak et al., 2015). A 2026 meta-analysis examined optimal ACT dosing for psychological distress (Khazaie et al., 2026).
- Trauma-informed design — guided by SAMHSA's six principles of safety, trustworthiness, peer support, collaboration, empowerment, and cultural sensitivity. A 2025 scoping review examined how these principles are applied in digital technology design (Eggleston et al., 2025, SAGE Digital Health).
Why "intentions" instead of "goals"?
Goals can be failed. Intentions can't. AwareFlow uses the word intention because it reflects a direction you're moving in — not a benchmark you're measured against. Learn more on the Intentions page.
Why does AwareFlow avoid clinical language?
Language carries weight. AwareFlow deliberately says pattern instead of "symptom," moment instead of "incident," and intention instead of "goal." We never ask you to "log your symptoms" — we ask, "How are you feeling?" This isn't just style; it's a design principle rooted in trauma-informed care. Clinical framing can create shame and distance. Warm, curious language invites awareness without judgment.
Can AwareFlow help with BFRBs or tics?
Body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) — such as hair pulling, skin picking, nail biting, and cheek chewing — affect an estimated 5–12% of adults (Houghton et al., 2018; Okumus et al., 2023). AwareFlow focuses on audible habits like sniffing and throat clearing, but its awareness-based approach is informed by the same Habit Reversal Training (HRT) principles used in BFRB treatment. AwareFlow is not a medical device and does not diagnose, treat, or manage any medical or mental-health condition. If you are navigating BFRBs, tics, or other repetitive behaviors, please work with a qualified healthcare provider. AwareFlow may serve as a personal awareness companion alongside professional care — but it should never replace it.
Is AwareFlow patent-protected?
Yes. AwareFlow's core technology is covered by U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/924,802, filed November 25, 2025. The patent covers four pillars: on-device detection, personalized calibration, contextual metadata enrichment, and an on-device insights engine.
Medical & Safety Information
Is AwareFlow a medical device or medical app?
No. AwareFlow is a personal-awareness and habit-reflection tool. It is not a medical device, not a therapeutic tool, and not a health app in the clinical sense. It does not provide medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical or mental-health condition. AwareFlow should never replace anything a healthcare provider recommends — including medication, therapy, behavioral interventions, or any other professional treatment plan. If you have concerns about your health or wellbeing, please seek appropriate professional help. See our Terms of Use and Confidentiality pages for more.
Can AwareFlow replace therapy?
No. AwareFlow can complement a therapeutic relationship — for example, you can share Reflection Journal entries with your therapist — but it is not a substitute for professional mental health care. If you're working with a clinician on repetitive behaviors, BFRBs, or tics, AwareFlow may be a helpful companion tool, but always follow your provider's guidance.
Is AwareFlow regulated as a health or medical device?
No. AwareFlow is not a regulated medical device in any jurisdiction. It is not classified as a medical device under FDA, EU MDR, or equivalent frameworks. AwareFlow is listed in the App Store's Health & Fitness category as a personal-awareness tool — not as a clinical or diagnostic application. It does not make health claims, does not interface with medical devices, and does not require regulatory clearance. Our compliance posture reflects this: no ad SDKs, no cross-app tracking, no server-side audio, and an Apple Privacy Manifest that reflects an "on-device by default" stance. For details on our research ambitions (which are separate from the consumer product), see the Research & Roadmap page.
I'm in crisis or having thoughts of self-harm. Can AwareFlow help?
AwareFlow is not a crisis tool. If you or someone you know is in crisis or considering self-harm, please contact emergency services or reach out to one of these resources immediately:
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988 (U.S.)
- Crisis Text Line — text HOME to 741741 (U.S.)
- International Association for Suicide Prevention — find a crisis center
References
AwareFlow's design is informed by published peer-reviewed research, but AwareFlow itself is not a clinical tool. These references are provided for transparency — not as evidence that AwareFlow treats any condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical or mental-health concerns.
- Rosenthal, M. Z., Shan, Y., & Hanna, M. (2026). Misophonia is a newly defined disorder, but is it an anxiety disorder? Annual Review of Clinical Psychology. PubMed
- Freshley, A., Clark, H. L., Schadegg, M. J., & Dixon, L. J. (2026). Clinical correlates of individuals with and without misophonia in the U.S. Psychiatry Research. PubMed
- Thomson, S. et al. (2026). Therapist-delivered video therapy habit reversal training for body-focused repetitive behaviors. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 87(1), 25m15834.
- Khazaie, H. et al. (2026). Optimal and minimal doses of acceptance and commitment therapy to improve psychological distress. Administration and Policy in Mental Health. Springer
- Eggleston, M. et al. (2025). A scoping review of trauma-informed care principles applied in design and technology. SAGE Digital Health. DOI
- Dixon, L. J. et al. (2024). Prevalence, phenomenology, and impact of misophonia in a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. Journal of Abnormal Psychology. PubMed
- Levin, M. E., Krafft, J., & Twohig, M. P. (2024). An overview of research on acceptance and commitment therapy. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. PubMed
- Rahman, L., Jafferany, M., & Barkauskaite, G. (2023). Habit-reversal training: a psychotherapeutic approach in treating body-focused repetitive behaviour disorders. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology. PubMed
- Okumus, E. et al. (2023). Body-focused repetitive behavior disorders: behavioral models and neurobiological mechanisms. Psychiatry and Clinical Psychopharmacology. PubMed
- Ferrer-Torres, A. & Giménez-Llort, L. (2022). Misophonia: a systematic review of current and future trends in this emerging clinical field. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(11), 6790. PMC
- Houghton, D. C. et al. (2018). Body-focused repetitive behaviors: more prevalent than once thought? Comprehensive Psychiatry, 87, 60–65. PubMed
- A-Tjak, J. G. L. et al. (2015). A meta-analysis of the efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy for clinically relevant mental and physical health problems. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 84(1), 30–36. PubMed
- Bate, K. S. et al. (2011). The efficacy of habit reversal therapy for tics, habit disorders, and stuttering: a meta-analytic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 31(5), 865–871. PubMed
- SAMHSA. (2014). SAMHSA's concept of trauma and guidance for a trauma-informed approach. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 14-4884.
Still Have Questions?
We're here to help — no runaround, just real answers from real people.