I Am Sober FAQ

Account & login

How do I reset my password?

  1. After you've entered your email on the login screen, tap Forgot Password.
  2. Tap the button to send a confirmation code.
  3. Check your inbox for a message containing a 6-digit reset code.
  4. Enter the code along with your new password (minimum 8 characters).
  5. Sign in with your new password.

If you don't receive the email, check your spam folder or any other inbox tabs. The email comes from our system, not from a personal address.

I keep getting logged out / can't stay signed in

It's possible that your session simply expired. Try these steps:

  1. Sign in again with your email and password (or Apple Sign-In if that's how you created your account).
  2. If you forgot your password, tap the Forgot link to reset it.
  3. If the problem persists, submit a debug report from Settings > About > Debug Report so our team can investigate.

If you are still unable to sign in, your account might have been locked or banned.

I can't get back into my account / I lost access to my email

If you're locked out, work through these in order:

  1. Double-check that the email shown in the app is spelled correctly. A small typo (like "gamil.com" instead of "gmail.com") means reset emails can never reach you.
  2. Use Forgot Password to request a reset code, and check your spam folder or any other inbox tabs.
  3. If you signed up with Apple Sign-In, use that same option rather than email and password.

If you no longer have access to the email on your account and can't reset your password, contact us at support@iamsober.com from the email you'd like to use going forward. Include any details that identify your account (roughly when you started, the addictions you track, or your username) so we can help you recover it.

I am not receiving an email from you, what can I do?

  1. Make sure the email address displayed in the app is your correct email address and is spelled correctly. A typo means the email can never reach you.
  2. Give it a couple of minutes to show up.
  3. Check your spam folder or any other inbox tabs to make sure it didn't show up there.

How do I change my email address or username?

Go to Settings > Account. From there you can update your email address or username. You'll need to verify your new email after changing it.

How do I verify my email?

After signing up or changing your email, we'll send a verification link to your inbox. Tap the link and the app will automatically detect that your email has been verified.

If you don't see the email, check your spam folder or any other inbox tabs.

Can I sign in with Google?

Currently we support sign-in with email and password or Apple Sign-In (iOS only). Google Sign-In is not available at this time.

How do I lock or hide the app so others can't see it?

Both iOS and Android have built-in ways to lock or hide apps:

  • iOS: Touch and hold the I Am Sober app icon, then tap Require Face ID (or Touch ID or Passcode). The app will require authentication each time you open it. You can also choose Hide and Require Face ID to remove it from your home screen entirely. See Apple's guide for more details.
  • Android: I Am Sober has a built-in lock. Go to Settings > Privacy > Locked access in the app to set a passcode, and optionally enable biometrics (fingerprint or face unlock). You'll be asked to authenticate each time the app opens. You can also use Android's Private Space (Android 15+) to keep the app in a separate, locked area of your device via Settings > Security & privacy > Private space; note that apps in Private Space won't send notifications while locked. See Google's guide for more details.

Subscription & Sober Plus

What features are included with Sober Plus?

Sober Plus unlocks:

  • Cloud data backups (automatic)
  • Full workbook and guided journaling
  • Full urge tracking and history
  • All community reactions
  • All motivation packs
  • All skins and themes
  • Subscriber badge
  • Supporters (share your progress with someone you trust)
  • Up to 10 tracked habits (free users can track 2)
  • Apple Watch app

How do I restore my purchase on a new device?

  1. Go to Settings > All Purchases.
  2. Tap Restore Purchases at the bottom, or pull down to refresh.
  3. Make sure you're signed into the same App Store or Google Play account that made the original purchase.

If the restore doesn't work, your subscription may be linked to a different store account. Check which Apple ID or Google account was used for the original purchase.

I paid but I don't have Sober Plus

First, try quitting the app and opening it again. If that doesn't work:

  • Restore purchases: Try restoring purchases (see above).
  • Check your subscription status: On iOS, go to your device's Settings > Apple ID > Subscriptions. On Android, open Google Play > Payments & subscriptions.
  • If your subscription appears active in the store but not in the app, submit a Debug Report from Settings > About so we can investigate.

