Frequently Asked Questions

HelloSmile is available for free download with basic features. We also offer a premium subscription that unlocks additional features like advanced analytics, personalized coaching, and more comprehensive smile training exercises. You can check our current pricing on the app stores.

Yes! HelloSmile is available for download on both the Apple App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android), making it accessible to virtually all smartphone users.

Scientific research has shown that smiling, even intentionally, can trigger positive neurological responses in your brain. Regular smile practice can:

• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Boost your mood and overall happiness
• Improve social interactions
• Strengthen your immune system
• Make you appear more approachable and confident
• Create a positive feedback loop in your brain

HelloSmile is designed to be efficient and fit into your busy schedule. We recommend just 10 minutes of smile practice daily for optimal results. Some users choose to split this into two 5-minute sessions (morning and evening) for maximum benefit.

Setting up an account is simple:

1. Download the app from your device's app store
2. Open the app and click "Sign Up"
3. Create an account using your email or sign in with Google/Apple
4. Complete your profile with basic information
5. Grant camera permissions for smile detection
6. Follow the tutorial to learn how to use the app

Yes, creating an account is necessary to track your progress, earn Smile Coins, and advance through levels. Your account allows you to access your data across multiple devices and ensures your progress is saved.

The HelloSmile app includes a comprehensive dashboard that shows:

• Your current level and progress to the next level
• Total Smile Coins earned
• Daily practice streak
• Weekly and monthly practice statistics
• Smile quality improvement over time

You can access this dashboard from the main menu by tapping on "My Progress."

Yes, most features of HelloSmile work offline. You can complete your daily smile practice without an internet connection. However, some features like syncing your progress across devices, participating in community challenges, or updating your profile require an internet connection. Your offline activity will sync with our servers the next time you're connected.

HelloSmile allows you to set custom reminders for your daily practice. Go to Settings > Reminders and choose your preferred time(s). You can set multiple reminders throughout the day and customize the notification message.

HelloSmile uses Google's ML Kit for facial recognition technology to detect and analyze your smile. The app identifies key facial markers associated with genuine smiles, including:

• Upward curving of the lips
• Activation of muscles around the eyes (crow's feet)
• Cheek movement
• Overall facial symmetry

This allows the app to distinguish between authentic smiles (Duchenne smiles) and forced smiles, ensuring your practice is effective.

A good smile, according to HelloSmile's detection algorithm, is one that shows genuine positive emotion rather than just a movement of the lips. Key elements include:

• Engagement of both the zygomatic major muscle (raises the corners of your mouth) and the orbicularis oculi muscle (crinkles the eyes)
• Natural, symmetrical expression
• Sustained expression rather than a quick flash

The app provides real-time feedback to help you improve your smile quality during practice sessions.

Absolutely! Regular smile practice with HelloSmile can significantly boost your confidence in several ways:

• The act of smiling triggers positive neurological responses, improving your mood and self-perception
• Practicing in front of a camera helps you become more comfortable with your appearance
• As you become more accustomed to smiling naturally, social interactions become easier and more positive
• The gamification aspects of the app provide a sense of achievement as you progress

Many users report significant improvements in social confidence after just a few weeks of consistent practice.

Results vary from person to person, but most users report noticeable benefits within 2-3 weeks of daily practice. These often include improved mood, more positive social interactions, and a growing comfort with smiling naturally.

More substantial benefits, such as lasting changes to your default emotional state and significant improvements in confidence, typically emerge after 1-2 months of consistent practice.

Remember, like any form of exercise, consistency is key to seeing lasting results.

Yes! HelloSmile offers various smile exercises designed to work different facial muscles and develop different aspects of your smile:

• Basic Smile: A gentle, natural smile to develop muscle memory
• Full Smile: A broader, more expressive smile that engages more facial muscles
• Eyes Smile: Focused on developing the eye crinkle associated with genuine smiles
• Sustained Smile: Holding your smile for extended periods to build stamina
• Smile Transitions: Practicing moving naturally into and out of smiles

Premium users get access to additional specialized exercises and personalized recommendations.

Smile Points are the virtual currency within the HelloSmile app. They serve as both a reward system and a measure of your progress. You earn Smile Points primarily by completing your daily 10-minute smile practice sessions, with additional points awarded for consistency, quality improvements, and achieving special milestones.

You can earn Smile Points in several ways:

• Daily Practice: 10 points for completing your 10-minute session
• Consistency Streaks: Bonus points for practicing 3, 7, 14, and 30 days in a row
• Quality Improvements: Bonus points when your smile quality score improves
• Achievements: Special one-time rewards for reaching milestones
• Community Challenges: Participate in time-limited events for bonus points

Smile Points primarily serve to track your progress and advance through the app's levels. As you accumulate points, you'll automatically progress through different levels (Beginner, Enthusiast, Expert, and Master), unlocking new features and benefits with each advancement.

Additionally, you can use Smile Points to:

• Unlock special practice exercises
• Customize your profile and app interface
• Access exclusive content and tips
• Participate in special challenges

The level requirements are:

• Beginner: 0-100 Smile Points
• Enthusiast: 101-500 Smile Points
• Expert: 501-1000 Smile Points
• Master: 1000+ Smile Points

Each level unlocks additional features and benefits to enhance your smile practice experience.

No, once you've earned Smile Points, they remain in your account permanently. However, if you're maintaining a practice streak for bonus points, missing a day will reset your streak counter, potentially affecting future bonus point earnings.

HelloSmile requires the following permissions:

• Camera: Essential for detecting and analyzing your smile
• Notifications: For daily practice reminders (optional but recommended)
• Storage: To save your progress data locally
• Internet: To sync your data across devices and update the app

We only use these permissions for their stated purposes and in accordance with our privacy policy.

HelloSmile takes your privacy very seriously. Here's our approach to handling your facial data:

• Facial analysis happens in real-time on your device
• We do not store actual images or videos of your face on our servers
• Only anonymized metrics (smile quality scores, practice duration, etc.) are uploaded to our servers
• Your data is never sold or shared with third parties for advertising purposes

For complete details, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

The HelloSmile app is designed to be lightweight, typically requiring between 50-100MB of storage space depending on your device and operating system. As you use the app, cached data might increase this slightly, but you can clear the cache in settings without losing your progress data.

For optimal smile detection, HelloSmile requires adequate lighting. The app includes a light detection feature that will alert you if your environment is too dark for accurate smile analysis. For best results, practice in a well-lit area with even lighting on your face. Natural daylight or a soft front-facing light source works best.

We're committed to making HelloSmile the best experience possible. If you encounter any bugs or issues:

1. Go to Settings > Help & Support > Report a Problem
2. Fill out the form with as much detail as possible
3. If available, include screenshots or screen recordings of the issue

You can also email us directly at support@hellosmile.app or contact us through our website's contact form.