HomeCare - User Manual

🏠 HomeCare

User Manual - Version 1.2.0

Getting Started

Welcome to HomeCare! Your digital maintenance and service manager for your home, appliances, and vehicles. Keep track of maintenance schedules, reminders, costs, and important documents at all times – organized, clear, and reliable.

Installation & Setup

1 Download HomeCare from Google Play Store or Apple App Store
2 Open the app – you will be greeted with the welcome screen
3 Add your first device by tapping the + button
💡 Tip: The free version allows you to manage up to 3 devices. With Premium, you can manage unlimited devices.

Navigation

HomeCare uses a bottom navigation bar with 4 sections and a central plus button:

  • 🏠 Home – Your device overview with statistics
  • 📅 Calendar – All upcoming maintenance at a glance
  • ➕ New Device – Central button to add devices
  • 📤 Export & Backup – Export data and create backups
  • ⚙️ Settings – Configure the app

Home Screen & Devices

The home screen shows all your devices at a glance. Optionally, you can display an overview with statistics.

Overview Cards

The swipeable statistics cards show you:

  • Total number of your devices
  • Upcoming maintenance
  • Overdue maintenance
  • Total costs
💡 Tip: You can show or hide the overview cards in Settings → General → Show Overview.

Device List

Each device card shows the name, type, number of maintenance entries, and the last maintenance date. Tap a card to open the device details.

Favorites

Mark important devices as favorites – they will automatically appear at the top of the list, regardless of the selected sorting.

Drag & Drop Sorting

With the default sorting (manual), you can freely rearrange the order of your devices via drag & drop. Press and hold a device card and drag it to the desired position.

Add & Edit Devices

Add a New Device

1 Tap the + button in the center of the navigation bar
2 Enter the name of the device (e.g., "Basement Heater")
3 Select the device type(e.g., Heating, Vehicle, Smoke Detector, ...)
4 Optionally fill in additional fields: Location, Manufacturer, Model Number, Notes
5 Optionally set a maintenance interval(e.g., every 90 days)
6 Save with Save
💡 Tip: You can also set a default maintenance title(e.g., "Oil Change"). This will be automatically suggested when creating new maintenance entries.

Available Fields

  • Name – Required, e.g., "Washing Machine Ground Floor"
  • Device Type – Category with icon and color
  • Location – Where is the device located?
  • Manufacturer – e.g., "Bosch", "Viessmann"
  • Model Number – Serial number or model designation
  • Notes – Free text field for additional information
  • Maintenance Interval – Interval in days for automatic reminders
  • Remind X Days Before – When to be reminded before the due date
  • Default Maintenance Title – Suggested when creating new maintenance entries

Edit a Device

Open the device details and tap the edit icon(✏️) in the top bar. You can modify all fields at any time.

Device Detail & Maintenance Log

The device detail view is the heart of HomeCare. Here you can see all information about a device, organized across 3 tabs.

Header Area

The colored header displays the device name, type, icon, and the current maintenance status:

  • 🟢 OK – No maintenance due
  • 🟡 Due Soon – Maintenance due within the next 7 days
  • 🔴 Overdue – Maintenance date has passed

Tap the status badge for more details and options.

Tab 1: Maintenance Log

Here you can see the complete maintenance history of the device. Each entry contains:

  • Maintenance title
  • Date performed
  • Costs (optional)
  • Notes (optional)
  • Photo (optional)

Add New Maintenance

1 Tap "Add Maintenance"(button at the bottom right)
2 Enter title, date, costs, and notes
3 Optionally add a photo (camera or gallery)
4 Save the entry

Statistics

Below the tabs you will see two statistics cards: the total number of maintenance entries and the total costs for this device.

Photos & Documentation

Tab 2: Photos

The Photos tab shows all images associated with the device – both device photos and photos from maintenance entries.

Add Photos

1 Switch to the Photos tab in the device detail view
2 Tap the camera button
3 Choose Camera(take a photo) or Gallery(select existing image)
👑 Premium: In the free version, the number of photos is limited (1 photo per device, 1 per maintenance, max. 5 total). With Premium you can store unlimited photos.

