If you’re looking for info on how to connect a wearable, please visit our dedicated Wearables Article. For all other Permissions, keep on reading!
🔐 What Permissions Do I Need to Enable on Android?
The permissions you need depend on the types of goals you want to set. BetterYou will automatically request the appropriate permissions when you create specific goals, but here's what each permission does:
Core Permissions
Notifications Permission
Purpose: Allows BetterYou to keep you on track with your goals, update you on your progress, notify you about rewards, and celebrate your success.
When Requested: Automatically requested when you first open the app.
Location Permission
Purpose: Required for location-based goals. BetterYou uses your location to give you credit when you visit places that align with your goals—like the gym, a yoga class, the library, or even the grocery store.
Options:
"Allow all the time" - Enables automatic progress logging even when the app is closed
"Allow only while using the app" - Only logs progress when the app is open
Privacy Note: We do not continuously monitor your location. BetterYou only logs information about the specific places you've set for your goals.
Contacts Permission
Purpose: Applies to Social goals where you select the people you want to stay in touch with. By granting access, you can choose who in your life you want to stay connected with, and BetterYou can remind you if you haven't reached out to someone like your mom as part of your goal.
Privacy Note: We do not share your data under any circumstances. The only people who know about your social interactions are you and the people you interact with.
🏃♂️ Activity & Health Permissions
Activity Recognition
Purpose: BetterYou uses Activity Recognition to sync with your phone's sensors to give you credit for your activity. This is essential for accurately counting steps and tracking movement patterns.
Health Connect
Purpose: BetterYou syncs with Health Connect to accurately reflect your steps data and give you credit towards your steps goal. This integrates with Google Fit, Samsung Health, and other wearable devices.
What it tracks:
Daily step count
Sleep data
Exercise time
Health data history (when available)
⏰ Background & System Permissions
Alarms and Reminders
Purpose: Allows BetterYou to send you notifications at specific times throughout the day. This helps you stay on track with your goals by providing timely reminders and nudges.
App Usage Access
Purpose: BetterYou detects how much time you spend on the apps that give you credit toward your goals—apps like Duolingo, Headspace, fitness apps, etc. This enables automatic progress logging for time-based goals.
Example: If you have a Learning goal set and spend 30 minutes a day on Duolingo, allowing this permission enables BetterYou to automatically log that progress.
Battery Optimization
Purpose: Turning OFF battery optimization allows BetterYou to work in the background to accurately give you credit toward your goals and provide you with faster updates on your progress.
Why it's important: Android's battery optimization can interfere with background services that track your activity and sync your progress data.
Additional Android Permissions
Background App Refresh
Purpose: Allows BetterYou to give you credit for your activity even when the app is closed, ensuring continuous progress tracking.
Camera
Purpose: BetterYou uses the camera to scan QR codes and take profile photos for personalization.
🎯 Goal-Specific Permission Requirements
Steps Goals
Activity Recognition - For step counting
Health Connect - For syncing with fitness apps and wearables
Battery Optimization - For background step tracking
Location-Based Goals
Location Access - For detecting visits to goal-related places
Background Location - For automatic logging when app is closed
Time-Based Goals (Fitness, Learning, Meditation)
App Usage Access - For tracking time spent in relevant apps
Battery Optimization - For background monitoring
Social Goals
Contacts - For selecting people to stay in touch with
App Usage Access - For tracking communication app usage
📍 Where to Manage Permissions
In-App Permissions Management
Open BetterYou app
Navigate to Account tab (bottom navigation)
Tap Account Settings (gear icon in top right)
Scroll down to "SYSTEM PERMISSIONS" section
View current permission status for each category
Tap on any permission to see detailed explanation
Use "Enable" buttons to request permissions
Use "Open Settings" to access Android system settings
Android System Settings
Open Android Settings app
Tap "Apps" or "Application Manager"
Find and tap "BetterYou"
Tap "Permissions"
Manage individual permissions as needed
🛡️ How Your Privacy is Protected
Selective Data Collection: BetterYou only collects data relevant to your specific goals
Local Processing: Most data processing happens on your device
No Data Sharing: We never share your personal data with third parties
Transparent Permissions: Clear explanations of why each permission is needed
User Control: You can revoke any permission at any time
🔄 Permission Status Indicators
In the System Permissions section, you'll see:
✅ Checkmark - Permission is granted and working
🔴 Enable Button - Permission needs to be enabled
⚙️ Open Settings - Permission requires Android system settings access
📱 Limited - Permission is partially granted
💡 Pro Tips
Grant permissions as needed - You don't need to enable all permissions at once
Use "Allow all the time" for location - This ensures automatic progress logging for location-based goals
Disable battery optimization - This is crucial for accurate background tracking
Enable App Usage Access - Essential for automatic app usage tracking on Android
Check permission status regularly - Use the System Permissions section to monitor your settings
Update Android regularly - Keep your device updated for the best permission management experience
🆘 Troubleshooting
Permission Not Working?
Check the System Permissions section in Account Settings
Tap "Open App Permissions" to access Android settings
Ensure the permission is enabled in Android Settings > Apps > BetterYou > Permissions
Restart the app after changing permissions
Battery Optimization Issues?
Go to Android Settings > Battery > Battery Optimization
Find "BetterYou" in the list
Select "Don't optimize" to ensure background functionality
Still Having Issues?
Please reach out to us directly at help@betteryou.ai with any questions about permissions or troubleshooting.
For the best possible experience while using the BetterYou App, ensure you're using the most recent version and that your Android OS is also up to date!
Please reach out to us directly at help@betteryou.ai with any questions
