Help & Support

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Arbor identify a tree?

You photograph the tree, or pick an existing image from your library. The photo travels over an encrypted connection to our backend, which passes it to Google Gemini for analysis. Seconds later you get a species, a description, supporting details such as care and wood notes, any cautions worth knowing, and a confidence level.

Can I rely on Arbor to tell me if a plant is safe or edible?

No. Identifications are AI estimates for informational and educational purposes only. Never eat, taste, touch, burn, or otherwise use any plant, tree, fruit, fungus, bark, or seed based on an identification from Arbor. Toxic species can look almost identical to harmless ones, and a photograph cannot tell them apart reliably. Arbor is not a substitute for professional botanical, arboricultural, agricultural, medical, or veterinary advice. In a suspected poisoning, contact emergency services or a poison control centre immediately.

How accurate is it?

Accuracy depends on framing, lighting, season, and how much of the tree is visible. Every result carries a confidence level of High, Medium, or Low, and anything the analysis is unsure about is flagged as a caution rather than hidden. Treat a result as a well-informed starting point and verify it before acting on it. See our Terms of Service for the full limitations.

Does Arbor store my photos?

No. Photos are sent for analysis and processed transiently. We do not retain them once the result comes back, and we never use them to train models of our own. A copy is saved on your device so your history and field guide have something to show, and it is deleted when you delete the find or the App. See our Privacy Policy for the full data flow.

Do I need an account?

No. There is no sign-up, no email, and no password. The App creates an anonymous session with our backend so it can meter usage fairly, and that identity is not linked to you.

What does a subscription include, and what does it cost?

Arbor offers optional auto-renewable subscriptions and may offer one-time purchases, which unlock unlimited identifications and the rest of the premium features. Plans, prices, and any free-trial terms are always shown in the App before you buy, in your local currency, because pricing varies by region and changes over time. Billing is handled by Apple and charged to your Apple ID.

Managing Your Subscription

How do I cancel?

Cancel at any time through your Apple ID settings:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad
2. Tap your name at the top of the screen
3. Tap Subscriptions
4. Find and tap Arbor
5. Tap Cancel Subscription

Cancel at least 24 hours before the end of the current billing period to avoid the next charge. You keep access until the period you have already paid for ends. If a plan includes a free trial, cancel at least 24 hours before the trial ends to avoid being charged.

How do I restore my purchases?

Reinstalled the App or switched devices? Open the purchase screen, from the upgrade prompt in Settings or when you reach the daily limit, and tap Restore. Any active entitlement tied to your Apple ID is re-applied automatically. Make sure you are signed in with the same Apple ID you bought with.

Can I get a refund?

All purchases are processed by Apple, so refunds go through Apple. We cannot issue them directly. Request one at reportaproblem.apple.com or through Apple Support.

Tips for Better Identifications

• Fill the frame: get close to a leaf, a cluster of needles, or a patch of bark rather than shooting the whole tree from across the street
• Use daylight: overcast daylight is ideal, harsh backlight is the hardest case
• Shoot one subject: a single leaf against a plain background beats a tangle of overlapping species
• Try a second angle: if confidence comes back Low, scan the bark or the whole silhouette instead
• Hold the zoom dial: press and drag it for fine control when the detail you want is out of reach
• Catch the season: flowers, fruit, and seed pods are strong evidence when they are there

Technical Requirements

Arbor requires:

• iOS 17.0 or later
• An iPhone with a camera
• An active internet connection (analysis happens on our servers)
• Camera access permission

Report a Problem

Found a bug, or an identification that was badly wrong? Email us at adk0110112@gmail.com with:

• Your device model (for example, iPhone 15 Pro)
• Your iOS version and the Arbor version shown at the bottom of Settings
• A description of what happened
• Screenshots, if you have them

We typically respond within 24–48 hours.