Quick Start Guide
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Getting Started
Complete your first benchmark quiz and set up tracking for immediate insights
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Using the App
Learn to navigate features, add data, and understand your benchmark comparisons
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Account & Subscription
Manage your Pro subscription, billing, and account settings
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Troubleshooting
Fix common issues with app performance, login, and data syncing
Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Started
How do I complete the initial benchmark quiz?
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📊 Benchmark Quiz Best Practices
For the most accurate initial benchmarking:
- Be Honest: Accurate data leads to meaningful comparisons and realistic goal setting
- Gather Financial Info: Have recent income, savings, and expense data available
- Consider Recent Activity: Use fitness data from the past 3 months for current assessment
- Take Your Time: The quiz takes 10-15 minutes - don't rush for best results
What do my benchmark scores and percentiles mean?
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Your percentile score shows how you compare to others in your demographic. For example, a 75th percentile fitness score means you're doing better than 75% of people your age and gender. Scores above 50th percentile are above average, while below 50th indicates room for improvement compared to your peers.
How do I set up tracking for my first metrics?
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After completing your initial benchmark, tap "Start Tracking" to select 3-5 key metrics to monitor. Begin with metrics you can easily measure (like weekly exercise hours or monthly savings rate). Set up reminders to update these monthly for consistent progress tracking.
How do I navigate the dashboard and main features?
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The dashboard shows your overall percentile and category breakdowns. Tap any category (💪 Fitness, 💰 Finance, 🚀 Career, 👥 Social) for detailed metrics. Use the "Add Data" button to update values, "Progress" tab to view trends, and "Compare" to see how you rank against different demographics.
Account & Subscription
How do I manage my subscription (upgrade, cancel, billing)?
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Go to Settings > Subscription to view your current plan. To upgrade to Pro, tap "Upgrade Now" and choose monthly ($9.99) or annual ($95.88). To cancel, go to your iPhone Settings > Apple ID > Subscriptions > BenchmarkMe > Cancel Subscription. Your Pro features remain active until the end of your billing period.
How do I restore purchases on new devices?
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Install BenchmarkMe on your new device and sign in with the same Apple ID used for your original purchase. Go to Settings > Restore Purchases. Your Pro subscription and historical data will sync automatically. This process works across all devices linked to your Apple ID.
What are the differences between Free and Pro features?
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Free includes 5 basic metrics, monthly tracking, and basic demographic comparisons. Pro unlocks all 192+ metrics, advanced demographic filtering, AI-powered insights, weekly progress reports, milestone celebrations, data export, premium goal-setting tools, and priority support. Pro also includes advanced analytics and custom benchmark creation.
How do I export my data or delete my account?
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To export data (Pro feature), go to Settings > Data Export and choose format (CSV, PDF report). Your benchmark history, progress charts, and insights will be included. To delete your account, go to Settings > Account > Delete Account. This permanently removes all data and cannot be undone. Consider exporting data first.
Using the App
How do I add and edit tracking entries?
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📈 Tracking Success Tips
For effective progress tracking:
- Consistency: Update key metrics monthly for reliable trend analysis
- Context: Add notes about major life changes that might affect benchmarks
- Categories: Focus on 2-3 metrics per category rather than trying to track everything
How do I understand benchmark comparisons and demographic filters?
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Tap "Compare" to see how you rank against different groups. Use filters for Age (5-year ranges), Gender, Location (state/region), Education Level, and Income Bracket. Your percentile changes based on these filters. For example, your fitness might be 60th percentile overall but 75th percentile for your specific age group and location.
How do I read charts and progress visualizations?
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Progress charts show trends over time with percentile lines. Green areas indicate improvement, red shows decline. The dashboard radar chart displays your percentiles across all 4 categories. Tap any chart element for detailed breakdowns. Pro users get advanced analytics with projections and milestone tracking visualizations.
How do I set and achieve personal goals?
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Go to Goals > Set New Goal and choose a metric to improve. Set target percentile (e.g., reach 80th percentile fitness) and timeframe. The app provides milestone checkpoints and recommended action steps. Pro users get AI-powered goal recommendations based on your data patterns and demographic comparisons.
Data & Privacy
How is benchmark data collected and verified?
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Our benchmark data comes from government statistics (Census, BLS, CDC), industry surveys, academic research, and anonymized user data. All sources are verified for accuracy and updated quarterly. We use AI to cross-reference multiple data sources and identify outliers. Individual submissions are never used without aggregation and anonymization.
What data privacy and security measures are in place?
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All personal data is encrypted both in transit and at rest using industry-standard encryption. Your individual metrics are never shared or sold. We only use anonymized, aggregated data to improve benchmarks. You maintain full control over your data and can delete it anytime. We comply with GDPR, CCPA, and other privacy regulations.
How do I sync data across multiple devices?
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Data automatically syncs across devices when signed in with the same Apple ID. Changes made on one device appear on others within minutes (requires internet connection). If sync seems delayed, go to Settings > Sync Data to force a manual sync. Your data is securely stored in the cloud using Firebase.
How accurate are the data sources and national averages?
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We source data from authoritative organizations: U.S. Census Bureau (income/demographics), Bureau of Labor Statistics (employment), CDC (health metrics), Federal Reserve (financial data), and peer-reviewed academic studies. Data is updated quarterly and validated through multiple sources. Accuracy varies by metric but typically reflects 95%+ confidence intervals.
Troubleshooting
The app is crashing or running slowly - what should I do?
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Try these steps: 1) Force close and restart the app, 2) Restart your device, 3) Check for app updates in the App Store, 4) Ensure you have at least 1GB free storage, 5) Close other apps to free up memory, 6) Check your internet connection. If issues persist, the problem may be server-related and should resolve within a few hours.
I'm having login and authentication problems
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Ensure you're using the correct Apple ID that you originally used to download BenchmarkMe. If you can't remember, check Settings > Apple ID on your device. For "Sign in with Apple" issues, go to Settings > Apple ID > Sign-In & Security > Apps Using Apple ID and check BenchmarkMe permissions. Try signing out and back in if problems persist.
My benchmark data appears missing or incorrect
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First, check if you're connected to the internet and try refreshing by pulling down on the main screen. Verify you're signed in with the correct account. If specific entries are missing, go to Settings > Sync Data to force synchronization. For incorrect national averages, ensure your demographic filters match your actual profile.
I'm experiencing subscription and payment issues
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Subscription issues are handled through Apple. Go to Settings > Apple ID > Subscriptions to view and manage BenchmarkMe. For billing problems, contact Apple Support directly. If Pro features aren't working after purchase, try Settings > Restore Purchases in BenchmarkMe. Payment failures often occur due to expired payment methods in your Apple ID settings.
Technical Requirements
System Requirements
📱 iOS Compatibility
iOS 14.0 or later required
🤖 Android Compatibility
Android 8.0 (API level 26) or higher
🌐 Internet Connection
Required for syncing and benchmark updates
💾 Storage Space
Minimum 150MB free space recommended
🔐 Permissions
Optional: Health app integration (iOS only)
📊 Data Usage
Approximately 5MB per month for syncing