Getting started with CropCare AI
CropCare AI is a comprehensive agricultural technology platform that combines AI-powered plant disease detection, subscription-based premium features, and multi-platform access through mobile app and web platform. This guide will help you use all features effectively and safely.
1. Installation and setup
1.1 System requirements
- iOS 13.0+ or Android 5.0+ (API level 21+)
- Camera access permission for plant scanning
- Internet connection required for AI analysis (online service)
- Minimum 200MB free storage space for app and analysis history
- Universal Link support: https://trycropcareai.com/ deep linking
- Google Play Services for subscription management (Android)
- App Store connectivity for subscription management (iOS)
1.2 First-time setup
- Download and install CropCare AI from Google Play Store or Apple App Store
- Create your account using email or OAuth2 authentication
- Grant required permissions (camera, storage) when prompted
- Choose your region for appropriate pricing (developed/underdeveloped regions)
- Select subscription plan: Free (5 scans/month) or Premium (unlimited)
- Complete profile setup with your location for better recommendations
1.3 Permissions explained
- Camera: Required to capture photos of plants for AI analysis
- Storage: Needed to save analysis history and images locally using Hive database
- Internet: Essential for AI analysis via GitHub Models API and backend validation
- Location (optional): For regional pricing and environmental context in analysis
- Notifications: For subscription updates and scan limit notifications
1.4 Subscription system
CropCare uses a freemium model with regional pricing:
Free tier
- 5 AI scans per month
- Basic plant disease detection
- Treatment recommendations
- Limited history storage
FREE TRIAL (Mobile-Only)
- 30-day trial period
- 1000 AI scans per month during trial
- Full premium features including disease outbreak alerts
- Available once per user account
- No credit card required
- Activated through mobile app only
- Automatic expiry notifications at 6, 4, and 2 days before trial ends
- Seamless conversion to paid plan available anytime
PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION (Regional Pricing)
- Unlimited AI scans
- Advanced analysis with confidence scores
- Complete treatment plans (natural & chemical options)
- Real-time disease outbreak alerts within 50km radius
- Push notifications for nearby disease outbreaks (automated daily detection)
- Disease outbreak map view showing active outbreaks
- Full analysis history with export capabilities
- Priority customer support
- Access to web platform dashboard
- Organizational features (team collaboration with license management)
Regional pricing
- Developed regions: $30.00/month, $300.00/year
- Underdeveloped regions: $5.00/month, $50.00/year
- Pricing automatically adjusted based on user region
2. Taking plant photos for best results
2.1 Photo quality guidelines
- Use good lighting (natural daylight preferred)
- Keep plant in focus with clear details visible
- Include affected areas (leaves, stems, flowers)
- Capture multiple angles if disease is present
- Use rear camera for better image quality
2.2 What to avoid
✗ Blurry or out-of-focus images ✗ Poor lighting (too dark or overexposed) ✗ Too much background clutter ✗ Extreme close-ups that miss plant context ✗ Images with fingers or objects blocking the plant
2.3 Optimal photo conditions
- Distance: 12-24 inches from plant
- Lighting: Even, natural light (avoid direct flash)
- Background: Clean, contrasting background preferred
- Angle: Include leaves, stems, and affected areas
- Time: Morning or afternoon for best natural lighting
3. Analyzing plants
3.1 Starting an analysis
- Open CropCare AI app and ensure internet connectivity
- Check your scan limit (shown on dashboard): Free users have 5/month, trial users have 1000/month
- If you're a new user, you may see a free trial offer - 30 days with full premium features!
