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.

Budget bars are an Aware+ feature. Once subscribed:

1. Go to Budget in the bottom navigation
2. Tap a category to set a monthly limit
3. Enter the amount in UGX
4. Tap Set budget

The bar turns amber when you've used 80% of the limit. It turns red when you've exceeded it. Aware sends you a notification at each threshold.

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.app with your phone model and Android version.

You can cancel from within the app or directly through Google Play:

From within Aware

1. Go to Settings (gear icon, top right)
2. Tap Aware+ subscription
3. Tap Cancel subscription
4. Confirm in Google Play

Directly in Google Play

1. Open the Google Play Store
2. Tap your profile photo → Payments & subscriptions
3. Tap Subscriptions
4. Find Aware+ and tap Cancel subscription

Your Aware+ features remain active until the end of the current billing period. No refund is issued for partial months, per Google Play's standard policy.