Help & Troubleshooting
Quick fixes for common situations. If something here doesn't solve it, see contact & support at the bottom.
On this page
Logging & food values
The total or ring didn't update after I added a food
Make sure you tapped the + button to commit the entry — typing in the form alone doesn't add it. Also confirm the amount field has a number and the date at the top is the day you meant to log. The ring and meal total update the moment an item is added.
A food's value looks wrong
Reference values are population-level estimates and vary by region and processing. If you have a better figure, open Food Management, type the food name, enter your value in Value (µg/100g), and tap Save to DB. Your value is then used everywhere that food appears.
Leave the value field filled when adding a food. The app deliberately won't overwrite a real reference value with a blank/zero from the meal form, but it's still best to log with the correct number so totals stay accurate.
I picked the wrong meal or amount
Every logged row has a pencil icon to edit it and a trash icon to delete it. Reopen the meal from the Logging selector to make changes.
Search & lookups
A food isn't in the database
When you search for an unknown food, the app shows a look-up row offering USDA FoodData Central and a web lookup. Accept a value from either and tap Save to DB to add it for next time. See the User Guide.
The USDA or web lookup isn't returning anything
- These features need an internet connection — check you're online.
- Try a simpler or more common name (for example "almond" instead of a specific brand).
- Web AI-overview values can vary in how they're presented; the app asks you to confirm a value before keeping it, so if the result looks off, decline and enter a value manually.
Autocomplete shows too many regional variants
The plain, unlabelled entry is the general value and sorts first. If you never use certain regional variants, open View & Manage Food Database, tick their checkboxes, and delete them to tidy the list.
Recipes & compound foods
My custom recipe doesn't appear when I search
- Confirm you tapped Save in the recipe builder — a recipe needs a name and at least one ingredient to save.
- Recipes are tied to the element you're tracking. If you switched elements, recipes built under a different element won't show. Switch back to see them.
A compound food's total seems too high or too low
Built-in recipes use standard portions for each ingredient. For a closer match, build your own version in My Recipes where you can set portions, substitute ingredients, or remove ones you skipped — the running Total updates as you go.
Backup, restore & data
How do I back up my data?
Open Settings → Back up to file… and choose where to save. The file contains your foods, favorites, recipes, daily logs, and settings, and can be stored on any service Android's file picker reaches (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or local storage).
How do I restore, or move to a new phone?
Install the app on the new device and use Settings → Restore from file…, then pick your backup file.
Restoring replaces all foods, favorites, logs, and settings already in the app with the backup's contents. The app asks you to confirm first, and it can't be undone. Back up the current device first if you're unsure.
Will an app update erase my logs?
Normal updates preserve your data. As a precaution before any major update — or before experimenting with restore — make a backup file so you always have a copy you control.
Display & behavior
I'm looking at the wrong day's data
The home screen always reflects the date shown at the top. Use the arrows to step between days or tap the date to jump. It's easy to land on yesterday or tomorrow after navigating in Trends.
The Food Management buttons disappeared
View & Manage Food Database and My Recipes live inside the Food Management panel. Tap Food Management on the home screen to expand it and the buttons appear below the search fields. Tap it again (Hide Food Management) to collapse.
Numbers are in micrograms — can I change units?
Reference values are expressed in micrograms (µg) per 100 g, the standard for trace-element content. Food amounts can be entered in grams as well as common piece and portion units when you log a meal.
Contact & support
If you've worked through the relevant section above and still need help:
- Re-read the User Guide for the screen you're on — most questions are answered step by step.
- Check the FAQ for how values, privacy, and the disclaimer work.
- Email us at hello@code-cowboys.com — include your device model and a short description of what you did and what happened.
Trace Elements is a self-tracking aid, not medical advice. It doesn't diagnose, treat, or prevent any condition. If you're on a clinician-directed diet, follow their guidance, and contact your healthcare provider if symptoms change or worsen.