- Tap "Take Photo" for camera or "Choose from Gallery" for existing images
- Review the selected image and ensure good quality
- After confirming selection, it will automatically start AI processing
- Wait for analysis results (typically 15-45 seconds depending on connection)
- Results are automatically saved to local history for future reference
3.2 Understanding results
The AI analysis provides comprehensive information:
- Plant Identification: Common and scientific names with confidence scores
- Disease Detection: Health status, specific disease identification, or "healthy" status
- Confidence Score: AI model's confidence level (0-100%) for reliability assessment
- Severity Assessment: Disease progression level (mild, moderate, severe)
- Detailed Symptoms: Visible signs and symptoms observed in the image
- Treatment Plans: Categorized recommendations:
- Natural/Organic treatments (eco-friendly options)
- Chemical treatments (faster-acting synthetic solutions)
- Cultural practices (environmental management)
- Prevention Tips: Proactive measures to prevent future problems
- Estimated Recovery: Timeline for treatment effectiveness
3.3 Confidence scores guide
- 90-100%: Very High confidence (reliable identification)
- 70-89%: High confidence (good identification)
- 50-69%: Moderate confidence (verify with expert)
- Below 50%: Low confidence (seek professional advice)
4. Subscription management
4.1 Accessing subscription settings
- Open app settings or profile section
- Tap "Subscription" or "Premium" to view current plan
- View remaining scans for free users
- See trial status and days remaining for trial users
- Manage subscription through Google Play Store or Apple App Store
- Access billing history and usage statistics
4.2 Activating free trial
- New eligible users will see a trial offer dialog on the home screen
- Trial offers full premium features for 30 days
- Benefits include:
- 1000 AI scans per month (instead of 5)
- Disease outbreak alerts and notifications
- Advanced analytics and reporting
- Priority customer support
- Unlimited access to all premium features
- Tap "Start Free Trial" to activate (mobile app only)
- No credit card required for trial activation
- You'll receive notifications at 6, 4, and 2 days before trial expires
- Trial is available once per user account (lifetime limit)
- Can upgrade to paid subscription anytime during trial
4.3 Upgrading to premium
- Tap "Upgrade to Premium" from settings or when trial expires
- Choose between Monthly or Yearly plans (save 17% with yearly)
- Regional pricing automatically applied based on your location
- Complete purchase through your device's app store
- Premium features activate immediately after successful payment
- Subscription auto-renews unless cancelled
- If upgrading during trial, trial is marked as converted and premium access continues seamlessly
4.4 Subscription validation
- All subscriptions validated with backend server
- Purchases verified with Google Play Store or Apple App Store
- Free trial status tracked to enforce one-trial-per-user limit
- Account linking prevents unauthorized subscription sharing
- Real-time subscription status updates
- Grace period provided for expired subscriptions with temporary issues
- Trial converts automatically to free tier after 30 days if not upgraded
4.5 Managing billing
- Cancel anytime through Google Play Store or Apple App Store settings
- Refunds handled according to store policies
- Subscription remains active until end of current billing period
- Downgrade to free tier with 5 scans/month after cancellation
- Trial users revert to free tier (5 scans/month) after expiry
- No charges for trial activation - credit card not required
5. Platform access
5.1 MOBILE APP (Primary Platform)
- AI-powered scanning and analysis
- Offline result viewing (analysis requires internet)
- Local storage using Hive database and Flutter Secure Storage
- Push notifications for subscription and scan limit updates
- Free trial activation (30 days, mobile-only)
- Disease outbreak alerts and notifications (premium/trial feature)
- Real-time notifications at 6, 4, and 2 days before trial expiry
5.2 Web platform access
- URL: https://trycropcareai.com
- Advanced dashboard and analytics
- Team collaboration features for organizations
- Bulk analysis management
- API access for enterprise customers
- Comprehensive reporting and export tools
- Organisation subscription management with Paystack
- License assignment and team member access control
5.3 Notification center (premium/trial feature)
- Access disease outbreak alerts in notification tab
- Filter alerts by: All, Unread, Critical, Nearby, Read
- Alert cards show: disease name, distance, affected farmers count, severity
- Expandable details: prevention tips, treatment recommendations
- Actions: View Details, Show on Map, Mark as Read
- Swipe gestures: Right to mark read, Left to delete
- Auto-cleanup: Alerts older than 30 days removed automatically
- Local storage: Alerts saved in Hive database for offline access
- Push notifications: Real-time alerts via Firebase Cloud Messaging
