Most troubleshooting issues are solved by quitting the app from multi-tasking (and you can use this on any app that's giving you a hard time):
Devices with a home button:
Double click the home button and you'll see thumbnails of your most recently used apps in a scrollable grid. Swipe upwards on the thumbnail to dismiss it, then relaunch the app.
Devices with face recognition:
Swipe part way up from the bottom of the screen until you see a shrunk-down image of the app appear from the left. Swipe upwards on that image to dismiss it, then relaunch the app.
If the issue persists, restarting your phone will often help.
Always be sure you have a backup! If you don't, you could lose your recipes forever, and there won't be anything we can do for you. Srsly, make sure you have copies of your recipes on another device, or follow Apple's steps to create a file backup:
Windows: https://support.apple.com/guide/itunes/transfer-files-itns32636/windows
Mac: https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/transfer-files-sync-content-finder-itunes-ipha6cc65c42/ios
Q:Which websites work with Instant Import?
A:Any recipe which shows up in a google search with a photo card should be importable. Plus you can import the same recipes from Safari and other web browsers now as you do with the built-in browser. Try opening the action menu when you're in Safari or Chrome and scroll down until you see the raspberry icon.
Q:How do I get my recipes from my iPad to the iPhone?
A:Use Recipe Link to sync your collection or whenever you add new recipes. Recipe Link checks for duplicates so it only takes a few seconds to update, rather than a few minutes to get the whole collection.
Tip: If you want to take a picture with your iPhone and copy that to your iPad, just delete the recipe from your iPad first so it will copy over.
Q:I can't get Recipe Link to work!
A:Here are some basic troubleshooting tips that can help solve issues:
Q:Recipe Link is very, very slow.
A:Check to see if one of your devices has Bluetooth on (you'll see the bluetooth icon in the status bar next to the battery percentage). If it is indeed on, exit recipe link and go to your device settings to turn bluetooth off. Then try Recipe Link again. It should be much faster!
Q:How do I delete a single recipe?
A:There are two ways: 1) Open the recipe in Cook mode. Tap the trash can button in the recipe header. You’ll be asked to confirm that you do, indeed, want to delete the recipe. Or, 2) In Browse mode, tap the trash can that's under the title of each recipe card. You’ll be asked to confirm.
Q:How do I edit a recipe?
A:With the recipe open in Cook Mode, tap the button with the pencil on it. Or tap the pencil in the list view.
Q:How do I delete categories?
A:You can edit categories in the settings page.
Q:How do I make a copy of a recipe?
A:Enter the entry mode by tapping the pencil icon. Change the name. Tap done. The Recipe Box will ask if you want to change the name of the recipe, or add a new one based on the current one. This is great for folks who like to experiment, and make notes based on different ingredients.
Q:Can I scan my recipes, then get the Recipe Box to import them?
A:Yes, you can use your iPad camera to scan text of any recipe. You can go field by field, or choose ingredients and directions, scan the whole text, and copy and paste into the appropriate field. To activate the scanner, just tap a text field. There should be a Scan Text button in the autocorrect area of the keyboard.
Q:How do I add my own photo to a recipe?
A:If you already have the photo you want to use stored in your iPad photo album, you can tap the photo place holder in either cook mode or in edit mode to open the photo enlarger. You’ll have the option to access your album, open the camera and shoot a picture, or surf images on the web. If you choose a photo from the web browser, you'll be asked to double tap on the image you want, and you'll see a checkmark when it's done. When you close the photo window you'll be reminded to save.
From browse you can also drag photos in split view over to the Recipe Box. Tap the three dots at the top of the screen, choose split view, and then Photos. You'll need to be in the Photo list view to activate dragging.
Q:How do I delete the recipes that came with the Recipe Box?
A:You can easily delete the recipes that we included with the Recipe Box. Just go to the settings page (tap the question mark icon on the bottom right corner, then choose Settings.) You'll see the option when you scroll down. If you decide you really want Kathy’s dad’s meatloaf or Vibrata’s mom’s risotto there’s another button to reimport them.