I wanted the free trial but I was charged immediately

We typically offer a free trial on our subscriptions. It's also possible that you already used the free trial previously, as you can only enter the trial once. If you still need assistance, please reach out to us at support@iamsober.com.

How do I cancel my subscription?

Subscriptions are managed by the App Store or Google Play, not directly in our app:

Cancelling stops future charges but you keep Sober Plus until the end of your current billing period.

Can I get a refund?

Refunds are managed by the App Store or Google Play, not by us directly. Here are the instructions:

Do I lose my data if I cancel?

No. Your sobriety dates, history, pledges, reviews, notes, and all tracking data remain on your device. However, your data will no longer be automatically backed up in the cloud. You can still create manual backups to protect your data.

Why do you charge money for Sober Plus? Why isn't it free?

Building and maintaining an app like I Am Sober takes a lot of time and effort. We're a small team that has spent many years of our lives building this app. We first released I Am Sober as a simple counter app back in 2014!

Most of the app is free to use as you can always opt out of the payment screen. Sober Plus is completely optional. It gives you access to premium features which lets us continue to pay our bills and fund development of the app.

Community & safety

Community verification isn't working / it says my connection is down

If the verification screen shows a network or "connection may be down" error even though you're online, try the following:

  1. Make sure you're running the latest version of the app.
  2. Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data, then reload the screen.
  3. Fully close and reopen the app.

If verification keeps failing, or your document was declined, reach out to us at support@iamsober.com and describe what happens when you try. If a verification fee applies in your region, please don't pay it more than once. If you were charged and still can't get in, mention that and we'll sort it out.

My post is not showing up, why not?

We have automated tools that help us prevent content that violates our community guidelines from showing up in our community. It's very likely that your post contained something that is not approved by our guidelines. Please make sure to read through the guidelines before posting.

However, occasionally our system will classify things incorrectly and mark things for review that are totally fine. We also monitor and review these regularly and will correct any posts that were taken down by mistake.

Why can't I post a photo with my story?

Depending on what addiction category you are in, images may not be allowed for some milestones. If this doesn't apply to you, it may be a photo permissions issue. Go to your device's Settings app, search for I Am Sober, and ensure you have granted permission for both the camera and your photos. Another possibility is that the image is too large. Try taking a screenshot of the photo and uploading the screenshot instead, as it will have a smaller file size.

How do I post a story?

You can post a story by visiting a milestone feed inside the Community tab. You should see a plus icon that lets you post a story. Some things to note:

  1. You can only post stories to milestones that you've reached.
  2. You can only post stories to addictions that you are tracking.
  3. Please make sure to read through the community guidelines before posting. Failing to do so can get your story flagged.

Someone keeps posting inappropriate content. How can we get them to stop?

We have tools in place that help us review and moderate content posted to our community. However, these tools don't catch everything. You can help us out by flagging stories and comments that violate our community guidelines by tapping on the flag icons next to each piece of content, and we will review these.

You can also visit a profile page, and flag the user as well as block them.

How do I block someone?

Blocking someone will make it so that you don't see any more of their content, and they will no longer be able to see any of your content. To block them:

  1. Tap on their profile to go to their profile page.
  2. In the top right corner, tap the more icon with three dots.
  3. This will bring up a menu that gives you the option to block that user.
  4. If you ever decide to unblock someone, you can find a list of blocked users in your account screen under settings.

If you'd prefer to hide your profile from the community entirely, you can opt out of community visibility in your settings.

Can I edit or delete my story or comment?

You can edit stories within 24 hours of posting. To delete your own comments, tap on the comment and select delete.

Where can I see my own stories and posts?

Tap the person icon in the top right corner to go to your settings. You'll then see tabs for viewing your activity, stories, and comments.

Why was I banned from the community?

Bans are issued for violating our community guidelines. When you're banned, the app shows the specific reason and the ban duration (one day, one week, one month, or permanent). You can still use all non-social features during a ban. Please follow our community guidelines when your ban ends.

My account was deleted for being underage, but why does that matter?

We want you to get the support you need but we also want you to be safe from exposure to mature content. Giving out personal information (including your age) anywhere online is risky.

In the App Store, our app is labeled with the 17+ age rating. When you start using the app, we ask you to check a box stating that you are 18 or over. We will remove any account that, in its own words, makes clear that they do not meet our age requirement that you agreed to when you set up the app.