5.4 Disease outbreak map view (premium/trial feature)
- Interactive map showing active disease outbreaks
- Outbreak markers colored by severity: Critical (red), High (orange), Medium (yellow), Low (green)
- Circle radius shows outbreak range (25km clustering radius)
- User location marker (blue pin) with distance calculations
- Filter by: Max distance (10-200km), Severity levels
- Tap outbreak marker to view: Disease name, case count, distance from you
- Outbreak list below map sorted by proximity
- Automatic daily updates at 2:00 AM UTC
- Requires location permission for accurate distance calculations
5.5 Deep linking and universal links
- Universal Link: https://trycropcareai.com/app/
- Custom scheme: cropcare://
- Seamless transitions between web and mobile platforms
- Shared analysis links for team collaboration
- Password reset and account verification via links
6. Interpreting treatment recommendations
6.1 Natural treatments 🌿
- Organic and eco-friendly solutions
- Safer for environment and beneficial insects
- May take longer to show results (7-14 days typically)
- Examples: neem oil, baking soda solutions, beneficial bacteria, companion planting
- Cost-effective and sustainable long-term solutions
6.2 Chemical treatments 🧪
- Faster-acting synthetic solutions (2-7 days typical response)
- More potent but may have environmental impact
- Higher cost but immediate effectiveness
- Examples: fungicides, bactericides, systemic treatments, targeted pesticides
- Professional-grade recommendations with application rates
6.3 Cultural practices 🌱
- Environmental management and prevention-focused approaches
- Irrigation management, soil amendments, crop rotation suggestions
- Long-term plant health improvement strategies
- Sustainable farming practice integration
6.4 Treatment safety
⚠️ important safety reminders:
- Always read and follow product labels and local regulations
- Wear appropriate protective equipment when applying treatments
- Consider environmental impact and effects on beneficial insects
- Test treatments on small areas first to assess plant tolerance
- Consult local agricultural extension services for region-specific advice
- Never apply treatments in windy conditions or before rain
- Respect pre-harvest intervals for food crops
- Store chemicals safely away from children and pets
7. Managing analysis history
7.1 Viewing history
- Tap "History" tab to see all past analyses stored locally
- Scroll through chronological list organized by date (newest first)
- Tap any item to view detailed analysis results and images
- Search functionality for finding specific plants or diseases
- Filter by date range, confidence level, or disease status
7.2 Data storage and sync
- All analysis data stored locally using Hive database
- Images and results cached for offline viewing
- Premium and trial users get cloud backup and cross-device sync
- Export functionality for data portability
- Analysis data includes metadata: timestamp, confidence scores, treatment effectiveness tracking
- Disease alerts stored locally with automatic 30-day cleanup
7.3 Organizing and managing data
- Create custom tags and categories for your analyses
- Mark treatments as applied and track effectiveness
- Set reminders for follow-up scans and treatment applications
- Share individual analyses with team members or experts
- Bulk export for record-keeping and reporting
7.4 Deleting data
- Swipe left on individual items to delete from local storage
- Use "Clear All History" to remove all stored data (requires confirmation)
- Deleted data cannot be recovered unless backed up to cloud (Premium feature)
- Consider exporting important analyses before deletion
- Free up storage space by removing old, resolved analyses
8. Best practices for accurate results
8.1 Photo preparation
- Clean plant leaves gently with soft cloth before photographing
- Remove dead or severely damaged material for clearer analysis
- Ensure plant is well-watered (not wilted from drought stress)
- Check multiple areas of the plant for comprehensive assessment
- Take photos during optimal lighting hours (10 AM - 3 PM)
8.2 Optimal photo techniques
- Distance: 15-30 cm from affected plant parts
- Lighting: Even, natural daylight (avoid direct flash or artificial lighting)
- Background: Clean, contrasting background (use white paper if needed)
- Focus: Ensure affected areas are sharp and clearly visible
- Angle: Capture both overall plant structure and close-up disease details
- Multiple shots: Take 2-3 angles for complex disease patterns
8.3 Environmental context
- Note recent weather conditions (rainfall, temperature, humidity)
- Document watering schedule and soil moisture conditions
- Record recent fertilizer applications or treatment history
- Consider seasonal timing and plant growth stage
- Include information about nearby plants and potential disease spread
8.4 Maximizing AI accuracy
- Upload high-resolution images (minimum 1MP recommended)
- Ensure good internet connectivity for faster processing
