How to get the most from Aware

When you first open Aware, it will request permission to read SMS messages. This is required for automatic tracking.

Steps on most Android phones

1. Open Aware
2. Tap Allow when the permission dialog appears
3. Your past MoMo and Airtel transactions will load automatically

If you denied permission previously

1. Go to Settings on your phone
2. Tap Apps or Application Manager
3. Find and tap Aware
4. Tap Permissions
5. Tap SMS and select Allow
6. Return to Aware — transactions will load within seconds

This works the same on Tecno, Infinix, Samsung, and most Android 9+ devices.

For cash transactions that don't come with an SMS, you can log them manually:

1. Tap the + button on the home screen
2. Enter the amount in UGX
3. Select a category (Food, Transport, Airtime, etc.)
4. Optionally add a note (e.g. "Boda to Kisementi")
5. Tap Save

The expense appears immediately in your transaction list and counts toward your budget bar for that category.

To set a weekly or monthly budget:

1. Open the Home tab
2. Tap View budget
3. Choose a category to set a limit
4. Enter the amount in UGX
5. Tap Set budget

Aware tracks your spend against the limit and warns you as you approach it, so you know before you go over — not after. Insights also project your pace for the period.

If transactions aren't appearing:

1. Check SMS permission — see the guide above. This is the most common cause.
2. Check your SMS inbox — confirm that MoMo/Airtel messages are actually arriving on your phone. Some operators send push notifications instead of SMS on some data plans.
3. Restart Aware — close the app completely and reopen it.
4. Check for duplicate SMS apps — if you have a second SMS app that intercepts messages, Aware may not receive them. Try setting Aware's SMS reading to work alongside your default SMS app.

Still not working? Email hello@useaware.xyz with your phone model and Android version.

Backup is optional and off until you turn it on. When enabled, processed transactions, budgets, categories, profile details, and selected settings sync to Aware’s Supabase database so a new phone can restore them. Raw SMS is never included.

To turn on backup

1. Open the Settings tab in the bottom navigation
2. Under Backup, continue with Google
3. Tap Save now to back up your ledger

Google is used to authenticate your Aware account. It does not receive your transaction or SMS data.