Why can't I see the Community tab?

The Community tab may not appear if:

  • You haven't completed enough daily pledges yet (5 required).
  • You're in a region where community access requires identity verification.
  • Your account doesn't have community access enabled.

Groups

Who can join or create a group?

Groups are invite-only. You'll either need to create your own and invite others, or have someone who already owns a group send you an invite. You need an I Am Sober account to join a group, and you need to be a Sober Plus subscriber to create a group.

How many groups can I join or create?

There is no limit to how many groups you can join. As a Sober Plus subscriber, you can create one group.

How many people can join a group?

Groups can have a maximum of 25 members.

How do group invites work?

Only group owners can invite someone to become a member of their group. To invite someone, you will need to know their I Am Sober username. Once invited, the person will receive a notification inviting them to join your group. Group invites can be accepted or ignored.

What information can other group members see about me?

Most app data will still be private to you, but a few things are shared within your group:

  1. Your addictions
  2. Your sober start dates
  3. When you reach new milestones
  4. When you make a daily pledge
  5. Start date resets (you can opt to not share these if you prefer)

If my subscription expires, does the group get deleted?

No. However, your group will be put into a read-only state. You'll still be able to view existing messages and group members, but will not be able to add anything until the subscription is active again.

Can I transfer ownership of the group to someone else?

Yes, we can add another group administrator for you. To do this, please reach out to us at support@iamsober.com.

Data & device transfer

How do I transfer my data to a new phone?

If you have Sober Plus:

  1. Make sure the app on your old device is signed into your account and has your latest data synced up.
  2. On your new phone, install the app and sign in with the same account.
  3. Once you've signed in, you will get a screen with information about your backups.
  4. Tap the button for "Restore This Backup", then confirm.
  5. Your new device will now start syncing your data, and you will be signed out of your old device.

If you don't have Sober Plus:

  1. On your old phone, go to Settings > Data Backups and create a manual local backup.
  2. Save it to cloud storage like iCloud, Google Drive, or anywhere you can get access to it.
  3. On the new phone, install the app, sign in, and restore from the local backup file from where you saved it.

Important: Always create a backup before switching phones. Without a backup or cloud sync, your data lives only on the device.

Is my data backed up with my account?

This depends on whether you are a Sober Plus subscriber or not. If you are a subscriber, we keep a secured backup of your data stored in the cloud so that you can restore it in case you ever lose your device. If you are not a subscriber, we only store your email, profile photo, and your community related data (like stories, comments, etc).

Why should I create an account and turn on backups?

Without an account and cloud backup, your sobriety data lives only on your phone. If you lose or replace your device, reinstall the app, or your phone offloads the app to free up storage, that local data can be gone for good, and we can't recover what was never backed up.

Creating an account and making a backup (either via the cloud or a local backup) keeps a secured copy of your progress, so all your history isn't lost if the app is deleted or you lose your device..

How do I back up my data?

  • Cloud backup (Sober Plus): Go to Settings > Data Backups. Cloud backups happen automatically when connected to the internet. You can see the last backup date and which device was used.
  • Local backup (free): Go to Settings > Data Backups and tap Create Backup. This saves a backup file to your device that you can store or transfer manually.

I lost my data / my progress is gone

If you were using the app without an account, or you never made a backup - data is stored only on the device and cannot be recovered remotely. We know this can be frustrating.

We recommend making manual backups going forward, and the app will remind you to do this. However, you can still sign in with your account, update the app to your original start date and move forward. Your actual progress and achievements are still real.

Can I use the app on multiple devices?

We recommend just using one device for the best experience. You technically can use multiple devices, but it will be rather tedious to do so.

Because sobriety is very personal, we only allow your account to be signed in on one device at a time. So anytime you switch devices, you would need to sign in again - and if youre not using Sober Plus - you would need to restore from a backup file to keep your data in sync.

Does the app work offline?

Yes. Core features like tracking, pledges, daily reviews, urge logging, and notes all work offline. Data is stored locally and syncs to the server when you're back online. Community features require an internet connection.

Tracking & progress

How do I change my start date?