Q:Where did the special keys on the keyboard go?
A:At the top right of your iPad's default keyboard, you'll see a special keyboard icon with an eye. Tap that to see the keyboard. Tap it again to dismiss it.
Q: How do those beautiful ornaments show up in my ingredients list?
A:While entering a recipe, simply add a blank line to the ingredients list with an extra tap of the return key.
Q:Can I import recipes from another user of the Recipe Box?
A:Yes! Importing is available via email or via Recipe Link.
Q:How come the Recipe Box emailed fewer cards than I selected?
A:The Recipe Box does not mail its own recipes in Browse mode...that saves space when mailing. If you really want to send them, you can do it one at a time from Cook mode.
Q:How do I email photos with my recipes?
A:Using the Email icon in the lower row of options in Cook Mode, you can send a specialized recipe file that can be imported by another device with the Recipe Box installed. The file will include the photo. You can also email a print-ready PDF of the recipe through the Export option in the central row of icons in Cook Mode. Select the Export button, choose Print, then at the top of the Print window you'll see another Export button that gives you the option to email the recipe as a PDF, which includes the photo. This PDF export method can also be accomplished in browse mode with a group of recipes using the Print icon in the lower menu row.
Q:How do I get to the list of recipes when I’m looking at a single recipe?
A:In the latest update we added a Back button (a left-pointing arrow) that you'll find in the upper right corner. Please make sure you've updated to the latest version, available in the iTunes App Store.
Q:I’m looking at a long list of recipes. How do I get back to the top?
A:In the Recipe Box for iPad, tap the Recipe Box logo. In both the Recipe Box and the Recipe Box To Go, tap your device's status bar where it shows the time.
Q:I want to browse through my recipes in Cook mode.
A:Swipe across the recipe screen with two fingers in either direction. You’ll be moving forward or backward through whatever list you’ve called up while in any browse mode category, or search. It might be a little tricky. What helps is to have the top finger above the bottom one, rather than side-by-side. In testing is ourselves, we find that a thumb and middle finger work quite well.
Q:I want to see more directions when I’m cooking. How do I do that?
A:(iPad only) Tap the directions tab to expand it. Tap it again to make it collapse.
Q:Can I change the font size to be bigger or smaller?
A:Absolutely. The app will update the font size according to your Dynamic Type settings. Go to your Settings app. Select Accesibility > Larger Text.
Q:Can I import recipes directly from a website into the Recipe Box?
A:Yes.
Q:Can you make an iPhone version of the Recipe Box and sync it with my iPad?
Q:Can the Recipe Box scale ingredient amounts if I change the number of servings?
A:Our number one focus when designing this app was to make entering a recipe easy, fast and fun. We made that possible by allowing users to simply plop a whole paragraph of text into the entry screen without having to individually enter each ingredient separately. In order to do recipe scaling effectively, we would need users to enter amount, unit of measurement and ingredient each in their own little box. What a chore, especially if it's a complex recipe! So we made a choice to leave out recipe scaling.
Q:Can I import recipes from a program on my PC?
A: Not at this time, no. Stay tuned!
Q:I don’t see my question here. What should I do?
A:Come find us on Facebook!
If you want to export your recipe as a PDF, use the print function from the share menu. Tap the share button, then tap print, but instead of selecting "Print" from the upper right corner of the print dialogue box, tap the action button right next to that. You'll be able to create a PDF from there that you can save in your iPad files.
From Briana L.: “My husband installed one of those plate hangers from the hardware store on the wall. This frees space on my counter, I can view my recipes at eye level, and it prevents flour and eggs from getting on my iPad.”
We often get asked if you can add other items to the shopping list that aren't from your recipes. Our best tip is to create a "shopping list recipe" and use the ingredient list to add your favorite grocery items.