How does Apple Health or Health Connect access work?
Settings → Health has one checklist with four default-off choices: Read body weight,
Write body weight, Export finished workouts, and Read daily steps. Benchpresso
requests the newly selected access in one batch only after you confirm the
checklist—never at startup. External body weight and step samples are read live for
Stats and are not copied into the Benchpresso database, export, or cloud copy.
Why is Health data missing, or why did a write fail?
Permission may be limited, denied, revoked, or unavailable on that device. Missing
step days stay missing rather than becoming zero, and Stats shows when the platform
returned only part of a selected range. Benchpresso saves body weight and finished
workouts locally first, so a Health write failure never rolls back your log; use the
shown retry or re-export action after access is restored.
Does Benchpresso send workouts to Strava?
Not currently. Benchpresso has no Strava account control or connection, and workouts
written by another app to Apple Health cannot be treated as a Strava relay. A direct
Strava connection would require a separately reviewed account and server-backed
authorization flow.
Why are there no exercises or presets after install?
A new Benchpresso library intentionally starts empty. Create the exercises and
presets that match your own training; the app does not seed a generic catalog.
Where are my workouts and photos stored?
Workouts, exercises, presets, settings, and optional exercise photos are stored in
Benchpresso’s application storage on your device. Selected exercise photos are
processed locally into an app-managed copy. If you create an optional account, a
photo-free private copy of records can also be stored by Benchpresso; photos are not
included.
Does Benchpresso sync my workouts?
An optional account can keep a photo-free Benchpresso cloud copy. SQLite on your
device remains the working source, offline tracking continues normally, and the app
asks instead of silently overwriting when both copies changed. This is separate from
iCloud/CloudKit, Google Drive, and operating-system device backup.
How do account activation and password reset work?
Anyone may create an optional account from Settings. Benchpresso emails an
activation link before cloud copy, Gym Buddies, or leaderboards become available;
local workout tracking remains available while activation is pending. If you forget
your password, use Forgot password and enter your email address or exact
@username. The app shows the same response whether or not an account
exists. A valid single-use reset link lets you choose a new password and signs out
every existing Benchpresso session.
How do I make a separate copy of my data?
Use Export data in Settings and choose a destination in the operating system’s share
sheet or document picker. A full export can contain workout records, locally entered
body weight, and optional exercise photos. It does not contain external Health
samples, Health permissions, or Health write status. Exports are not promised to be
encrypted by Benchpresso, so save them somewhere you trust.
What happens when I import a full export?
Version 1 import validates the archive locally, creates and verifies a local
rollback copy, then replaces the Benchpresso data on that device. It is not a merge.
The rollback copy can remain in app cache for up to seven days, and Settings lets
you choose to share a copy somewhere you control.
Is sharing one preset different from a full export?
Yes. A preset document contains only its name, ordered exercise names and types, and
optional strength or cardio suggestions. It contains no workout history, photos,
completion state, or internal IDs. Import reviews exercise identity choices and adds
only the reviewed exercises and one preset.
Why is a workout missing from History or Stats?
History and statistics count only completed sets in finished workouts. Suggested,
blank, or incomplete rows do not count. A weighted set needs at least one
repetition; weightless completed strength sets still count toward sets and reps.
Does adding a photo upload it?
No. Photo access is optional and begins only when you choose a photo action. The
selected image is processed locally and is not uploaded to a Benchpresso service. If
adding a photo fails, check permission and available device storage.
What does sharing a workout card send?
Benchpresso renders a new PNG on your device. After you choose Share image…, only
that generated image is handed to the app you select in the operating system’s share
sheet. The source background image, database, exercise photos, and export are not
sent separately. There is no Meta/Instagram-specific sharing integration.
How do I erase everything?
Use Erase all Benchpresso data in Settings. It removes the live local database,
app-managed photos, settings, generated workout-card cache, and temporary transfer
files from that device. It does not delete an optional account. Use Delete account
and cloud data under Account for that separate action; local records stay on the
device. Neither action can recall exports, operating-system backups, or a buddy’s
already imported copy. It resets Benchpresso’s device-local Health controls but does
not delete body weight or workouts already written to Apple Health or Health
Connect; manage those in the platform Health app. See
account deletion help.