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Authentication

ShopSync uses Firebase Authentication to secure your data and provide seamless access across devices.

Sign In Methods

ShopSync supports multiple authentication methods:

The easiest and most secure way to sign in:

  1. Click "Sign in with Google"
  2. Select your Google account
  3. Grant necessary permissions
  4. You're in!

Benefits:

  • ✅ No password to remember
  • ✅ Fast and secure
  • ✅ Works across all platforms
  • ✅ Automatic profile picture

Email and Password

Sign up with your email address:

  1. Click "Sign up with Email"
  2. Enter your email address
  3. Create a secure password
  4. Verify your email (check spam folder)
  5. Sign in with your credentials

Password Requirements:

  • Minimum 6 characters
  • Mix of letters and numbers recommended
  • Special characters allowed

First Time Setup

After your first sign-in:

  1. Welcome Screen - Brief introduction to ShopSync
  2. Permissions (Android only)
  3. Storage - Save list exports
  4. Profile Setup - Your name and photo are automatically imported from Google

Account Management

View Profile

Access your profile from the home screen:

  1. Tap the profile icon (top right)
  2. View your:
  3. Display name
  4. Email address
  5. Account creation date
  6. Profile picture

Change Display Name

  1. Go to Profile
  2. Tap Edit Name
  3. Enter your new name
  4. Tap Save

Update Profile Picture

With Google Sign-In, your profile picture syncs automatically from your Google account.

To change it:

  1. Update your Google account profile picture
  2. Sign out of ShopSync
  3. Sign back in

Password Management

Change Password

If using email/password authentication:

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Tap Account
  3. Tap Change Password
  4. Enter current password
  5. Enter new password
  6. Confirm new password
  7. Tap Update

Forgot Password

  1. On the sign-in screen, tap "Forgot Password?"
  2. Enter your email address
  3. Tap Send Reset Link
  4. Check your email for the reset link
  5. Click the link and follow instructions
  6. Create a new password
  7. Sign in with your new password

Security Features

Two-Factor Authentication

For Google Sign-In users:

  • Enable 2FA on your Google account
  • ShopSync inherits this security automatically

Session Management

  • Sessions remain active for 30 days
  • Sign out if using a shared device
  • Use incognito/private browsing on public computers

Data Protection

  • All data is encrypted in transit (HTTPS)
  • Firebase secures data at rest
  • Only you can access your private lists
  • Shared lists are only visible to invited users

Sign Out

To sign out of ShopSync:

=== "Mobile App" 1. Open Settings 2. Scroll to bottom 3. Tap Sign Out 4. Confirm when prompted

=== "Web App" 1. Click your profile picture 2. Click Sign Out 3. Confirm when prompted

Offline Data

When you sign out, locally cached data is cleared. Ensure you're online before signing out to sync all changes.

Account Deletion

To permanently delete your account:

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Tap Account
  3. Tap Delete Account
  4. Review what will be deleted:
  5. All your shopping lists
  6. All shared lists you own
  7. Your profile data
  8. List groups and categories
  9. Type your email to confirm
  10. Tap Delete My Account

This Action is Irreversible

Account deletion is permanent. All your data will be lost and cannot be recovered.

Multiple Accounts

ShopSync supports one account per device at a time. To switch accounts:

  1. Sign out of the current account
  2. Sign in with a different account

Family Sharing

Instead of multiple accounts, consider sharing lists with family members. This way, everyone can use their own account while collaborating on the same lists.

Troubleshooting

Can't Sign In with Google

  1. Check Internet Connection

  2. Ensure you have a stable connection

  3. Try switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data

  4. Clear App Cache (Android)

  5. Settings → Apps → ShopSync → Storage → Clear Cache

  6. Try signing in again

  7. Update Google Play Services (Android)

  8. Open Play Store

  9. Search for "Google Play Services"

  10. Update if available

  11. Check Account Status

  12. Ensure your Google account is active
  13. Try signing into another Google service

Email Verification Not Received

  1. Check Spam/Junk Folder

  2. Verification emails sometimes end up in spam

  3. Resend Verification Email

  4. Go to sign-in screen

  5. Enter your email

  6. Tap "Resend verification"

  7. Check Email Address

  8. Ensure you entered the correct email
  9. Check for typos

Password reset links expire after 24 hours:

  1. Request a new reset link
  2. Complete the reset process immediately
  3. Check your spam folder if you don't see it

Account Locked

If you enter the wrong password multiple times:

  1. Wait 15 minutes
  2. Try again
  3. If still locked, use password reset

Privacy & Security Tips

!!! tip "Best Practices" - Never share your password with anyone - Use a unique password for ShopSync - Enable 2FA on your Google account - Sign out on shared devices - Keep your email secure - it's your account recovery method - Review shared lists regularly and remove collaborators you don't recognize

Next Steps

Now that you're signed in:

Need help? Check the FAQ or report an issue.