Device and installation manual · adults 18+
iPhone and iOS setup for an AI companion
An iPhone can run a companion service as an App Store application, a Safari website or a site added to the Home Screen. Each route stores local data and requests access differently. This guide walks through the iOS checks in an order that minimizes surprises: identify the software, control previews, test text, grant limited media access and review local resource use.
Reviewed and updated
| iOS task | Where to inspect | Safer first choice | Variation to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verify a store app | App Store product page and Settings > General > iPhone Storage | Match developer and official link | Regional listing differences |
| Review website access | Safari page settings and Settings > Apps > Safari | Deny until feature use | Labels vary by iOS release |
| Limit photos | Privacy & Security > Photos | Selected photos where offered | Older versions can be broader |
| Hide alerts | Notifications > Show Previews | When Unlocked or Never | Focus modes can also suppress |
| Measure use | Battery and Cellular/Mobile Service | Compare a short test window | Counters use different periods |
Run this device check in order
- 01
Open Settings > General > About and note the iOS version.
- 02
Determine whether the icon is an App Store app or saved website.
- 03
Review Show Previews before enabling notifications.
- 04
Open text chat with optional permissions denied.
- 05
For an upload, choose limited photo access if offered.
- 06
Review Safari website data or the native app permission page.
- 07
Inspect Battery, Cellular and iPhone Storage after the test.
Confirm what the icon launches
Long-pressing an icon does not reliably explain whether it is native software or a saved website. Search for the product under Settings > General > iPhone Storage and review the App Store listing reached from an official source. A Safari home-screen item may not appear like a full native application and can depend on website data, Safari permissions and web-push support.
Match the developer or publisher identity, app name and official link rather than relying on a familiar logo. Store search results and advertising can contain similarly named products. If the official service offers only web access in your region, do not sideload an unrelated package or install a configuration profile as a substitute.
Set lock-screen privacy before the first alert
Open Settings > Notifications > Show Previews and choose the system-wide behavior you want. Then inspect the service or browser entry in Notifications. Banner style, badges, sounds and notification grouping are separate controls. Focus modes and Scheduled Summary can delay or regroup alerts, which can look like a delivery failure.
Send a harmless test while the iPhone is locked. Check an Apple Watch, Mac notification mirroring and CarPlay if those are connected. The goal is to see the actual preview path before any personal conversation appears. A provider’s in-app notification switch can reduce messages, but only iOS controls what the lock screen displays.
Use the iOS photo picker deliberately
When a native app asks for Photos access, iOS may offer none, selected photos or broader library access, depending on release and implementation. Select only the item needed for the immediate upload when that option exists. If the service opens the system file picker without persistent library permission, verify the selected filename and preview before sending.
Afterward, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Photos and find the relevant app. Safari uploads may use a picker without creating a permanent app-specific Photos entry. Do not infer that a file was not transmitted merely because no broad permission remains; the picker can authorize the chosen file.
Microphone, camera and speech features
Voice recording should trigger a microphone prompt when a native app or website first requests capture. Camera use should trigger its own prompt. Cancel when you did not initiate a recording or photo. Review Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone and Camera, plus Safari website settings for a web session. The orange or green indicators provide current access signals but are not a historical retention report.
If a voice feature fails after denial, change only the relevant permission and retry with non-sensitive audio. Keyboard dictation, Siri and uploaded audio are different paths with different settings. Identify which one you are using before troubleshooting.
Safari data, Private Browsing and home-screen use
Private Browsing reduces local history and tab persistence but does not hide the session from the website, network or account provider. A home-screen web app can use cookies or website data and may have different storage behavior from an ordinary tab. Safari’s Website Data controls can remove local site data, which may sign you out. It does not close the provider account.
If Add to Home Screen is available in the Share menu, note the exact URL before saving. Launch the icon, confirm the same account and test one basic action. If notification or upload behavior differs, document the difference rather than assuming the web app is broken. iOS and site implementation both influence those capabilities.
Storage, cellular and battery checks
Use Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see installed-app space and system recommendations. Safari downloads often appear in Files according to the Safari download setting; saved images may enter Photos and then iCloud Photos. Review both destinations. In Settings > Cellular or Mobile Service, inspect service or browser usage and understand the counter period before drawing conclusions.
Settings > Battery shows activity by app over available windows. Compare screen-on time and background activity. Low Power Mode, poor signal and repeated media playback can change the result. Test once on Wi-Fi and once only if you intentionally need a cellular measurement; do not generate large media batches merely to create a benchmark.
Evidence boundary
What product documentation and the current interface can confirm
Use the provider’s official pages and the version open on your device. Record only what is stated or visible now. A screen can confirm that a control is presented to this account; it cannot prove behavior for every region, plan, operating system or future release.
- The iOS version in About
- The current App Store publisher and version where a listing exists
- The specific Photos, Camera or Microphone prompt shown
- Whether Safari offers Add to Home Screen for the current page
- Notification preview behavior while the phone is locked
Version caveat: Apple changes Settings organization and web-app capabilities across iOS and iPadOS releases. Store availability and service screens can also differ by region and account.
Device questions
Frequently asked questions
Can I use an AI companion in Safari without installing it?
If the provider currently offers web access compatible with Safari, yes. Confirm the official web address and test the feature you need.
Does Selected Photos prevent the chosen image from being uploaded?
No. It limits library access but authorizes the files you select for the action.
Why did notifications stop in Low Power Mode or Focus?
Power and Focus settings can delay or suppress some activity. Review those panels before treating it as a service outage.
Optional next step
Apply the device checks to a current product surface
Only continue after you know which access method, permissions and notification settings you will accept. These links are sponsored; verify the current official interface and terms yourself.
Candy AIOpen the current product surface after completing the device preflight.Check current access →
OurDream AICompare the current app or web route on the device you intend to use.Check current access →
Joi AIInspect the available interface without assuming store and web parity.Check current access →
Darlink AIUse the guide first, then verify the exact media and permission flow shown.Check current access →Open the full product access directory
These are access links, not feature endorsements. Complete the compatibility checklist and verify the current product screen before granting permissions.
