🤩 General
Do I need to pay to use the app?
No, you do not need to pay to use hello aurora. Our aurora app is free to use, however you can upgrade your account to a Pro version for more features.
Who is developing this app?
Thank you for asking! hello aurora is my hobby project that combines my passion for auroras and development. However, I have a full-time job, and like everyone, I get tired. This means I have limited time to dedicate to adding new features and improvements, which can take a while to implement. I truly appreciate your patience and understanding as I do my best with the time I have.
Does the app available in another language than English?
Hello aurora is only available in English but we are trying our best to make the content as simple as we can so everyone can understand it easily.
Why don’t you make the app available in another language such as Chinese and German?
Due to our limited resources, we are not able to implement more languages into the app.
🌤️ Forecast
Is the app only working for aurora in Iceland?
You can download hello aurora app from everywhere in the world and can be used in most aurora countries such as Finland, Svalbard, Sweden, Norway, Faroe Islands, United Kingdom, Ireland, Iceland, Greenland, Canada, Northern USA, Alaska and more.
Is the forecast available on the website?
Unfortunately, no, the hello aurora app is only available on iOS and Android. We do not have the resources to make it available on the website.
Can I get the forecast for the Southern lights?
The basic forecast data from NOAA is available and functional. However, we lack real-time data from spatial agencies for the Southern Hemisphere. As a result, you won't be able to share moments or report sightings in these areas, as we have no way to verify the accuracy of such reports.
📷 Moments
Why can I only upload a 1 hour old picture at most?
To make the app as real-time as possible we only allow photos that are 1 hour old or less.
How do I get my Northern Lights picture featured on the hello aurora app?
From time to time, we choose the best aurora photos to be featured on the moment page. If you wish your photo to be featured we recommend sharing your fabulous moment on the app and you may be pick for the next featured moments.
Can I upload videos of the Northern Lights?
Unfortunately, you can only upload pictures on hello aurora. We do not have the resources to make a video option.
Why can't I share my photo from my location?
The app says "The aurora oval has passed, come back again tonight to check the conditions." or "Aurora can rarely be spotted at your location. It generally occurs between 60° and 75° latitudes. You might see them around X nT." and I can't upload my photo.
We work with spatial agencies to provide accurate aurora intensity data for your location. To ensure quality, we only allow photo uploads when the aurora activity in your area is low enough.
However, real-time data may be unavailable for certain parts of Canada and the United States. As we are not a spatial agency, we cannot control this limitation. To maintain the integrity of the platform, we restrict photo uploads in these regions rather than risk a flood of inaccurate or misleading northern light photos.
⚙️ Settings
How do I change my aurora forecast location on the app?
You are able to add change change location under the Pro plan. To change or add another location please go to More > Settings and there you will be able to configure it as you like.
Can I only receive Northern Lights notifications from my current location?
By default, if you allowed it, you will receive aurora alerts and notifications based on your GPS location. However, by subscribing to the Pro plan you can decide to choose others countries to receive notification from, even if you are not there.
I receive many notifications from away from my location, that's not very helpful, can I change that?
By default, you will receive notifications for the whole country that are selected in your settings. However, you can define notifications by kilometer ranges around your GPS location, with different values under the Pro plan.
How do I get the aurora alert notification?
Go to More > Settings. Under the Settings section, you will find Configure notifications. There you can manage your notification settings as you like.
👤 Account
Why do I need to create an account?
Aside from being an aurora forecast app, Hello Aurora is also a community of aurora enthusiasts where people can share their moments and interact with each other. By creating an account, you will have access to features such as the ability to post and share your own aurora photos, react to others' moments, and connect with other members of the community who share the same interest in aurora borealis.
Having an account will help us to ensure a safe and respectful community focused on genuine aurora photos and enables us to assist you promptly if you encounter any issues. Please rest assured that your privacy is a priority, and we'll never share your email with anyone.
I forgot my password what can I do?
To reset your password you simply need to press "Forget password" when trying to log in, from there you will be able to reset your password.
How can I verify my account?
Once you have registered we will send a verification email to the email you signed up with. From there you can simply press the button on the email to verify your account.
What if I do not receive the verification email?
If you cannot find our email in your inbox please check your junk inbox or spam inbox. If you cannot find the email, you can resend another verification email by yourself in the more screen. If it still doesn't work, please contact us and we will help you with this.
How do I delete my account?
You can go to "more" > "your profile" > "edit" > scroll down, and a delete option will be there. That will remove all the data that might have been saved during your time using the app. There is no undo possible, no data will be able to be recovered.
How do I cancel my subscription?
To cancel your subscription please follow the instruction from Play Store or App Store.
I have subscribed to the Pro version but my account is not upgraded
Please send us a screenshot of your receipt (with the order ID, visible) for the purchase and we will look into this for you. To check your purchase history, just follow these simple instructions: For Android users, check your Play Store, and for iOS users, check your App Store. We'll be more than happy to assist you with this!