Frequently Asked Questions
How does automatic tracking work?
Days in State uses your iPhone's GPS to detect when you cross state lines. The app runs in the background using iOS's "significant location change" feature, which is battery-efficient and triggers when you move approximately 500 meters. When a state change is detected, a record is created automatically.
Does this drain my battery?
No. Days in State uses iOS's most battery-efficient location monitoring. We don't continuously track your location—we only wake up when iOS detects a significant location change. Most users see no noticeable impact on battery life.
What if I forget to open the app?
That's fine! Background tracking works even when the app isn't open. As long as location permissions are enabled, the app will record state changes automatically. You can also manually add entries for any days you might have missed.
How does iCloud backup work?
Days in State is an iPhone-only app, but Pro users can back up their data to iCloud for safety. To enable:
- Open Settings in the app
- Toggle on "iCloud Backup"
Your data is backed up automatically. If you lose your phone or get a new one, you can restore all your records with one tap.
Is my location data private?
Yes, completely. Your data is stored on your device and, if you enable iCloud backup, in your private iCloud account. We never see, store, or have access to your location data. There are no analytics, no tracking, no servers on our end. Read our
Privacy Policy for full details.
Can I edit or delete records?
Yes. Tap any day in the calendar view to see details and make edits. You can:
- Change the state/country
- Adjust the day type (full day, partial, travel through)
- Add context labels (business, vacation, residence)
- Delete individual records
All changes are logged in the audit trail.
What's the difference between Free and Pro?
Free includes automatic state tracking and shows the last 30 days. Pro adds full tax year history, calendar view, CPA-ready exports, accountant sharing, and iCloud backup. Pro is available as a monthly subscription, annual subscription, or one-time lifetime purchase.
How do I export my data for my CPA?
With Pro, go to Settings → Export Data. You can generate a CSV file with all your presence records, including dates, locations, day counts, and confidence scores. Share the file directly with your tax professional via email, AirDrop, or any other method.
What does "confidence score" mean?
The confidence score indicates the evidentiary strength of each record:
- 1.0 (100%) - GPS detected + user confirmed
- 0.9 (90%) - GPS detected automatically
- 0.7 (70%) - Manual entry (user claim)
User-confirmed records carry the most weight for audit defense.
Does the app provide tax advice?
No. Days in State tracks WHERE you were and WHEN—that's it. We do not calculate tax thresholds, determine residency, or provide any tax advice. Always consult a qualified tax professional for tax-related decisions.
How do I restore my purchase on a new device?
Go to Settings in the app and tap "Restore Purchases." Make sure you're signed into the same Apple ID you used for the original purchase. Your Pro subscription or lifetime purchase will be restored automatically.
How do I cancel my subscription?
Subscriptions are managed through Apple:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone
- Tap your name at the top
- Tap Subscriptions
- Find Days in State and tap Cancel Subscription
You'll continue to have Pro access until the end of your billing period. Your data is never deleted when your subscription ends.