Creative Algorithms newsletter November 2014

Q: I got a new iPad/iPhone. Does my app data transfer automatically?

A: Yes, and no. Apps will transfer if you're using the same account or Family Sharing. If you do a Restore from Backup (via iCloud backup or iTunes backup), all app databases move to the new device. If you just add a new device, you may have to move the database manually.

All our apps with data (Recipe Manager apps and Trip Boss apps) are set up for File Sharing in iTunes. With File Sharing, you can copy database information from one device to another. This is not a true sync, but an overwrite, but it works well if you designate one device as a "master" and rest as receiving devices. File Sharing is also a great way to create a backup of your databases, outside of the full backup that is set up in iTunes or iCloud backup.

Here's how to use iTunes File Sharing:
1) Connect the Master (or old) device to iTunes. On the Apps tab, find File Sharing, and scroll down to the appropriate app.
2) Copy the database to your computer. (ss.db or tb.db). Apple has a good tutorial on their website, which is applicable to both iPad and iPhone apps.
3) Connect the Receiving device to iTunes. Using File Sharing copy (and overwrite) the database back into iTunes.

Now the data is on both devices!

4) One last step is necessary, however. The receiving device must have the app completely closed to reload the new database. This step is important because info you add before the reload will not be saved to the database you just transferred. Close apps in iOS7/8 by double clicking the Home button. Flick up the app you want to close, so it's no longer in the deck of app cards.

Note: The database for Recipe Manager with Serving Sizer (iPad) and Serving Sizer Recipe Manager (iPhone) is designed the same, so you can copy between the two apps. The database for Trip Boss is used by all the modules, so all data is stored there.

Q: How do I backup my data: recipes or trips??

A: You can backup your files generically by syncing with iTunes, or enabling iCloud backup, but we also offer File Sharing for individual database backups for our apps.

Follow steps 1) & 2) above to save a backup file. Steps 3) & 4) cover how to load the backup back onto the device.

Q: How do I share recipes between my iPad and iPhone Recipe Manager apps?

A: The database for Recipe Manager with Serving Sizer (iPad) and Serving Sizer Recipe Manager (iPhone) is designed the same, so you can copy between the two apps using iTunes File Sharing. However, as mentioned above, it's not a true sync, but an overwrite. Choose one device to be the "master" for entering all recipes, then copy the updated database to the receiving device. Follow steps 1) & 2) to copy database files to your computer, then steps 3) & 4) to load the files to the receiving device.

Q: How do I import recipes from the web or email?

A: Right now you can use copy/paste. Highlight the recipe text, then copy. Open Recipe Manager (or Serving Sizer Recipe Manager) and, we recommend, paste into the directions area. You can still view the recipe in cooking mode (whisk on the iPad, index card on the iPhone) and cook just fine. Cooking Mode on the iPad allows you to adjust the font and the screen won't turn off. When you are ready to scale the recipe, then you would have to enter the ingredients separately.

We have promised an update for auto import, which has proven more difficult to get right. Many of the recipe websites are full of ads and extra text, none of which is standard, so "teaching" the app to read the websites correctly is a huge task. We interrupted this work to get out the iOS8 bug fixes, but are back to working on it now.

More questions? Email us!
support {at} creativealgorithms {dot} com

Thank you!!!