Getting to know Rakaat.

Onboarding stages

• Welcome: Introduction to Rakaat's calm-first approach.
• Features overview: Summary of core capabilities.
• Mindful sessions preview: Introduction to Nafl tracking (premium feature).
• Location: Optional permission for automatic city detection. You can also select a city manually.
• Smart features: Overview of Shortcuts and Apple Home integration.
• Notifications: Optional permission for prayer alerts and Fajr alarm.
• Health integration: Optional permission for syncing Nafl sessions to Apple Health.
• Ready: Onboarding completes and the main app opens.

Note: Permission screens are informational only. Tap "Continue" to proceed; iOS will show the system permission dialog separately.

Required and optional permissions

• Location (When In Use): Optional. Used for automatic prayer time calculation and Qibla direction. Manual city selection works without this permission.
• Notifications: Optional. Required for prayer alerts, reminders, Fajr alarm, and motivational notifications.
• Apple Health: Optional. Only requested if you enable mindful session sync.
• Apple Home (HomeKit): Optional. Only requested if you open Apple Home settings.
• iCloud: Optional. Required only for syncing data across devices.

You can use Rakaat without granting any permissions by selecting a city manually and using it as a prayer time reference.

Prayer list and states

• The Today screen shows the five daily prayers: Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha.
• Each prayer shows its scheduled time based on your location and calculation settings.
• Pending: Prayer time has arrived but not yet logged.
• Completed: You have marked this prayer as done.
• Excused: You marked this prayer as excused (requires Excuse Mode enabled).
• Upcoming: Prayer time has not yet arrived.

Islamic day: The day starts at Fajr, not midnight. This affects which prayers appear on the Today screen.

Logging prayers

• Tap a prayer to open the completion dialog.
• Select Individual if you prayed alone.
• Select Congregation if you prayed with others. This is tracked separately in statistics.
• Select Excused if you have a valid exemption (requires Excuse Mode enabled in Settings).
• Tap again to undo (with confirmation).

Note: You can only log prayers for the current Islamic day. For past prayers, use Activity History.

Excuse Mode

• Enable in Settings to add an "Excused" option when completing prayers.
• Designed primarily for women during menstruation or postpartum periods.
• Can be used for any valid Islamic exemption: illness, travel, or other reasons.
• Excused prayers count as completed in statistics (no broken streaks).
• Visually distinguished with a dedicated color.
• Past excused entries remain visible after disabling the mode.

Path: Settings → Excuse Mode (Beta) toggle.

Prayer Times sheet

• Tap the clock icon in the top-left toolbar to open the Prayer Times sheet.
• Shows a horizontal timeline and vertical list of all five prayers.
• Day picker lets you view today, yesterday, and upcoming days.
• Premium: View prayer times for the full month horizon.
• Calendar selector: System, Gregorian, or Hijri (Umm al-Qura).

Fajr Alarm sheet

• Tap the Fajr alarm card on the Home screen (when enabled) to configure.
• Enable/Disable: Main toggle to turn the alarm on or off.
• Timing: Set to ring at Fajr time, or 5–45 minutes before.
• Snooze: Optional. Set duration to 5, 10, or 15 minutes.
• Sound: Choose from 4 Adhan voices (Amman, Cairo, Medina, Turkey) or default alarm.
• Permissions: Requires alarm permission (separate from notifications) and location for accurate timing.
• Live Activity: Shows countdown on the Lock Screen when alarm is active.

Note: Fajr Alarm is separate from regular prayer notifications. It is designed to wake you up.

Qibla Compass sheet

• Tap the Qibla card on the Home screen to open the compass.
• Shows real-time direction to the Kaaba based on device heading.
• Turn left/right guidance appears when not aligned.
• Screen turns green when aligned (within 3 degrees).
• Haptic feedback on near (15°) and aligned (3°) states.
• Requirements: Location permission or manually selected city.
• Calibration: Wave device in a figure-8 pattern if compass seems inaccurate.

Limitation: Compass accuracy depends on device calibration and local magnetic interference. Use as practical assistance, not sole authority.

Sun Position Tracker

• Visual arc showing sun's position throughout the day.
• Tracks Sunrise, Solar Noon, and Sunset.
• Animated sun position updates automatically.
• Recalculates when location or date changes.
• Available on the Home screen.

