How can we help?

Getting started

Continue with Apple, then start a new family or open the invitation link someone sent you. There is no separate FamilyGather password, and FamilyGather never asks you to sign in to a ChatGPT account.

Every member can view, add, edit, and share plans. Editing changes the plan for everyone. Only the event creator or family manager can delete a plan. Only the person who started the family can create invitations or remove members.

Create your first family plan

1. Tap Add event and enter the required title, date, and time.
2. Add an address, photo, or note only if they are useful; these fields are optional.
3. Review the summary and tap Create and share event. Everyone in the family sees it immediately.

Invite a family member

1. The person who manages the family opens Family → Invitations and enters the recipient’s name.
2. Share it with one person using Mail, Messages, or WhatsApp.
3. That person opens the link in the installed app. After Apple verifies them, FamilyGather joins them to the family and opens the shared calendar. If they were already signed in, they tap Join family calendar once.

Availability votes and family checklists

If the date is uncertain, open Home → Ask which time works. Offer two to five choices. Each person can select every suitable time; the vote creator or family manager then uses one choice to create the final event.

For things the family must do or bring, open the event in Calendar → What to do or bring. Add a short item, optionally assign a family member, and tick it when complete.

The Home page shows today’s count, the next seven days, and unfinished checklist items. To add the widget, touch and hold the Home Screen, tap Edit → Add Widget, search for FamilyGather, and choose a size.

Device calendar copies

FamilyGather holds the family plan. A writable iCloud, Google, Outlook or other calendar connected to the iPhone can keep a separate copy. Open Family → Settings to choose the destination and copy every new plan automatically, or open More actions on one event.

To connect Google or another provider first, open iPhone Settings → Apps → Calendar → Calendar Accounts → Add Account, choose the provider, sign in, and make sure Calendars is enabled. Return to FamilyGather → Family → Settings, then tap Choose calendar.

If copying stops, open Settings → Privacy & Security → Calendars → FamilyGather, allow full access, then reopen FamilyGather and tap Refresh.

Shared lists and recurring chores

Open Home → Household lists & chores. Use Shopping for quantities and categories, Chores for assignments, due dates, and repeat schedules, or General for packing and other family lists. Completing a recurring chore records when it was done and moves its next due date forward.

The list creator or family manager can remove a list or item. Everyone in the family can add items and mark work complete.

Family calendars and external subscriptions

Open Family → Calendars to add colour-coded calendars such as School, Sport, or Extended family. When creating an event, choose its calendar. In Calendar, filter by calendar or by the family member who created the plan.

To show an Apple, Google, Outlook, school, or club calendar, paste its private HTTPS ICS subscription address under External calendar subscriptions. Imported events are read-only; change them in the original service, then tap Refresh beside that subscription. Removing a subscription removes only its imported copy from FamilyGather.

Event messages, files, and notice scanning

Open an event in Calendar, then expand Messages & files. Family members can ask questions or attach a PDF, photo, or calendar file. Only members of that private family can open those files. The author, uploader, or family manager can remove their content.

In the installed app, tap Scan an invitation or notice on the first Add event step. Choose a photo, screenshot, or PDF. Your device reads it locally and fills an editable draft. Check the title, date, time, and place before creating the event; scanning never posts automatically.

Alerts, reminders, and repeated plans

Open Family → Settings to turn plan-change alerts on or off and choose quiet hours. Open an event’s More actions to choose a reminder for that event on this device.

When creating an event, use Repeat for daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly plans and choose an end date. Use Duplicate event when you want a similar plan without a repeating series.

Maps, addresses, and photos

Choose Google Maps while editing an event, search for a place, check the red pin, and tap Use this location.

If Maps is unavailable, type the meeting address in the event and continue. The map is helpful but never required to create a family plan.

Profile and event photos can be selected from the Photo Library. Tap a saved photo or member icon to enlarge it, then tap again to close it.

Troubleshooting

• Newest changes are missing: tap Refresh at the top of the app.
• An invitation does not work: ask the person who manages the family for a new link; the old one may have expired or already been used.
• Google Maps does not load: check the internet connection, close and reopen the map, or type the address and continue without the map.
• Sign-in cannot be completed: confirm that you are signed in to your Apple Account in Settings, then reopen FamilyGather and try again.
• You are offline: FamilyGather shows the most recently saved family calendar as read-only. Reconnect before adding or changing a plan; an unfinished event draft remains saved on this device.
• A plan was deleted by mistake: tap Undo immediately or open Calendar → Recently Deleted. The creator or family manager can restore it for 30 days.
• The widget is empty: open FamilyGather while online once so the latest upcoming plans can be saved securely for the widget.
• A calendar subscription will not refresh: confirm the private link still works in the original calendar service, then open Family → Calendars and try Refresh again. Existing imported events remain visible if a refresh fails.
• A notice cannot be scanned: use a sharper image or a PDF with selectable text. You can always enter the event details manually.

Privacy and data

Read the FamilyGather Privacy Policy for details about family data, photos, maps, and on-device Calendar access.

Open Family → Settings to download a copy of your family data or sign out another device. Deleting an account transfers its plans to a remaining family manager so the shared calendar is not broken.

Report or block unsafe content

Open an event’s More actions menu to report it. To report or block a person, open Family → People. Blocking hides that person’s notes and photographs from you. Read the Safety & Community Rules for details.

Still need help?

Email the developer at alan.alansze@gmail.com. Include what you tapped, what you expected, and a screenshot if possible. Do not send an invitation link or private family details.