  1. From the main Progress tab, tap the Settings tab up top.
  2. If you want to change your start date to right now, you can tap on Reset start date.
  3. To change it to a previous date, tap on your start date, then update it to the new date.
  4. To change the specific time, tap on the time, then update it to the new time.
  5. You can also adjust your start date by tapping dates on the Calendar on the main Progress screen.

Your previous start dates are preserved in your history.

What happens if I relapse / reset my clock?

What's preserved: All your previous start dates, milestone history, reasons, savings data, and photos. Nothing is erased; your full journey is kept.

What resets: Your current clock starts from zero and milestones are recalculated from the new date. Your calendar continues to show your complete history across all periods.

Do I lose my streak history if I reset?

No. Your previous streaks remain visible in your history. The app keeps a record of every start date, so you can always see your full journey, not just the current streak.

I reset my counter by accident, can I undo it?

Yes. Don't worry, nothing has been lost. Resetting doesn't erase your history, so you can set your start date back to what it was:

  1. From the main Progress tab, tap the Settings tab up top.
  2. Tap your start date and start time and change them back to the correct values.

Your previous dates are also kept in your streaks and on the Calendar, so you can confirm the exact date and time you need. From your streaks, you can also remove any start dates that you no longer want there.

Can I see my progress as a total number of days?

Yes. On the main Progress screen, swipe left across your counter. Each swipe pages through different views of your progress, including a total day count, your savings, and your start date. Swipe back to return to the main clock.

How do I track multiple addictions or habits?

  1. From the main Progress screen, tap the menu icon in the top left corner.
  2. In the drawer that slides out, underneath your current addiction you'll see an option to add another.
  3. Sober Plus subscribers can add up to 10 addiction trackers. Free users can track up to 2.

Each habit has its own independent clock, milestones, savings tracker, and history.

My addiction is not in your list! How do I add it?

When you are on the screen for choosing which addiction you want to add, you can scroll to the bottom to add a custom addiction. Tapping on "Custom" will allow you to type in the name of whatever you want. However, by making your addiction custom you will be grouped in the Custom addiction community.

At the bottom of the addiction list, you will also see an option to submit your suggestion to be added to our list.

How do I delete an addiction?

  1. From the main Progress screen, tap the menu icon in the top left corner.
  2. In the drawer that slides out, underneath your current addiction you'll see an option to Edit List.
  3. On the next screen, tap the Edit button in the top right corner.
  4. Tap the red delete icon next to the addiction you want to delete.

How are milestones calculated?

Milestones are automatically calculated from your start date. There are built-in milestones covering days (1, 2, 3... up to 2000+), weeks, months, and years. When you reach a milestone, you'll get a celebration screen where you can optionally share a story, answer a reflection, or add a photo.

Why does the number of people heading toward my next milestone keep changing?

On the way to a milestone, the app shows how many other members share that same upcoming milestone. For example, "You and 40 others have this milestone next." That number isn't fixed:

  • It goes up as more people get close to the same milestone.
  • It goes down as people reach the milestone ahead of you, or reset their start date.

So a shifting count is normal. It reflects everyone's real-time progress. It's there to remind you that you're never working toward a goal alone.

How does the savings calculator work?

The app supports 4 types of savings:

  1. Money: enter how much you spent per day or week. The app calculates total savings based on your sober days. Supports 29 currencies.
  2. Time: hours and minutes saved per day/week.
  3. Calories: calories saved per day/week.
  4. Custom: define your own unit and amount.

Set these up in your habit's settings under Savings.

Notifications

Why am I not getting notifications?

There are a few basic things to check first:

  1. Tap the person icon in the top right corner to go to your settings.
  2. Scroll down and tap on the Notifications section.
  3. Make sure each notification type you want is toggled on.
  4. Make sure notifications are enabled in your device's Settings app. You can find a link to this at the bottom of the notification settings screen.
  5. Check that your notifications aren't limited to a scheduled daily summary, focus mode, or do not disturb mode. Otherwise they won't show up when you expect them to.
  6. For Android devices, check that battery optimization isn't blocking the app. You can check this status from Settings > About > Debug Report in the app.

My notifications come at the wrong time and I would like to change them.

