Support
Stuck on something? Most things are quick to sort out with the steps below.
- Benching isn't working
- Open Settings inside Parkbench and check that the required permissions are granted (Family Controls). After granting, restart the app once. If a system update just landed, granting again is usually enough.
- A schedule didn't bench my apps
- Open Settings inside Parkbench and confirm Family Controls is still granted, since a system update can quietly reset it. Then check the schedule is switched on, with the right days and times. Schedules run on your phone's local time, so a window that crosses midnight can look off by a few hours.
- A limit didn't bench my apps
- Confirm Family Controls is still granted in Settings inside Parkbench. A limit counts usage a day at a time and resets at midnight, so if you set one on an app you've already used past its cap today, it won't bench that app until tomorrow, when the new day's count begins. After that, it benches the whole group as soon as any app in it crosses the cap.
- My tag won't scan, or Tap to bench isn't working
- Make sure Tap to bench is switched on and you've linked a tag, then hold the top of your iPhone flat against the tag for a second until it reads. If a tag never reads, it may be a type Parkbench can't use. Blank NTAG213 tags and NFC Type 5 (ISO15693) tags both work well and are inexpensive online. You can re-link a new tag any time from the Tap to bench screen.
- I can't sign in
- Make sure you're on a recent version of Parkbench. If a confirmation or password-reset email isn't arriving, check spam and double-check the email address. If you keep getting kicked back to the sign-in screen, sign out and back in once. If that doesn't help, email support and we'll restore your session.
- The app crashed
- Force-quit and reopen. If it keeps crashing, email support with your device model, OS version, and roughly when it happened. A short description of what you were doing helps a lot.
- My focus minutes look wrong
- Focus minutes only count time spent with at least one bench active. If the app was force-quit during a session, the last partial minute may not have synced. Pulling to refresh the Bench tab usually resolves it. If a whole day is missing, email support with the date.
- I want to cancel my subscription
- Subscriptions are managed by the App Store, not by Parkbench. Open Settings, tap your name, then Subscriptions, then Parkbench.
- I want to delete my account
- Open Parkbench, then Settings, then Account, then Delete account. That permanently removes your account and your data. One thing to know: an App Store subscription is separate from your Parkbench account, so deleting your account does not cancel it. If you have a subscription, cancel it in your iPhone Settings under your name, then Subscriptions. You can do that anytime, before or after deleting your account.
- My park or field guide looks empty
- The park fills in as you spend time on the bench. Animals wander in on their own and there's no checklist to grind, so give it a few sessions and keep an eye out. The field guide quietly records what you've seen so far.
Still need a hand?
Anything the steps above don't cover, plus bug reports and feature requests. For a bug, tell us your device model, your OS version, and what you were doing. Screenshots help a lot.
Email supportsupport@theparkbench.app