Notifications view

• Tap the bell icon in the top-right toolbar.
• Shows history of prayer notifications, reminders, and Fajr alarms.
• Unread notifications are indicated by a badge on the bell icon.
• If notifications are disabled, the bell icon shows a slash indicator.

Calculation methods

• Prayer times are calculated using the Adhan library by batoulapps.
• Available methods: Umm al-Qura, Muslim World League, Islamic Society of North America, Egyptian General Authority, and others.
• Madhab: Choose Shafi or Hanafi for Asr time calculation.
• Adjustments: Fine-tune individual prayer times if needed (+/- minutes).

Path: Settings → Calculation Settings.

Location settings

• Automatic location: Uses device GPS to detect city. Updates automatically when you travel.
• Manual city: Select a fixed city from the list. Prayer times calculate for this location regardless of where you are.
• Location permission: Required for automatic mode. Not required for manual mode.

Path: Settings → Location.

Travel and timezone changes

• Rakaat handles timezone changes automatically based on device settings.
• Daylight Saving Time adjustments are applied automatically.
• When traveling, prayer times update based on your new location (in automatic location mode).
• Historical prayer data maintains the location and timezone context from when it was recorded.

Prayer time notifications

• Alerts when a prayer time arrives.
• Adhan sounds: 4 voices available (Amman, Cairo, Medina, Turkey).
• Time-sensitive notifications respect Do Not Disturb settings where allowed.
• Can be paused during Excuse Mode (optional setting).

Path: Settings → Notifications → Prayer Notifications.

Pre-prayer reminders

• Optional reminder minutes before each prayer.
• Configurable duration (e.g., 15 minutes before).
• Separate toggle from main prayer notifications.

Path: Settings → Notifications → Reminder Before Prayer.

Motivational notifications

• Gentle, rule-based reminders to encourage consistency.
• Optional and can be disabled.
• Never uses guilt language or pressure tactics.

Path: Settings → Notifications → Motivational Notifications.

Notification sounds

• Prayer notifications and Fajr alarm have separate sound selections.
• Each can use one of the 4 Adhan voices or system defaults.
• Sounds play even in silent mode for Fajr alarm (if configured).

Statistics overview

• Tap the Statistics tab to view your prayer history and patterns.
• Data is computed locally from your prayer logs.
• All statistics are for your understanding, not judgment.
• No performance scores, rankings, or comparison to others.

Weekly and monthly heatmaps

• Last 7 Days: Horizontal bar showing completion for each of the five prayers.
• Monthly: Grid view with 5 segments per day (Fajr through Isha).
• Colors: Completed (primary), Excused (dedicated color), Missed (secondary).
• Tap any day to see details.

Streaks

• Tracks consecutive days with all five prayers completed.
• Current streak: Your ongoing consecutive days.
• Longest streak: Your all-time record.
• Excused prayers count toward streak completion.
• A broken streak simply starts a new count—no negative messaging.

Streak Celebration: When you complete all five daily prayers, a full-screen celebration may appear. This is a simple acknowledgment, not a pressure tactic. Milestones (7, 30, 90 days, etc.) have special messages.

Congregation rate

• Shows percentage of prayers marked as "Congregation" vs "Individual."
• Calculated for the last 7 days.
• Excused prayers count as Individual for this metric.

Total counts

• Prayers: Total number of prayers logged.
• Rakaats: Estimated based on prayer type (Fajr: 2, Dhuhr: 4, etc.).
• Sujood: Estimated based on prayer type and structure.
• Counts include all-time history from your recorded data.

Prayer trends chart

• Line chart showing completion patterns over time.
• Helps identify natural rhythms without judgment.
• No "improving" or "declining" labels.

Activity History view

• Available for Premium subscribers.
• Filter: View Prayers only, or Nawafil (Nafl sessions) only.
• Grouped by date with newest entries first.
• Tap any entry to view details.
• Edit mode: Delete or undo entries.

Path: Statistics tab → Activity History button.

Add Past Prayer

• Add prayers you completed but didn't log at the time.
• Limitations: Can only add for past dates (not future).
• Cannot duplicate existing entries.
• Same completion options: Individual, Congregation, or Excused (if mode enabled).

Path: Activity History → + button (top right).

Undo and delete

• Undo prayer: Mark as not completed (requires confirmation).
• Delete Nafl session: Remove session from history.
• Changes sync to iCloud if enabled.

