Frequently Asked Questions
Platform support, account registration, data storage & sync, redemption codes and more
Welcome to StaghornPal. Here, every staghorn fern deserves to be carefully documented.
Supported Platforms
Currently only iPhone (iOS 18 and above) is supported.
Download the App
Scan the QR code to download StaghornPal
Do I Need to Register?
No, just download and use
StaghornPal advocates “instant access”. We don’t collect your phone number, email, or any personal information. This is your private garden with your staghorn ferns—after downloading and installing, you’re the master here.
Data Storage & Sync
Data Storage Logic
StaghornPal data is stored locally with no central server. This means your photos, records, and notes are only stored on your device, so you don’t have to worry about data leaks.
What If I Change Phones?
Through Apple’s iCloud technology, data syncs directly via iCloud. This means no matter how many devices you have (iPhone/iPad), as long as you’re logged in with the same iCloud account, StaghornPal data will sync automatically—no worries when switching phones.
What is iCloud Sync?
When an app’s data is bound to iCloud, it means the app syncs and backs up your specific user data (not the app itself) to your iCloud account, automatically keeping it consistent across all Apple devices under the same Apple ID, subject to iCloud storage quotas and Apple privacy rules.
Prerequisites:
- You’re logged into Apple ID with iCloud enabled
- On iPhone: Settings → Apple ID at top → iCloud → Show All → Find StaghornPal App, turn on sync toggle (same steps to turn off)
Is Data Import Supported?
Yes, both batch import of plants and batch import of photos taken at different times for the same staghorn fern are supported.
Batch Import Plants (CSV)
Before starting data migration, you need to get StaghornPal’s dedicated template. This is not just a spreadsheet—it’s a data organization system we’ve designed for you.
1. Get CSV Template from StaghornPal App
In StaghornPal: Settings → Scroll to Data Management at bottom → Batch Import Plants → Export Template
2. Template Guidelines & Symbol Rules
To ensure data is read accurately, please note when filling out the CSV:
- ✅ Allowed characters: Only “space” and ”&”
- ❌ Avoid these pitfalls: Don’t use parentheses, commas, or line breaks. These symbols interfere with system parsing
- Acquisition date should follow
2024-01-01format - Each column corresponds to important plant information—you can use our preset options or define your own
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Your staghorn fern’s name, spaces and & allowed |
| Species | Choose from presets (P. bifurcatum, P. willinckii, P. superbum, etc.) or create your own |
| Source | Gift from friend, online marketplace, live stream, etc. |
| Original Nursery | Many nurseries exist, we recommend creating your own |
| Price | Enter number |
| Growth Stage | Spore sowing, Germinating, Gametophyte, True leaf, Seedling (unmounted), Mounted, Small sub-adult, Sub-adult, Mature (sporulating) |
| Growth Status | In humidity box, Emerging face, Emerging hand, Sporulating, Spores mature, Dwarf, Petrified, Bud point, Crested, Decapitated, Needs attention, Sick, Dormant |
| Status | Self-cultivating, Foster care, Deceased, Gifted away, Sold |
| Group | Custom, e.g. location (Living room, Bedroom, etc.) |
| Acquisition Date | Format: 2024-01-01 |
| Photo Reminder Days | Enter number |
| Notes | Free text |
3. Congratulations, You Can Now Batch Import Plants
In StaghornPal: Settings → Scroll to Data Management at bottom → Batch Import Plants → Import Data → Select your spreadsheet (CSV format)
❗ Important Notes:
- Make sure to export the spreadsheet as CSV file
- Free users can record up to 10 staghorn ferns, Premium users have unlimited records
- If import fails, check for character issues or date format problems
Batch Import Photos
Once you have profiles, you can also link all those scattered old photos from your album at once. Just select photos of this fern from different time periods, and StaghornPal will automatically arrange them precisely on the timeline based on the photos’ EXIF time information.
Steps:
- Find the staghorn fern you want to edit (search by name)
- In StaghornPal, find the fern → Settings icon on right → Import Photos → Select Photos
❗ Batch upload is a Premium feature
Is Data Backup Supported?
Yes, both data-only backup and data + photos backup are supported.
Plants fear drought, data fears loss. Although iCloud sync exists, we also recommend regular physical backups:
Full Backup (with Photos)
This is an encrypted archive containing all your text profiles and precious growth photos. We recommend storing it in your personal cloud drive or computer. This is the ultimate “insurance”—even if iCloud has issues, you can recover your entire garden with this.
In StaghornPal: Settings → Scroll to Data Management at bottom → Full Backup (with Photos) → Select backup storage location
🔐 Backup file is encrypted
Export Metadata
A structured spreadsheet containing only text information (species, dates, sources, etc.). Useful for deep data analysis in Excel or creating personal care annual reports.
In StaghornPal: Settings → Scroll to Data Management at bottom → Export Metadata (CSV) → Select backup storage location
How to Use Redemption Codes
If you received a redemption code from a friend or promotion, follow these steps to claim your gift:
Before redeeming, confirm:
- You’ve downloaded and opened “StaghornPal” on iPhone
- Your Apple ID is properly logged in
Redemption steps:
On iPhone: App Store → Apple ID icon (top right) → Redeem Gift Card or Code → Enter redemption code → Redeem