Support & FAQ
Reality Check: Lucid Dreams
Quick Links
Getting Started
How do I get started with Reality Check?
After downloading the app, you'll go through a brief onboarding that explains the science behind reality checks and helps you set up your notification schedule. We recommend starting with 10 checks per day between your wake and bed times (default 9am-9pm). The app will guide you through the setup process step by step.
How many reality checks should I do per day?
Most practitioners recommend 10-15 reality checks per day minimum. Research shows this frequency, combined with quality (10+ seconds of genuine questioning per check), produces the best results. The app lets you customize from 5-20 checks per day based on your schedule and preferences.
Why am I not receiving notifications?
First, check that you granted notification permissions during onboarding. Go to iPhone Settings > Notifications > Reality Check and ensure "Allow Notifications" is ON. Also verify that quiet hours aren't blocking your notifications, and that your wake/bed time schedule is set correctly in the app settings. The app schedules up to 6 days of notifications in advance—if you change settings, restart the app to refresh the schedule.
Notifications & Settings
Can I customize when notifications appear?
Yes! You can set your wake time and bed time to control when notifications are active (default 9am-9pm). You can also add quiet hours to block notifications during meetings, meals, or other activities. The app distributes notifications evenly throughout your active hours, avoiding the times you've blocked.
How do quiet hours work?
Quiet hours let you block notifications during specific time periods. For example, you might block 12pm-1pm for lunch, or 3pm-4pm for a regular meeting. You can create up to 6 quiet hour blocks. The app will automatically skip these times when scheduling reality check notifications.
What are the different prompt categories?
Reality Check includes 50+ prompts across 4 categories: Physical checks (finger through palm, finger counting), Environmental checks (text reading, light switches), Direct questions ("Are you dreaming?"), and Creative checks ("Can you levitate?"). The app uses an anti-repetition system to avoid showing the same prompts repeatedly, keeping checks mindful rather than automatic.
Should I enable time-appropriate prompts?
Time-appropriate prompts adjust based on when the check appears. For example, morning prompts might reference waking up, while evening prompts might reference the day ending. This feature is optional—some users prefer variety across all categories, while others find time-appropriate prompts more engaging. Try both to see what works for you.
Using the App
How do I log my dreams?
The app includes a morning check-in feature. When you open the app in the morning (or whenever you wake up), you can log whether you remembered your dream and if it was lucid. You can also add optional notes about the dream. This data helps the app provide insights about patterns between your reality checks and lucid dreams.
What do the insights and statistics show?
Once you've logged enough dreams (at least a few lucid and non-lucid entries), the app analyzes patterns in your data. It compares how many reality checks you did on days when you had lucid dreams versus days when you didn't. This helps you understand if your check frequency is working, or if you need to adjust your practice.
How do I increase my streak?
Your streak tracks consecutive days of completing your daily reality check goal. To maintain your streak, complete at least one manual reality check each day (using the "Do Check Now" button). The streak counter appears on your dashboard and serves as motivation to stay consistent with your practice.
Can I do reality checks manually without waiting for notifications?
Yes! The app includes a "Do Check Now" button on the main dashboard. Tap it anytime to perform a manual reality check. The app will show you a random prompt, track the check toward your daily goal, and display an encouraging message or tip. Manual checks are useful when you experience a dream sign or unusual situation during the day.
How long does it take to see results?
Building the reality check habit takes approximately 21 days of consistent practice. However, seeing results (lucid dreams triggered by reality checks) typically takes 4-8 weeks when combining reality testing with other techniques like MILD. Research shows reality checks work best when paired with proven methods—not as a standalone technique.
Privacy & Technical
Is my data private and secure?
Yes, absolutely. Reality Check stores all data locally on your device using iOS's secure storage system. We don't collect, transmit, or store any personal data on external servers. Your dream logs, reality check history, and settings stay completely private on your device. There are no accounts, no cloud sync, and no analytics.
Will Reality Check work on iPad?
Yes! Reality Check is a universal iOS app that works on both iPhone and iPad. The app adapts to the larger iPad screen while maintaining all functionality. Your data syncs automatically if you use the same Apple ID on multiple devices (through iCloud, if enabled).
Why does the app stop scheduling notifications after 6 days?
iOS limits apps to 64 pending notifications at any time. Since Reality Check schedules 10+ notifications per day, we schedule up to 6 days in advance to stay within this limit. The app automatically refreshes notifications when you open it (if fewer than 20 are pending), ensuring continuous coverage.
How do I change notification sounds?
Go to Settings in the app and tap "Notification Sounds." You can choose from 4 high-quality sounds (Low Bell, High Bell, Gong, Chalice Chime) and select whether to use a single sound consistently or rotate through multiple sounds. You can preview each sound before selecting.
Can I export my data?
Currently, all data is stored locally in standard iOS formats (UserDefaults and JSON). While there's no built-in export feature yet, your data persists as long as you keep the app installed. A future update may include export functionality for backing up your dream logs and statistics.
Troubleshooting & Support
What if reality checks aren't working for me?
If you're not seeing results after 4-6 weeks of consistent practice, review these factors: Are you doing 10+ checks daily with genuine questioning (not mechanical checking)? Are you combining reality checks with MILD and WBTB techniques? Do you have good dream recall? Reality checks work best as part of a comprehensive practice. See our complete guide for troubleshooting tips.
Does Reality Check include MILD or other techniques?
Reality Check focuses specifically on building the reality checking habit through notifications and tracking. For MILD, WBTB, and other techniques, check out our comprehensive guides on the Oneironaut blog. Reality checks work best when combined with these proven methods.
How do I contact support?
For questions, bug reports, or feature requests, email us at welcome@oneironauts.io. We typically respond within 1-2 business days. Include your iOS version and any relevant details about your issue for faster assistance.
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