Nafl sessions overview

• Track voluntary (Nafl) prayers with a timer and optional soundscapes.
• Available for Premium subscribers.
• Sessions save to your activity history.
• Optional sync to Apple Health as Mindful Minutes.

Nafl types

• Qiyam Al-Layl: Night prayer.
• Tahajjud: Late night prayer.
• Taraweeh: Ramadan night prayer.
• Witr: Odd-numbered prayer.
• Duha: Morning prayer (after sunrise).
• Custom: Your own label.

Categories: Daily Nafl, Ramadan, Time-specific.

Session flow

• Intent selection: Choose type and optional soundscape.
• Start: Tap to begin. Timer starts counting.
• Pause/Resume: Pause for interruptions; resume continues the session.
• End: Complete the session. Duration is saved.
• Live Activity: Shows timer on Lock Screen during active sessions.

Soundscapes

• Optional background audio during sessions.
• Options: Deep Ocean, Gentle Rain, Golden Desert, Calm Nature, or Quiet (no sound).
• Select before starting the session.

Health sync

• Nafl sessions can sync to Apple Health as Mindful Minutes.
• Requires Health permission.
• Can be disabled in Settings.
• Fard prayer durations are not written to Health.

Path: Settings → Apple Health Settings → Prayer Sessions.

Apple Home integration

• Link Home scenes to prayer times for automatic execution.
• Available for Premium subscribers.
• Requires Apple Home setup with existing scenes.
• All processing is local to your device.

Path: Settings → Apple Home (locked until subscribed).

Routines

• Time-based: Trigger a scene exactly at prayer time, or with an offset (before or after).
• Prayer selection: One prayer, several prayers, every prayer, or Jumuah specifically.
• Repeating: Run on selected weekdays.
• One-time: Run on a specific date.

Note: Completion-based routines are reserved for a future version.

Requirements and limitations

• Requires a configured Apple Home with at least one scene.
• Routines do not sync via iCloud (device-local only).
• Excuse Mode does not affect Home routines.
• Rakaat does not create or manage scenes—you do this in the Home app.
• You are responsible for safe operation of connected devices.

Prayer settings

• Calculation Settings: Adhan method, Madhab, adjustments.
• Location: Automatic vs manual city selection.

Notification settings

• Prayer Notifications: Enable/disable alerts at prayer times.
• Reminder Before Prayer: Enable and set minutes (5–60).
• Adhan Sound: Choose voice for prayer notifications.
• Motivational Notifications: Enable/disable gentle reminders.
• Pause During Excuse Mode: Silence notifications when excused.

Fajr Alarm settings

• Enable Fajr Alarm: Master toggle.
• Alarm Timing: Offset from Fajr (0–45 minutes).
• Snooze: Enable/disable and duration (5–15 minutes).
• Alarm Sound: Adhan voice or default.

Appearance settings

• Theme: Light, Dark, or System.
• Prayer Card Background: Visual style for the main prayer card.

Accessibility settings

• Haptics: Enable/disable vibration feedback.
• Text Size: Use system setting or custom step size.

Rakaat supports VoiceOver, Voice Control, and Dynamic Type throughout.

Data Management

• iCloud Sync: Enable/disable cross-device sync (Premium).
• Delete All Activity Data: Permanently removes prayer and Nafl history from device and iCloud.

About

• App version and build number.
• Credits.
• Support contact.
• Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Available shortcuts

• Get Next Prayer: Returns name, time, and minutes remaining.
• Get Prayer Time: Returns time for a specific prayer.
• Get Time Remaining: Returns seconds until next prayer.
• Is Prayer Active: Returns true/false for automation branching.
• Mark Prayer Completed: Log a prayer via voice.
• Complete All Today: Mark all today's prayers complete.
• Undo Prayer: Unmark a completed prayer.
• Fajr Alarm Control: Enable or disable the alarm.

Path: Settings screen → Siri & Shortcuts section has a button to open the Shortcuts app.

Home Screen widgets

• Main Widget: Next prayer time and daily progress.
• Next Prayer Widget: Small countdown to next prayer.
• Inspiration Widget: Daily quote (rotating).

Add widgets from the iOS Home Screen edit mode. Data updates automatically.

Live Activities

• Fajr Alarm: Shows countdown on Lock Screen when alarm is active.
• Nafl Sessions: Shows timer and status during active sessions (Premium).

