MAE provides a growing library of tools designed to help you manage food allergies more effectively. These tools range from ingredient scanners to medication lookups, educational resources, and more.
The Tools System
Tools Tab
The Tools tab (fourth icon on bottom navigation) is your tool library:
- Browse all available tools
- See tool descriptions
- Discover new features
- Access any tool with one tap
Home Screen
The Home tab (first icon) shows your favorite tools:
- Quick access to frequently used tools
- Personalized based on your selections
- Clean, organized layout
- One-tap tool launching
How to Use Tools
Browsing Available Tools
- Open Tools Tab
- Tap the Tools icon (fourth from left) in bottom navigation
- See all available tools in a grid layout
- Explore Tools
- Each tool shows:
- Icon for quick recognition
- Name of the tool
- Brief description
- Scroll to see all available tools
- Launch a Tool
- Simply tap any tool to open it
- Tool opens immediately within the app
- Uses your current profile’s allergen data
Adding Tools to Home Screen
- Find a Useful Tool
- Browse the Tools tab
- Identify tools you’ll use frequently
- Add to Favorites
- Long press (press and hold) on the tool
- A dialog appears asking “Add to Home Screen?”
- Tap “Add” to confirm
- Access from Home
- Go to Home tab (first icon)
- Your favorited tools appear here
- Tap to launch instantly
Managing Home Screen Tools
To Remove a Tool from Home:
- Go to Tools tab
- Long press the tool that’s currently favorited
- Select “Remove from Home Screen”
To Rearrange Tools:
- Currently, tools appear in the order they were added
- Remove and re-add to change order
- Future updates will allow drag-to-reorder
Available Tool Categories
Scanning Tools
- Ingredient Scanner – Photograph product labels to detect allergens
- Barcode Scanner – Quick product lookup (coming soon)
Lookup Tools
- Barnivore – Check if beverages are vegan/allergen-free
- NDC Lookup – Search medications by NDC number
- Product Database – Search our allergen database
Tracking Tools
- Reaction Log – Track allergic reactions
- Food Diary – Log safe and unsafe foods
- Medication Tracker – Beyond just epinephrine
Educational Tools
- Allergen Guide – Learn about different allergens
- Cross-Contamination – Prevention tips
- Label Reading – Understanding ingredient lists
Communication Tools
- Allergy Card – Create printable allergy cards
- Restaurant Card – Multi-language dining cards
- Emergency Info – Quick access emergency details
Tips for Effective Tool Use
Choose Your Favorites Wisely
- Add tools you use daily to Home
- Keep Home screen uncluttered (6-9 tools max)
- Seasonal tools can be added/removed as needed
Profile-Aware Tools
- Most tools automatically use your active profile
- Switch profiles in the header before using tools
- Tools adapt to each person’s allergens
Tool Combinations
Some tools work great together:
- Shopping: Ingredient Scanner + Product Database
- Dining Out: Restaurant Card + Barnivore
- Medical: NDC Lookup + Medication Tracker
- Daily Management: Food Diary + Reaction Log
Understanding Tool Behavior
Tools Are Integrated
- Tools are part of MAE, not separate apps
- They share your profile data
- No need to re-enter allergen info
- Consistent experience throughout
Quick Access Design
- Home shortcuts save multiple taps
- Direct navigation from anywhere
- Tools remember their last state
- Fast loading for efficiency
Safety First
- Tools using allergen data always verify current profile
- Clear indicators show which profile is active
- Tools warn if no allergens are selected
- Emergency tools are always accessible
Troubleshooting
Tool Won’t Launch
- Ensure app is updated
- Check if tool requires specific profile settings
- Try force-closing and reopening app
- Report persistent issues
Can’t Add to Home
- Long press (don’t just tap)
- Hold for about 1 second
- Ensure you’re in Tools tab
- Check if already on Home
Tools Missing
- New tools appear after app updates
- Some tools may be region-specific
- Check if profile has required settings
- Tools may be temporarily disabled for updates
Home Screen Full
- Current limit is based on screen size
- Remove less-used tools first
- Prioritize daily-use tools
- Access other tools from Tools tab
Power User Tips
Quick Tool Switching
- Swipe between tools using back gesture
- Home screen allows rapid tool access
- Learn tool icons for faster recognition
Optimal Home Layout
- Most used tool in top-left
- Group similar tools together
- Emergency tools in consistent spot
- Leave room for new favorites
Maximizing Efficiency
- Launch tools from Home, not Tools tab
- Set up Home screen immediately after install
- Review and update favorites monthly
- Remove tools you haven’t used recently
Future Enhancements
Coming Soon
- Drag-and-drop home screen arrangement
- Tool suggestions based on usage
- Folder support for tool grouping
- Quick actions from long-press
- Widget support for instant access
Under Consideration
- Custom tool creation
- Tool sharing between users
- Cloud sync for favorites
- Gesture-based navigation
- Voice-activated tools
Getting Help
In-App Help
- Each tool has its own help section
- Look for ℹ️ icon within tools
- Tooltips explain features
Learning New Tools
- Try one new tool per week
- Read tool descriptions carefully
- Start with highly-rated tools
- Ask community for recommendations
Remember: Tools are here to make managing allergies easier. Start with a few essential tools on your Home screen, then explore and add more as you discover what helps you most!