Getting Started
How do I create a family group?
After signing up, tap "Create New" on the onboarding screen. Enter a name for your family group (e.g. "The Lail Family") and a unique invite code will be generated automatically. Share this code with family members to invite them.
How do I invite family members?
Go to Settings → Manage Members and share your unique family invite code. Family members can enter this code during onboarding to join your family group.
What is the difference between a Family Group and a Household?
A Family Group is your entire family — all households together. A Household is your private unit within the family group (e.g. you, your partner and your kids). You control what content is shared between your household and the wider family group.
What is the minimum age to use Rootz & Branches?
The minimum age is 13. Members under 18 have restricted permissions — their uploads require parental approval before becoming visible to the family group. Parents and household admins manage their children's activity.
How do I switch between Family and Household space?
On mobile, tap the family name at the top of the Home screen to switch between your Family Group and your Household. On web, use the dropdown next to the family name in the top left of the screen.
Account
How do I change my profile information?
Go to Profile → tap the edit icon → Edit Profile. You can update your name, bio, date of birth, gender, married date and other personal details.
How do I approve my child's uploads?
Switch to your Household space. Pending uploads from members under 18 appear as an alert at the top of your feed with a Review button. Tap Review to approve or reject each upload before it becomes visible.
How do I reset my password?
On the Sign In screen tap "Forgot password?" and enter your email address. We'll send you a reset link within a few minutes. Check your spam folder if you don't see it.
How do I delete my account?
Go to Settings → Data → Delete Account. This will permanently delete your account and all associated data within 30 days. You can request a data export before deleting.
What is a Household Head?
The Household Head is the admin of your household. They can add members, approve content from under-18 members, manage the household subscription, and edit the household branch in the family tree. The person who creates a household is automatically the Household Head.
What is a Root Admin?
The Root Admin is the person who created the family group. They have full oversight of the entire family — they can override any household branch in the family tree, manage family-wide settings, and initiate a succession vote if needed.
Memories & Content
How do I record a voice memory?
Tap the + button in the app and select "Voice Recording". Grant microphone permission when prompted, tap the record button, and speak. When done, add a title and tap Save. Your voice memory will appear in the feed.
Who can see the memories I post?
When posting a memory you choose the audience — Whole Family, My Household, or Admins Only. You can change this at any time. Household-only memories are never visible to the wider family group.
Can I share a memory from my household to the whole family?
Yes — tap the share icon on any household memory and select "Share to Family Feed". This will make the memory visible to the entire family group.
How do I upload photos?
Tap the + button and select "Photo". Choose photos from your camera roll or take a new photo. Add a title and caption, choose your audience, and tap Save.
Can I upload videos?
Video uploads are available on the Standard plan (up to 750MB per video) and Premium plan (up to 3GB per video). Free plan members cannot upload videos.
Family Tree & Timeline
How does the family tree work?
There is one unified family tree per family group. Each household admin builds their own branch — adding their household members and connecting them to the wider tree. The Root Admin can see and manage all branches.
How do I add someone to my household branch?
Go to the Household screen → Tree tab → tap Add. Enter the person's name, date of birth and their relationship to you. They'll be added to your branch and will appear in the main family tree.
What happens if I accidentally delete someone from the tree?
Deleted nodes have a 30-day recovery window. Go to Settings → Family Tree → Deleted Members to restore anyone removed within the last 30 days.
How do I add a timeline event?
Go to the Timeline tab and tap Add Event (or use the + button). Choose an event type — Birth, Marriage, Milestone, Graduation or other — add the year, title, description and optionally attach a photo or voice recording.
Events
How do I create a family event?
Go to the Events tab in the Family space and tap Add Event. Enter the title, date, time, location and event type. Choose whether it's visible to the Whole Family or Admins Only, then tap Create Event.
What event types are available?
There are four event types — Gathering (green), Support (blue), Milestone (amber) and Birthday (teal). Choose the type that best fits your event.
Can I create events just for my household?
Yes — go to the Events tab in the Household space. Events created there are visible to your household members only and are not shared with the wider family group.
How do I RSVP to an event?
On any event card tap Going, Maybe or Can't Make It. Your response is visible to other family members and the going count updates in real time.
Legacy Vault
What is the Legacy Vault?
The Legacy Vault is a private, encrypted space where you can store documents, personal letters, voice messages and photos that you want to leave for your loved ones. It is completely private — only you can see it while you are alive.
Who can access my Legacy Vault?
Only you can access your Legacy Vault. You designate a recipient who will gain access after you pass away, following a 30-day verification period to protect against fraud.
How does the Legacy Vault get released?
Your designated recipient submits a release request. A 30-day grace period begins during which the request can be contested. After identity verification is completed, the recipient receives secure access to download your vault contents.
Is the Legacy Vault available on all plans?
The Legacy Vault is available on Standard and Premium plans. Free plan members do not have access to the Legacy Vault.
Billing
What plans are available?
We offer three plans: Free (1 member, 2GB storage, photos only), Standard ($4.99/mo — up to 4 members, 10GB, voice recordings, videos up to 750MB, Legacy Vault), and Premium ($9.99/mo — up to 4 members, 100GB, videos up to 3GB, Legacy Vault, priority support). Extra members can be added at $1.99/mo each and extra storage at $2.99/mo per 25GB block.
Can I cancel my subscription?
Yes — go to Settings → Subscription → Cancel Plan. You'll retain access to paid features until the end of your current billing period. We don't offer refunds for partial billing periods.
How do I add extra members?
On Standard and Premium plans, you can add extra household members at $1.99/mo each. Go to Settings → Subscription → Manage Plan to add more.
How do I add extra storage?
On Standard and Premium plans you can add storage in 25GB blocks at $2.99/mo per block. Go to Settings → Subscription → Manage Plan to add more storage.
Is there an annual discount?
Yes — paying annually saves you 33%. Standard is $39.99/yr (vs $59.88/yr monthly) and Premium is $79.99/yr (vs $119.88/yr monthly).
Privacy
Who can see my household content?
Only members of your household can see household content by default. You choose what to share with the wider family group — nothing is shared automatically.
Does Rootz & Branches sell my data?
Never. We do not sell, rent or share your personal data with third parties for advertising or any other commercial purpose. Your family's memories stay in your family.
How is my data stored?
All media is stored securely on Cloudflare R2 with encryption at rest and in transit. Your family data is stored with row-level security ensuring only authorized family members can access it.
Can I download all my family data?
Yes — go to Settings → Data → Download My Content to request a full export of all your family's memories, photos, voice recordings and timeline events.
Technical
What file types are supported?
Photos: JPG, PNG, HEIC. Voice: M4A, MP3, WAV. Video (Standard and Premium): MP4, MOV. Maximum file sizes depend on your plan.
Why can't I upload videos?
Video uploads are available on Standard and Premium plans. Free plan members cannot upload videos. Upgrade your plan to unlock video uploads.
What happens if the Root Admin passes away?
Household admins can trigger a Succession Vote through Settings → Succession Plan. The family votes to elect a new Root Admin. This ensures the family legacy continues regardless of what happens.
Is there a web version of the app?
Yes — Rootz & Branches is available on both mobile (iOS and Android) and web. All features are available on both platforms with layouts optimized for each.
How do I report inappropriate content?
Tap the three dots (⋯) on any memory card and select Report. Our team will review it within 24 hours. You can also contact us directly at support@rootzandbranches.com.
Still need help?
Can't find the answer you're looking for? Our support team is here to help.
We typically respond within 24 hours.