Support

Found a bug, have a question, or have an idea for the app? Here's how to reach me, plus answers to common questions.

Email:

The fastest way to report a bug is from inside the app: open the settings menu (the gear), choose About Shop Effective™, then choose Report a Bug…. It starts an email with your app version, system version, and device model already filled in, which helps me track the problem down. You can read and edit everything before you send it.

Shop Effective is made by one person, so please allow a few days for a reply.

Frequently asked questions

Which devices can run Shop Effective?

iPhone and iPad with iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 or later, and Mac with macOS 26 or later. Shop Effective is coming soon to the App Store.

How do I share the list with my family?

Open the settings menu (the gear) and choose Share List, then send the invitation by Messages, Mail, or any other way you like. Everyone you invite sees the same items and, unless you set the invitation to view only in the share options, can add, edit, check off, and delete anything — just like you. Each person needs an Apple Account with iCloud turned on.

I got an invitation. How do I join?

Install Shop Effective, then tap or click the invitation link. The shared list opens in the app and stays in sync from then on.

Changes from someone else aren't showing up.

Changes usually appear within seconds, but Apple's notification service sometimes delays them by a few minutes. Switching away from the app and back, or reopening it, always pulls in the latest changes right away. If they still don't appear:

Make sure each device is signed in to iCloud and connected to the internet.
Check that the list owner's iCloud has storage space available — a shared list is stored in the owner's account.

If it still isn't working, please email me with the device types and their system versions.

Two of us added the same item. Will it show up twice?

No. If two people add the same item, category, or store before their devices sync, the copies are merged automatically. A merged item stays on the to-buy list unless everyone had it checked off.

How do I stop sharing?

The person who sent the invitation can choose Stop Sharing from the settings menu. Everyone invited loses access, and your items stay on your devices. Quit and reopen the app before sharing again.

How do categories and stores work?

Categories group items by aisle or department; stores mark where you plan to buy them. An item can have any number of each. Use the tag and storefront buttons to filter the list. The Match setting chooses whether items need any of the picked tags or all of them. Manage Categories and Manage Stores in the settings menu let you add, rename, and delete; renaming one to an existing name merges the two.

How do I start over or get the starter items back?

From the settings menu you can Add Default Categories or Add Starter Items at any time, or replace everything with the defaults. Clear All Items empties the list but keeps your categories and stores. If you're sharing, these changes apply to everyone on the list.

Does Shop Effective collect my data or show ads?

No. There are no ads, no accounts, no analytics, and no tracking. See the privacy policy for details.