- Provide plant type information when prompted
- Use macro mode for detailed leaf symptoms
- Avoid heavily filtered or edited images
- Take photos in RAW or highest quality settings available
9. When to seek professional help
9.1 Critical situations requiring expert consultation
- Valuable or rare plants showing severe or unknown symptoms
- Commercial crops or food production with significant disease spread
- Rapid disease progression affecting multiple plants or crops
- Uncertainty about treatment safety, application rates, or timing
- Low confidence scores (<70%) from AI analysis
- Suspected new or emerging diseases not in AI training data
- Economic losses exceeding treatment costs
9.2 Professional resources
- Local agricultural extension services and county agents
- Certified plant pathologists and diagnosticians
- Professional horticulturists and crop consultants
- University plant diagnostic laboratories
- Agricultural cooperatives and farm advisors
- Crop insurance adjusters for commercial operations
- Integrated pest management (IPM) specialists
9.3 AI limitations to understand
- GitHub Models AI service provides preliminary assessments, not definitive diagnoses
- Cannot replace professional plant pathology expertise or laboratory testing
- Limited by image quality, lighting conditions, and camera capabilities
- May not consider complex interactions between multiple stressors
- Training data may not include all regional diseases or emerging pathogens
- Cannot assess soil conditions, water quality, or environmental factors
9.4 Geographic and regional considerations
- AI training data may have geographic bias toward certain regions
- Disease prevalence and treatment options vary by climate and location
- Local regulations may restrict certain pesticides or treatment methods
- Regional pest and disease pressure may differ from AI training data
- Always verify recommendations with local agricultural authorities
- Consider traditional knowledge and local farming practices
- Adapt treatments based on local environmental conditions
10. Troubleshooting common issues
10.1 Analysis errors and connectivity
Problem: "Failed to analyze image" or "Network connection error"
Solutions
- Verify stable internet connection (WiFi or cellular data)
- Check if you've reached scan limits (Free: 10/month, Premium: unlimited)
- Ensure image is clear, well-lit, and under 10MB in size
- Try taking a new photo with better lighting and focus
- Restart the app and attempt analysis again
- Verify subscription status if premium features expected
- Clear app cache if performance issues persist
10.2 Subscription and billing issues
Problem: "Subscription not recognized" or billing problems
Solutions
- Verify purchase completed through Google Play Store or Apple App Store
- Check subscription status in app store account settings
- For trial users, verify trial is still active and hasn't expired
- Ensure account email matches subscription purchase
- Wait 5-10 minutes for subscription validation with backend
- Try "Restore Purchases" option in app settings
- Contact app store support for refund or billing disputes
- Ensure app is updated to latest version for subscription fixes
- Remember: Each user gets only one free trial per account
10.3 Poor analysis results
Problem: Low confidence scores, unclear identification, or irrelevant results
Solutions
- Retake photo with better lighting, focus, and image composition
- Include more plant context (affected leaves, stems, overall plant)
- Ensure image shows clear disease symptoms, not just healthy parts
- Try analyzing different affected areas of the same plant
- Consider that some plant conditions may be difficult to diagnose automatically
- Consult professional help for complex or unusual symptoms
- Verify plant type selection if prompted by AI system
10.4 App performance and storage
Problem: Slow analysis, app crashes, or storage full notifications
Solutions
- Close other resource-intensive apps to free device memory
- Restart device to clear temporary files and refresh memory
- Update to latest app version through app store
- Clear analysis history to free local storage space
- Check available device storage (app requires minimum 200MB)
- Disable unnecessary background apps during analysis
- Consider upgrading device if hardware limitations persist
11. Privacy and data security
11.1 Your data and storage
- Analysis history stored locally on device using encrypted Hive database
- Images stored securely in app-specific directories with restricted access
- Authentication tokens protected via Flutter Secure Storage with hardware-backed keystore
- Personal information encrypted both at rest and in transit
- You maintain full control over data deletion and export
- No unauthorized access to your analysis data or images
11.2 Data transmission and processing
- Images transmitted securely to GitHub Models API via HTTPS encryption
- Backend validation with OAuth2 authentication
- Temporary processing only - no permanent storage of images on external servers
- Analysis results and metadata stored locally on your device
