Help & Support

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Sprout identify a seed?

You photograph the seeds, 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 variety, a description, supporting details such as planting notes, any cautions worth knowing, and a confidence level.

Can Sprout tell me if a seed or plant is safe or edible?

No. Identifications are AI estimates for informational, educational, and gardening-hobby purposes only. Never eat, taste, plant for consumption, or handle any seed, seedling, plant, fruit, or fungus based solely on an identification from Sprout. Toxic seeds and plants closely resemble edible ones, and a photograph cannot tell them apart reliably. Growing guidance in a result is general information, not professional horticultural or agricultural advice, and Sprout is not a substitute for medical, veterinary, or food-safety advice. In a suspected poisoning, contact emergency services or a poison control centre immediately.

How accurate is it?

Accuracy depends on framing, lighting, how clean the background is, and how distinctive the seed coat happens to be. 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 Sprout 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 your garden 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?

Sprout 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 Sprout
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 few seeds rather than shooting a whole packet or tray from arm's length
• Use a plain background: a white plate or a sheet of paper beats a wooden table or a palm full of soil
• Use daylight: overcast daylight is ideal, harsh backlight is the hardest case
• Shoot one variety: a single kind of seed reads far better than a mixed handful
• Try a second angle: if confidence comes back Low, turn the seeds over or photograph the seedling instead
• Hold the zoom dial: press and drag it for fine control when the seed coat is too small to read

Technical Requirements

Sprout 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 Sprout version shown at the bottom of Settings
• A description of what happened
• Screenshots, if you have them

We typically respond within 24–48 hours.