Reminders & Calendar

Tab 3: Reminders

HomeCare offers two types of reminders:

  • Automatic Reminders – Calculated automatically based on the maintenance interval
  • Manual Reminders – Individual reminders that you create yourself

Automatic Reminders

If you have set a maintenance interval for a device (e.g., every 90 days), HomeCare automatically calculates the next due date based on the last maintenance. You will be reminded in time via push notification.

Create a Manual Reminder

1 Open the Reminders tab of a device
2 Tap "Add Reminder"
3 Enter description, date/time, and optional notes
4 Save the reminder

Maintenance Calendar

The calendar (accessible via the navigation) shows all upcoming maintenance and reminders in a week view. See at a glance what's coming up next.

💡 Tip: A red badge appears on the calendar icon in the navigation when there are overdue maintenance items.

QR Codes

With QR codes you can quickly identify devices and create maintenance entries directly – ideal for homes with many devices or professional use.

Generate QR Code

1 Open the device details
2 Tap the QR code icon in the top bar
3 The QR code is generated and can be shared or printed

Scan QR Code

1 Tap the QR scanner icon on the home screen
2 Scan the QR code of a device
3 You will be taken directly to the maintenance entry form for that device
👑 Premium: The QR code feature (scanning and generating) is a Premium feature.

Filter & Sorting

HomeCare offers extensive options to filter and sort your device list.

Open Filters

Tap the filter icon in the top right corner of the home screen. When filters are active, a badge shows the count.

Available Filters

  • Text Search – Search devices by name
  • Device Type – Show only devices of a specific type
  • Status – OK, Due Soon, or Overdue

Sorting Options

  • Manual(Default) – Custom order via drag & drop
  • Name – Alphabetical
  • Due Date – Next maintenance first
  • Maintenance Count – Most maintenance entries first
  • Last Maintenance – Recently maintained first
  • Created Date – Newest first
  • Total Costs – Highest costs first

Each sorting option can be set to ascending or descending order.

💡 Tip: Active filters are displayed as chips below the header. Tap the ✕ on a chip to remove that individual filter, or tap "Clear All" to reset all filters.

Export & Backup

In the Export Center (accessible via the navigation) you can export your data and create backups.

CSV Export

  • Export Devices – All device data as a CSV file
  • Export Maintenance – All maintenance logs as a CSV file
👑 Premium: CSV export is a Premium feature.

Create Backup

1 Open the Export Center
2 Tap "Create Backup"
3 Choose With Photos(larger file) or Without Photos(more compact)
4 After creation, you can share the backup (e.g., via email, cloud) or keep it locally

Restore Backup

1 Tap "Restore Backup"
2 Select the backup file
3 Choose the restore mode: Add(existing data is kept) or Replace(existing data is overwritten)
⚠️ Warning: In "Replace" mode, all existing data will be permanently deleted and replaced by the backup. Create a backup first, just in case!
💡 Tip: Backup creation and restoration are available for free. However, the free device limit (3 devices) also applies when restoring.

Household Sync (Beta)

The Household Sync feature lets you share your HomeCare data with your partner – without any cloud account. Create a sync package and send it via WhatsApp, email, or AirDrop. Your partner imports the package and the data is automatically merged.

🧪 Beta: Household Sync is currently in beta and is free for all users during this phase. After the beta phase, Sync will become a freemium feature (limited number of free syncs, then Premium required).

How Sync Works

Sync is based on exchanging compressed sync packages. Devices, maintenance entries, and reminders are transferred. Each object is identified by a unique ID, so the import automatically detects which data is new, which needs updating, and which has been deleted.

Set Device Name

Before syncing for the first time, set a device name in the Export Center (e.g., “Andreas iPhone” or “Lisa Tablet”). This name is included in the sync package so your partner knows who the data is from.

1 Open the Export Center(via the navigation)
2 Tap the pencil icon(✏️) next to the device name
3 Enter a descriptive name and save

Create & Share Sync Package

1 Open the Export Center and tap “Create & share sync package”
2 Review the overview: you’ll see how many devices, maintenance entries, and reminders are included
3 Tap “Create package” – the package is created as a compressed file
4 Share the package via the share dialog(WhatsApp, email, AirDrop, etc.)