- Subscription validation handled through secure app store APIs
- Regional data processing compliance with local privacy regulations
11.3 Subscription and payment data
- Payment processing handled exclusively by Google Play Store or Apple App Store
- CropCare never stores credit card or payment information directly
- Subscription status validated through secure app store APIs
- Free trial requires no payment information - completely free for 30 days
- Trial status tracked server-side to enforce one-trial-per-user limit
- Purchase receipts encrypted and stored temporarily for validation
- Billing information managed through your app store account
- Refunds and billing disputes handled by respective app stores
11.4 Sharing and collaboration
- Analysis results can be shared through standard device sharing mechanisms
- Premium organizational features include secure team collaboration
- Data sharing requires explicit user consent and action
- Shared analysis links expire after specified timeframes
- Team data access governed by organization-level privacy settings
- Export functionality maintains data ownership and portability rights
12. Legal and safety disclaimers
12.1 Medical and safety warnings
⚠️ critical warnings:
- NEVER use CropCare AI analysis for human or animal consumption decisions
- DO NOT eat plants identified by the app without expert verification and proper identification
- Chemical treatments can be harmful to humans, animals, and environment - follow all safety guidelines
- Children and pets must be kept away from treated plants and chemical storage areas
- Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment when handling treatments
- Consult poison control immediately if accidental ingestion or exposure occurs
12.2 Accuracy and liability limitations
- AI analysis provides preliminary guidance only, not professional agricultural diagnosis
- GitHub Models API and CropCare analysis are tools to assist, not replace, expert judgment
- Confidence scores are statistical estimates, not guaranteed accuracy percentages
- Always verify important agricultural decisions with qualified plant pathologists
- Environmental factors, plant genetics, and local conditions may affect accuracy
- CropCare is not liable for crop losses, treatment failures, or economic damages
- Maximum liability limited to subscription fees paid, if any
12.3 Subscription and service terms
- Subscription plans and pricing subject to change with appropriate notice
- Service availability depends on internet connectivity and third-party API status
- Free tier scan limits enforced monthly and reset on billing cycle
- Premium features require active, validated subscription
- Service interruptions may occur due to maintenance or technical issues
- Regional pricing based on user location and may change due to economic factors
12.4 Intellectual property and data
- Users retain ownership of uploaded images and analysis data
- CropCare retains rights to improve AI models using anonymized, aggregated data
- Treatment recommendations are informational, not proprietary medical advice
- Third-party AI services (GitHub Models) subject to their terms of service
- User-generated content shared in teams governed by organization agreements
Support and feedback
For help, questions, or feedback
- In-app Help Center: Access through settings menu
- Email Support: hamez@hamez.dev (response within 24-48 hours)
- Web Platform: https://trycropcareai.com/help-center/
- GitHub Issues: For technical problems and feature requests
- API Documentation: https://trycropcareai.com/
- Community Forum: Connect with other users and share experiences
Premium Support
- Priority email support (response within 12 hours)
- Live chat support during business hours
- Direct access to agricultural consultants
- Custom feature requests and enterprise solutions
We value your feedback to continuously improve CropCare AI!
Version history and platform information
Version 1.0.1+20 (Current - October 3, 2025)
- Universal Links implementation (https://trycropcareai.com/)
- Enhanced subscription system with regional pricing
- Improved AI analysis using GitHub Models API
- Flutter Secure Storage for enhanced security
- Centralized NavigationService for better user experience
- Comprehensive subscription validation and management
Platform Details
- Minimum Android: 5.0+ (API level 21+)
- Minimum iOS: 13.0+
- Web Platform: trycropcareai.com
- AI Service: GitHub Models API
- Payment Processing: Google Play Store & Apple App Store & Paystack
Supported Crops (50+ types)
- Maize/Corn, Tomatoes, Beans, Coffee, Rice, Wheat, Potatoes
- Various vegetables, fruits, and cash crops
- Expanding database with regional crop varieties
Supported Diseases (200+ conditions)
- Fungal infections (rust, blight, powdery mildew)
- Bacterial diseases (bacterial spot, fire blight)
- Viral infections (mosaic virus, leaf curl)
- Nutrient deficiencies and environmental stress
- Pest damage and insect-related issues
[This guide will be updated as new features are added to the platform]