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UnitLens User Guide
Get detailed nutritional information and insights about grocery and food items to make informed choices.
Table of Contents
1
Getting Started
How do I scan my first product?
Open the app and tap the "Scan" tab. Point your camera at a product barcode. The app will automatically detect and scan the barcode. View detailed nutrition information instantly.
Can I enter a barcode manually?
Yes! Tap "Enter Barcode Manually" below the scanner. Type the barcode number (found under the barcode on the product). Tap "Search" to look up the product.
How do I set up my allergen profile?
Go to Settings. Tap "Manage Allergens". Select from common allergens (Milk, Eggs, Fish, Shellfish, Tree nuts, Peanuts, Wheat, Soybeans, Sesame) or add custom allergens. The app will automatically alert you when scanned products contain your allergens.
How do I enable iCloud sync?
Go to Settings. Toggle "Enable iCloud Sync". Ensure you're signed into iCloud on your device. Your favorites will automatically sync across all devices. Note: A restart is required for sync changes to take effect.
2
Scanning Products
What types of barcodes does UnitLens support?
EAN-13 (most common for food products), EAN-8 (smaller packages), UPC-A (common in North America), and ITF-14 (shipping containers).
Can I scan from my photo library?
Yes! Tap the photo icon in the scanner view. Select an image containing a barcode. The app will detect and scan the barcode from the image.
Why wasn't my product found?
The product may not be in the Open Food Facts database yet. Try entering the barcode manually to double-check. You can contribute the missing product to help others.
3
Understanding Nutrition Data
What is Nutri-Score?
Nutri-Score is a nutrition label that rates food quality from A (best) to E (worst): A (Green) = Excellent nutritional quality, B (Light Green) = Good nutritional quality, C (Yellow) = Average nutritional quality, D (Orange) = Poor nutritional quality, E (Red) = Very poor nutritional quality.
What is NOVA classification?
NOVA classifies foods by their level of processing: Group 1 = Unprocessed or minimally processed foods, Group 2 = Processed culinary ingredients, Group 3 = Processed foods, Group 4 = Ultra-processed foods.
What's the difference between "per 100g" and "per serving"?
Per 100g: Standardized values for easy comparison between products. Per serving: Values based on the manufacturer's suggested serving size.
Why is some nutrition data missing?
Not all products have complete nutrition information in the database. Contributors add data over time. You can help by contributing missing information.
4
Allergen Alerts
How do allergen alerts work?
Set your allergens in Settings > Manage Allergens. When you scan a product containing your allergens, you'll see a warning. The specific allergens found are highlighted in the product details.
What allergens can I track?
Milk, Eggs, Fish, Shellfish, Tree nuts, Peanuts, Wheat, Soybeans, Sesame, and custom allergens you add.
Are allergen alerts 100% accurate?
Allergen data comes from Open Food Facts contributors. Always verify allergen information on the actual product label. Use alerts as a helpful guide, not a substitute for reading labels.
5
Favorites
How do I save a product to favorites?
View any product's details. Tap the heart icon in the toolbar. The product is now saved to your Favorites.
How do I remove a product from favorites?
Go to the Favorites tab. Swipe left on the product you want to remove. Tap to confirm removal.
6
Comparing Products
How do I compare products side-by-side?
Open the Compare view (available on iPad). Search or add products to compare (up to 6). View nutrition values in a side-by-side grid.
What metrics are compared?
Energy (kcal), Fat and Saturated Fat, Carbohydrates and Sugars, Fiber, Protein, and Salt and Sodium.
7
Dietary Preferences
What dietary preferences can I set?
Go to Settings to configure: Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Keto, and preferred units (Metric or Imperial).
8
Troubleshooting
The camera won't start
Check that UnitLens has camera permission in your device Settings > Privacy > Camera. Restart the app if the camera appears frozen. Ensure no other app is using the camera.
My favorites aren't syncing
Confirm iCloud sync is enabled in Settings. Verify you're signed into the same iCloud account on all devices. Check your internet connection. Restart the app after enabling sync.
Barcode won't scan
Ensure adequate lighting on the barcode. Hold the camera steady about 6 inches from the barcode. Try the flashlight button for low-light conditions. If damaged, enter the barcode manually.
9
Privacy and Security
What data does UnitLens collect?
All personal data (favorites, allergen settings) is stored locally and in your private iCloud account. No personal information is shared with third parties.
Is my data secure?
All iCloud data is encrypted using Apple's enterprise-grade security. No account or login required. You maintain complete control over your information.
Can I use UnitLens offline?
Yes, core features work offline. Previously viewed products are cached. New scans require internet to fetch product data. Contributions queue offline and sync when connected.
10
Data Sources
Where does the nutrition data come from?
Open Food Facts, a free and open database with over 3 million products. Data is contributed by users worldwide. Licensed under the Open Database License (ODbL).
How accurate is the data?
Data quality varies by product and contributor. Popular products typically have verified, accurate data. Always cross-reference with actual product labels for critical decisions.