Import Sync Package

Option 1: Via the Export Center

1 Open the Export Center and tap “Import sync package”
2 Select the received sync file
3 Review the package contents (sender, data count)
4 Choose the import mode and start the import

Option 2: Directly from WhatsApp / Email (Android)

1 Open the received file in WhatsApp or email
2 Select “Open with HomeCare”
3 HomeCare opens automatically with the import dialog

Import Modes

When importing, you can choose between two modes:

  • Merge (recommended) – Data from the package is merged with your local data. Newer changes take priority. New devices are added, existing ones updated. Deleted objects are also removed locally.
  • Replace local data – All your local data is replaced with the state from the package. Local changes are lost. Use this mode if you want to adopt your partner’s exact data state.
⚠️ Warning: A backup is automatically created before each import, so you can restore your previous data if needed.

Sync Info & Guide

In the Export Center, you’ll find an ⓘ icon next to the device name. Tap it for a detailed guide on the sync process across different platforms (Android/iOS).

What Gets Synced?

  • ✅ Devices (name, type, location, manufacturer, model number, notes, interval)
  • ✅ Maintenance entries (title, date, costs, notes, performed by)
  • ✅ Reminders (description, due date, recurrence)
  • ❌ Photos are not synced
  • ❌ App settings are not synced
  • ❌ Custom device types are not merged (only added)
💡 Tip: Sync regularly in both directions to keep both devices up to date. There is no automatic sync – the exchange is always manual.

Settings

Appearance

  • Theme – Choose between light and dark design or follow the system theme
  • Language – German or English
  • Show Overview – Show/hide statistics cards on the home screen

Formats

  • Number Format – Decimal separator and thousands separator
  • Currency – Currency symbol for cost display
  • Date Format – e.g., DD.MM.YYYY or MM/DD/YYYY

Change Language

1 Open Settings
2 Tap "Language"
3 Select your preferred language
🌍 Multilingual: HomeCare supports German and English. More languages are planned.

Delete All Data

Under Data Management you will find the option to reset all data. This requires double confirmation and cannot be undone.

⚠️ Warning: Make sure to create a backup before resetting!

About the App

In the App section you will find:

  • User Manual – Open this guide
  • Rate App – Rate HomeCare in the store
  • About HomeCare – App version and features
  • Imprint – Provider information
  • Privacy Policy – Privacy policy and terms of use
  • Our Apps – More apps from 603Games

Premium

HomeCare offers a free version with the most important features. For the full feature set, you can upgrade to Premium with a one-time purchase.

Free Version

  • Manage up to 3 devices
  • Keep maintenance logs
  • Create reminders
  • Use calendar view
  • Create & restore backups
  • 1 photo per device, 1 per maintenance (max. 5 total)

Premium Features

  • Unlimited Devices – No more limitations
  • Unlimited Photos – As many photos as you need
  • CSV Export – Export devices and maintenance as CSV
  • QR Codes – Scan and identify devices via QR code
  • PIN Protection – Protect the app with PIN and biometrics
💡 Tip: Premium is a one-time purchase – no subscriptions, no recurring costs!

Security (PIN & Biometrics)

Set Up PIN

1 Open Settings
2 Scroll to "Security"
3 Tap "Enable PIN"
4 Enter a 4-digit PIN and confirm it

Biometric Unlock

If your device supports fingerprint or face recognition, you can enable biometric unlock as a convenient alternative to the PIN.

Change or Remove PIN

In the security settings you can change or completely remove the PIN at any time. To remove it, you need to enter your current PIN.

👑 Premium: PIN protection is a Premium feature.

Manage Device Types

HomeCare comes with predefined device types (Vehicle, Heating, Filter, Appliance, Smoke Detector, Garden, Other). You can create and manage your own custom device types.

Create Custom Device Type

1 Go to Settings → Device Types
2 Tap "+" to create a new type
3 Choose a name, select an emoji icon and a color
4 Save the new device type
💡 Tip: Custom device types are also included in backups and will be transferred when restoring.
⚠️ Note: Predefined system device types cannot be deleted or renamed. Only custom types can be edited or deleted.

© 2026 603Games (Andreas Köppler & Lisa Köppler GbR)

HomeCare User Manual - Version 1.2.0

Last Updated: 02/17/2026