  1. Tap the person icon in the top right corner to go to your settings.
  2. Scroll down and tap on the Notifications section.
  3. Make sure each notification type you want is toggled on.
  4. Tap on the time underneath each notification to adjust it.
  5. Check that your notifications aren't limited to a scheduled daily summary, focus mode, or do not disturb mode. Otherwise they won't show up when you expect them to.

Can I turn off specific notifications?

Yes. Go to Settings > Notifications to toggle individual notification types on or off, including community notifications, group activity, comment replies, milestones, and more.

I already made my pledge, why am I still getting reminded?

Daily reminders are sent on a fixed schedule, so the pledge and review reminders still fire at their set times even if you've already completed them for the day. They're a prompt, not a checklist, so it's fine to ignore one once you're done. If a reminder lands at an awkward time, you can adjust its time or turn it off under Settings > Notifications.

Account deletion & privacy

How do I delete my account?

  1. Go to Settings > Account > Delete Account.
  2. Review what will be deleted.
  3. Verify your identity (enter your password, or confirm via Apple Sign-In).
  4. Confirm deletion.

Deletion is permanent and cannot be undone. We recommend creating a local backup before deleting if you want to keep your tracking data.

What gets deleted when I delete my account?

Everything associated with your account is permanently removed.

I deleted my account, but I want to come back.

When you deleted your account, all of the data associated with it was also deleted. You're always welcome back. You'll just need to set up a new account and start fresh.

Language & translation

How do I change the app language?

Go to Settings > About > Language and select from our supported languages. The app will ask you to confirm the change. All screens and content will update to the selected language.

I do not see my language, now what?

At the bottom of the list for our supported languages, you will see an option for requesting a new language.

How do I report a bad translation?

At the bottom of the list for our supported languages, you will see an option for reporting a bad translation.

Widgets

How do I add a widget to my home screen?

The app offers several widget types: a single day counter, a list of counters, a dashboard view, a motivation widget, and an urge logging shortcut.

  • iOS: Long-press your home screen, tap the + button, search for "I Am Sober," and choose a widget.
  • Android: Long-press your home screen, tap Widgets, find "I Am Sober," and drag your preferred widget to the home screen.

If you need help learning how to install widgets, for iOS see: https://support.apple.com/HT207122

For Android see: https://support.google.com/android/answer/9450271

Why can't I see my widgets?

If you have locked or hidden I Am Sober by requiring Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode - this will prevent certain things from displaying, including widgets. To display them again:

  1. Go to the home screen of your device.
  2. Locate the I Am Sober app.
  3. Touch and hold the app icon until the quick actions menu opens.
  4. Tap don't require Face ID (or Touch ID or passcode), then authenticate.

Why is my widget not updating?

On iOS, widgets update periodically based on system scheduling. If a widget is completely stuck, try removing and re-adding it.

On Android, widgets can only update once every 30 minutes due to system limitations. The counter may be slightly behind, but opening the app will refresh all widgets immediately.

Troubleshooting

The app crashed, did I lose my data?

Almost certainly not. Your data is saved to your device automatically and persists through crashes. When you reopen the app, your data should be right where you left it. If something looks off, go to Settings > Data Backups and try restoring from your most recent backup.

How do I report a bug or get help?

Go to Settings > About > Debug Report. This collects diagnostic information (your device, OS version, app version, and app state) and opens an email you can send to our support team. Include a description of the issue in the email.

I got a purchase error

Common purchase errors and what to do:

  • "Purchase not allowed on this device": Check that purchases are enabled in your device settings (parental controls may block them).
  • "Store connection problem": Try again in a few minutes. Make sure you have an internet connection.
  • "Payment pending": Your payment is still being processed by the store. Wait for it to clear.
  • "Already owned": Try restoring purchases from Settings > All Purchases.
  • "Receipt in use by another account": The subscription is tied to a different app account. Sign in with the account that originally purchased it, or contact support.

What does the "Welcome back" screen mean?

If you haven't used the app in a while, a reactivation flow will appear when you return. It helps you update your start dates and reasons. Your data hasn't been lost. The app is just helping you get back on track.

I'm being told to update the app

If you see a message asking you to update, your app version is no longer supported. Please update to the latest version from the App Store or Google Play to continue using the app.