Support
Pocket Control
Active Development
Pocket Control is currently active development and not yet available on Google Play. Support opens fully at release — but feedback and questions are welcome now.
Readings come from consumer phone sensors. They are useful for everyday jobs, but they are not calibrated scientific or safety instruments.
Getting started
Pocket Control will be installable from Google Play at release; a store button will appear on its page here the moment the listing is real. The app is offline-first: its core features work without a connection. It supports Android 8.0 and newer.
- A first-launch scan that finds what this particular phone can do
- A dashboard of live widgets you arrange, resize and spread across pages
- Compass, spirit level, light meter, barometer and live sensor graphs
- QR and barcode reader, magnifier and colour sampling
Permissions
Pocket Control asks only for what its features need, and works sensibly if you decline. To review or change grants: Android Settings → Apps → Pocket Control → Permissions.
- Camera: QR and barcode reading, the magnifier and colour sampling — requested only when one of those tools is opened.
- Microphone: The sound level meter and audio tools, while they are open.
- Location: Required by Android for some Bluetooth and Wi-Fi scanning on older versions; there is no background location.
- Nearby devices (Bluetooth and Wi-Fi): Bluetooth Low Energy discovery and Wi-Fi Direct peers, declared as never used for location.
- NFC: Reading tags, and writing text to a tag only when you explicitly arm it.
- Physical activity: The step counter, where the phone has one.
- Infrared transmitter: Sending infrared signals from profiles you enter yourself, on phones with an IR blaster.
- Biometrics: Optional lock for saved items.
- Internet: Declared because Android's Wi-Fi Direct requires it; the app has no network client, uploads or analytics.
Common problems
The app is misbehaving or running slowly
- Swipe the app away from Recents and reopen it.
- Check Google Play for an update.
- Clear the app's cache (Android Settings → Apps → Pocket Control → Storage → Clear cache) — this keeps your data.
Where is my data, and how do I delete it?
Kept on the device until you delete it or uninstall the app. Delete items in the app, or uninstall to remove everything. Full details are on the Pocket Control privacy page.
Does it really work offline?
Yes — the core of Pocket Control is built to work with no signal at all. Anything that does use the network is listed on the privacy page, and none of it is required for everyday use.
Battery and performance tips
Pocket Controlavoids background work beyond what its features need. If Android's battery optimisation interferes with reminders or timers, exempt the app in Android Settings → Battery → Battery optimisation.
Accessibility
- Visual instruments carry text readings, not just dials
- Unsupported tools explain why in words
- Adaptive widget grid that reflows for larger text
Accessibility problems are treated as bugs — reports are very welcome.
Get help
A dedicated support email is being set up. Until it appears here, see the support centre and contact page.