BalanceMeal Support

Contact Us

Response Time: We typically respond within 24-48 hours

When contacting support, please include:

Your device model and iOS version
A description of the issue
Steps to reproduce the problem
Screenshots if relevant

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need an OpenAI API key?

BalanceMeal uses OpenAI's advanced AI models to analyze meals, calculate calories, and generate personalized diet plans. By using your own API key, you have:

Complete control over your data
Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
Direct access to OpenAI's latest models
No subscription costs to us

How do I get an OpenAI API key?

Go to platform.openai.com
Create an account or sign in
Navigate to API Keys section
Click "Create new secret key"
Copy the key and paste it into BalanceMeal's OpenAI Settings

How much does OpenAI API usage cost?

Costs depend on which model you choose and how often you use AI features:

GPT-3.5 Turbo: ~$0.01-0.02 per meal analysis
GPT-4o Mini: ~$0.02-0.03 per meal analysis
GPT-4o: ~$0.05-0.10 per meal analysis

Typical monthly usage: $5-15 for regular tracking

Can the app work without an API key?

Yes, but with limited functionality. Without an API key:

You can manually enter calorie values
Track meals, activities, and weight
View weekly statistics

You cannot:

Analyze meals from photos or text
Generate personalized diet plans
Create daily menus

Why aren't my meal photos being analyzed?

Photo analysis requires a vision-capable model. Make sure you're using:

GPT-4 Turbo
GPT-4o
GPT-4o Mini

GPT-3.5 Turbo and standard GPT-4 do not support image analysis.

Is my data private?

Yes, absolutely. All your data is stored locally on your device. The only data sent externally is to OpenAI for meal analysis and plan generation, using your own API key. We never see or store your personal information, meals, or health data.

Do I need to complete the questionnaire?

The questionnaire is optional but highly recommended. Without it, the app works as a basic tracker. With it, you get:

Personalized calorie targets based on your goals
Custom macro distribution
Diet plans that respect your preferences and restrictions
Context-aware daily menus

How do diet plans work?

BalanceMeal uses a two-tier system:

Diet Plan: A 30-day nutritional framework with your calorie targets and macro distribution
Daily Menu: Specific meal suggestions generated daily based on your diet plan and meal history

This ensures consistent nutrition while providing variety.

Can I edit past entries?

Yes! Go to the History tab, tap on any day, and you can edit or delete meals, activities, and weight entries. You can also add new entries to past days.

Why are calorie counts different when I recalculate?

AI models provide estimates based on the information available. Variations can occur due to:

Photo quality and angle
Description detail level
Model interpretation
Portion size estimation

For best results, provide both a clear photo and detailed description.

Common Issues

"Invalid API Key" Error

Solutions:

Make sure you copied the entire key with no extra spaces
Check that your OpenAI account has billing enabled
Verify the key hasn't expired or been revoked
Try generating a new key from OpenAI platform

App Crashes When Taking Photos

Ensure you've granted camera permissions:

Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera
Find BalanceMeal and enable it
Restart the app

Daily Menu Not Generating

Check that:

You have a valid API key entered
You've completed the questionnaire
You have an active internet connection
Your OpenAI account has available credits

Photos Not Saving

Grant photo library access:

Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Photos
Find BalanceMeal and set to "Add Photos Only" or "Full Access"

System Requirements

iOS Version: 26.0 or later
Internet: Required for AI features
Storage: Varies based on number of photos stored
OpenAI Account: Required for full functionality