Cloud storage lets you sync your allergen profiles, Food Finds, and Reaction Diary data across devices and share with family members through Google Drive. This is a premium feature that maintains HIPAA compliance by keeping all medical data in your own Google Drive account. This is a premium feature available to MAE subscribers.
Requirements
- MAE Premium subscription ($3.99/month)
- Google account
- Internet connection for sync
Setup Instructions
Step 1: Subscribe to MAE Premium
- Open Settings tab
- In About section, tap “Get MAE Premium”
- Subscribe for $3.99/month
- Wait for subscription to activate
Step 2: Connect Google Account
- Go to Settings → Data card
- Toggle “Cloud Sync” switch to ON
- Sign in with your Google account
- IMPORTANT: Grant permission to “See, edit, create, and delete all of your Google Drive files”
- After signing in, you’ll see a folder selection dialog:
- If MAE-Data folders exist (owned or shared), you’ll see a list to choose from
- Select the folder you want to use and tap “Select”
- If no folders exist, MAE will create a new “MAE-Data” folder for you
- The selected folder will be shown in Settings under your email address
Step 3: Verify Connection
- Cloud Sync toggle shows ON state
- Connected account email is displayed
- Folder shows “MAE-Data (Owned by you)”
- Last sync time is shown
Using Cloud Storage
Manual Sync
- In Food Finds, tap the sync button in the top toolbar to pull latest changes
- In Reaction Diary, tap the sync button in the top toolbar for bidirectional sync
- In Profile drawer, swipe down to refresh all profiles from cloud
- Last sync time shown in Settings under Cloud Sync status
Automatic Sync
- Profiles sync automatically when you make changes (allergens, contacts, reactions)
- Food Finds sync automatically when you add or edit products
- Background sync when opening items pulls latest changes from other devices
Sharing with Family
Option 1: Share Your MAE-Data Folder
- Open Google Drive app or website
- Find “MAE-Data” folder
- Right-click → Share (or tap Share button)
- Add family member’s email address
- Set permission to “Editor” so they can add/edit data
- Send the invitation
Option 2: Connect to Shared Folder
When a family member shares their MAE-Data folder with you:
- Check your email for the Google Drive share invitation
- Click “Open” in the invitation to accept
- In MAE app, go to Settings → Data card
- If already connected, toggle Cloud Sync OFF then ON again
- Sign in with your Google account
- MAE will detect the shared folder and prompt you to select it
- Folder will show “MAE-Data (Shared by: [owner’s email])”
Option 3: Use Same Google Account
- Sign in with same Google account on multiple devices
- All devices sync to same MAE-Data folder
- Best for parents managing children’s devices
Troubleshooting
“Drive scope not granted” Error
This happens when you connected before the folder selection feature was added.
To fix:
- Go to Settings → Data card
- Toggle “Cloud Sync” OFF
- Confirm disconnection
- Toggle “Cloud Sync” ON again
- Sign in with Google account
- Grant FULL Drive permissions when prompted
- Select your folder from the list
“Premium Feature” Dialog
You need an active MAE Premium subscription. Click “Upgrade Now” to subscribe.
Can’t See Shared Data
- Make sure you accepted the Drive share invitation in your email
- Verify the shared folder appears in your Google Drive under “Shared with me”
- In MAE Settings → Data card:
- Toggle Cloud Sync OFF
- Wait a moment
- Toggle Cloud Sync ON
- Sign in again with your Google account
- Check that folder shows “Shared by: [owner’s email]”
Sync Not Working
- Check internet connection
- Verify subscription is active
- Try disconnect and reconnect
- Check available Google Drive storage
- Ensure you have granted full Drive permissions when signing in
Privacy & Security
- Your data stays in your Google Drive
- Only you control who has access
- MAE cannot see your data
- No data on MAE servers
What Gets Synced
- Food Finds entries (barcode products you’ve scanned)
- Reaction Diary entries (allergy reaction records)
- Allergen profiles (complete medical data including reactions, epi pens, emergency contacts)
What Stays Local
- App settings (stays local to each device)
Best Practices
- Sync before switching devices
- Keep subscription active for continuous sync
- Regular Google account backups recommended
- Share folder only with trusted family members
Step-by-Step: Linking to Shared Data
When someone shares their MAE-Data folder with you:
1. Accept the Share Invitation
- Check your email for a message from Google Drive
- Subject will be “[Name] shared ‘MAE-Data’ with you”
- Click the “Open” button in the email
- This adds the folder to your Google Drive under “Shared with me”
2. Connect MAE to the Shared Folder
- Open MAE app on your device
- Go to Settings tab
- Open the “Data” card (tap to expand)
- If you’re already connected to your own folder:
- Toggle “Cloud Sync” OFF
- Confirm disconnection when prompted
- Toggle “Cloud Sync” ON
- Sign in with YOUR Google account (not the sharer’s)
- Grant Drive permissions when prompted
- Choose the shared MAE-Data folder when the list appears
3. Verify You’re Using the Shared Folder
- After connecting, check the folder info
- It should show: “MAE-Data (Shared by: [owner’s email])”
- If it shows “(Owned by you)”, you’re using your own folder instead
4. Start Syncing
- Go to Food Finds
- Tap the sync button (circular arrows icon)
- You’ll now see all shared Food Finds entries
- Any items you add will be visible to the folder owner
Important Notes
- You must have MAE Premium subscription to use cloud features
- Both the sharer and you need active subscriptions
- The folder owner can revoke access at any time
- If multiple MAE-Data folders exist, the app will ask you to choose one
Need Help?
- Check connection status in Settings → Data card
- Toggle shows ON/OFF state
- Connected account and sync time shown when connected
- To disconnect: Toggle Cloud Sync OFF (will ask for confirmation)
- Contact support: alifemakingallergieseasy@gmail.com