Data storage

• Prayer outcomes: Local SwiftData. Syncs to iCloud if enabled.
• Nafl sessions: Local SwiftData. Syncs to iCloud if enabled.
• Settings: Local UserDefaults. Never syncs.
• Apple Home routines: Local UserDefaults. Never syncs.
• Notifications: Local only. Not synced.
• Statistics: Recomputed from prayer data. Not stored or synced.

Privacy principles

• Local-first: All prayer data stays on your device by default.
• No analytics: No usage tracking, no behavioral analytics.
• No advertising: No ad identifiers, no ad networks.
• No data sale: Your data is never sold or shared.
• iCloud encryption: Synced data uses CloudKit Private Database (encrypted, user-owned).

What we do not collect

• No behavioral analytics or usage tracking.
• No background location tracking.
• No advertising identifiers.
• No medical or clinical health data (only Mindful Minutes with your explicit permission).
• No third-party data sharing.

iCloud Sync overview

• Syncs prayer logs and Nafl sessions across your Apple devices.
• Requires Premium subscription.
• Uses CloudKit Private Database (encrypted, only you can access).
• Developer has no access to your synced data.

What syncs

• Prayer logs (obligatory prayers).
• Nafl sessions (voluntary prayers).
• Session segments and active time.

What does not sync

• Settings (stay on each device).
• Notifications (ephemeral).
• Apple Home routines (device-local only).
• Statistics (recomputed locally from synced data).

Enabling and disabling

• Enable: Settings → Data Management → iCloud Sync. The data store rebuilds once to enable mirroring.
• Disable: Toggle off. Local data remains; syncing stops.
• Status view: Shows last sync, last upload, pending changes, and any issues.

Conflicts and duplicates

• Rakaat uses deterministic tie-breaking to resolve conflicts (syncVersion → updatedAt → completedAt → duration → UUID).
• Duplicate prevention is built into the sync system.
• If you see unexpected duplicates, check that all devices are updated to the latest app version.

New device setup

• Enable iCloud Sync on the new device.
• Sign in with the same Apple ID.
• Prayer history downloads automatically.
• Settings must be configured separately on each device.

Incorrect prayer times

• Check location: Ensure automatic location is working or manual city is correct.
• Check calculation method: Different methods produce different times. Select the one used by your local authority.
• Check madhab: Shafi and Hanafi calculate Asr differently.
• Check adjustments: Verify no unintended offsets are applied.
• Travel: After timezone changes, restart the app to ensure fresh calculations.

Missing notifications

• Check permission: iOS Settings → Notifications → Rakaat. Ensure "Allow Notifications" is on.
• Check Focus/DND: Prayer notifications respect Focus modes. Fajr Alarm uses Time-Sensitive notifications.
• Check toggles: Settings → Notifications. Ensure prayer notifications and/or Fajr Alarm are enabled.
• Fajr Alarm only: Requires separate Alarm permission. Check Settings → Fajr Alarm sheet.
• Restart: After permission changes, restart the app.

Location issues

• Permission denied: iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → Rakaat. Set to "While Using" or enable manual city mode.
• Inaccurate city: Automatic detection may select nearby cities. Use manual mode for precise control.
• Qibla accuracy: Compass depends on device calibration. Move away from metal objects and recalibrate.

Sync issues

• Check status: Settings → Data Management → iCloud Sync. Look for error messages.
• Zone purged: If you see "Zone was purged," disable and re-enable sync to rebuild.
• Slow sync: Initial sync may take time for large histories. Ensure stable internet.
• Duplicates: Usually self-heal. If persistent, contact support with device logs.

Activity not updating

• Statistics: Computed on entry. Pull to refresh or re-enter the Statistics tab.
• Widgets: Updates are budget-aware. Force refresh by removing and re-adding the widget.
• Streak: Recalculated daily. Check that all five prayers are marked complete.

App behavior

• App won't open: Force close and restart. If persists, reinstall and restore from iCloud Sync.
• Settings not saving: Check device storage. Settings require local write access.
• Premium not recognized: Tap "Restore Purchases" in subscription settings. Ensure same Apple ID.

Getting help

• Support page: Visit rakaatapp.com/support for the contact form.
• Include details: When reporting, include iOS version, app version, and specific steps to reproduce.
• Privacy: Do not include prayer data or personal information in support emails unless specifically requested.