Account Settings & Profile

Your account settings control your personal information, security, and subscription. This guide covers everything you need to manage your PlantKeeper account effectively.

🎯 What You'll Learn

• How to update your profile and personal information
• Security settings including password and 2FA
• Managing your subscription and billing
• Account data management and deletion

⚡ Quick Start

Access Settings:

1. Click your profile icon (top-right corner)
2. Select "Settings" from dropdown
3. Or press Ctrl/Cmd + ,

Common Tasks:

• Update profile: Settings → Profile → Edit information
• Change password: Settings → Security → Change Password
• View subscription: Settings → Subscription → Current Plan

📚 Complete Guide

Profile Settings

Your profile represents you in PlantKeeper and (if enabled) in community features.

Personal Information:

Display Name:

• Name shown throughout PlantKeeper
• Visible to team members (in team accounts)
• Update anytime - no restrictions
• Example: "Sarah's Garden" or "Plant Mom"

Email Address:

• Your login email
• Where notifications are sent
• Requires verification to change
• Used for password recovery

Profile Photo:

• Upload custom avatar (JPG or PNG)
• Maximum file size: 5 MB
• Shows in comments, shared plants, team roster
• Square photos work best (auto-cropped to circle)

Bio (Optional):

• Short description about you
• Share interests, specialties, location
• Visible in community features (if enabled)
• Example: "Houseplant enthusiast from Seattle. Love aroids and ferns!"

How to Update Profile:

1. Go to Settings → Profile
2. Click Edit Profile
3. Update desired fields
4. Click Save Changes

Security Settings

Protect your account with strong security measures.

Change Password:

1. Go to Settings → Security
2. Click Change Password
3. Enter current password
4. Enter new password (twice)
5. Click Update Password

Password Requirements:

• Minimum 12 characters (recommended)
• Mix of letters, numbers, symbols
• Not used on other sites
• Changed every 6-12 months

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):

Why Enable 2FA:

• Extra security layer beyond password
• Protects against unauthorized access
• Required for team admin roles

How to Enable:

1. Go to Settings → Security
2. Click Enable Two-Factor Authentication
3. Scan QR code with authenticator app (Google Authenticator, Authy, 1Password)
4. Enter 6-digit code to verify
5. Save backup codes (important!)

Authenticator Apps:

• Google Authenticator (iOS/Android)
• Authy (iOS/Android/Desktop)
• 1Password (built-in)
• Microsoft Authenticator

Backup Codes:

• 10 one-time use codes
• Use if you lose your phone
• Store safely (password manager or printed)
• Generate new codes if lost

Email Verification:

• Verify your email after signup
• Click link in verification email
• Resend if not received (check spam)
• Change email requires re-verification

Subscription Management

Current Plan Information:

View your subscription details:

• Plan tier (Free, Pro, Team)
• Renewal date (next billing date)
• Payment method (card ending in...)
• Storage usage (used / available)

Plan Comparison:

Free Plan ($0/month):

• Up to 10 plants
• 500 MB storage
• Basic features (reminders, diary, growth tracking)
• Community support
• Ads supported

Pro Plan ($4.99/month):

• Unlimited plants 🌱
• 5 GB storage 💾
• All features (Plant Doctor unlimited, advanced analytics)
• Priority support 🎧
• No ads ✨
• Export capabilities

Team Plan ($14.99/month):

• Everything in Pro, plus:
• Multiple users (up to 5)
• 25 GB shared storage
• Team collaboration features
• Admin controls and permissions
• Phone support 📞

Upgrade or Downgrade Plan

Upgrade to Pro/Team:

1. Go to Settings → Subscription
2. Click Upgrade Plan
3. Select desired plan
4. Enter payment information
5. Confirm upgrade
6. Immediate access to new features!

Downgrade Plan:

1. Go to Settings → Subscription
2. Click Change Plan
3. Select Free Plan (or lower tier)
4. Confirm downgrade
5. Access continues until period ends
6. Features downgrade on renewal date

What Happens When Downgrading:

• Keep data for 30 days (grace period)
• Plant limit enforced (archive excess plants)
• Storage reduced (compress or delete photos)
• Premium features disabled

Billing Management

View Billing History:

• Past payments and invoices
• Download PDF invoices
• Export for accounting

Update Payment Method:

1. Go to Settings → Billing
2. Click Update Payment Method
3. Enter new card details
4. Set as primary or backup

Billing Address:

• Update address anytime
• Affects invoice generation
• Required for tax purposes (some regions)

Cancel Subscription:

1. Go to Settings → Subscription
2. Scroll to Cancel Plan
3. Select reason (helps us improve)
4. Confirm cancellation
5. Access continues until period ends

After Cancellation:

• No further charges
• Data retained for 30 days
• Re-subscribe anytime (no penalty)
• Can export data before loss

Account Data Management

Download Your Data:

1. Go to Settings → Data & Privacy
2. Click Export Data
3. Select format (JSON, CSV, or PDF)
4. Choose scope (all data or specific date range)
5. Click Generate Export
6. Download link sent to email (within 1 hour)

Export Includes:

• All plant information
• Complete diary history
• Growth records and measurements
• Photos (original resolution)
• Reminders and completion history
• Settings and preferences

Delete Account:

⚠️ Warning: Account deletion is permanent and cannot be undone!

Before Deleting:

1. Export your data (see above)
2. Cancel active subscription
3. Download any photos you want to keep
4. Say goodbye to your digital plants 😢

How to Delete:

1. Go to Settings → Account
2. Scroll to bottom: Danger Zone
3. Click Delete Account
4. Read warnings carefully
5. Type your email to confirm
6. Enter password
7. Click Permanently Delete Account

What Gets Deleted:

• All plants and plant data
• All diary entries and growth records
• All photos (cannot be recovered)
• All reminders and settings
• Account and profile information

What Happens After:

• Immediate logout
• Data deleted within 48 hours
• Email removed from mailing lists
• Team accounts: you'll be removed from teams

💡 Tips & Tricks

Profile Tips:

• Use a clear profile photo (helps in team settings)
• Keep display name recognizable
• Add bio if using community features
• Update email if you change addresses

Security Best Practices:

• Enable 2FA (highly recommended!)
• Use unique password for PlantKeeper
• Store backup codes safely
• Don't share account credentials
• Log out on shared devices

Subscription Tips:

• Start with Free plan (try before you buy)
• Upgrade when you hit 10 plants
• Annual billing saves 20% (if available)
• Cancel anytime (no penalty)

Data Management:

• Export data monthly (backup habit)
• Review storage usage quarterly
• Compress old photos if nearing limit
• Delete unused test plants

❓ Common Questions

Can I change my email address?

Yes! Go to Settings → Profile → Email. You'll need to verify the new email address by clicking a link sent to the new email. Your old email remains active until verification is complete.

I forgot my password. How do I reset it?

Click "Forgot Password?" on the login page. Enter your email, and we'll send a password reset link. Link expires in 1 hour. If you enabled 2FA, you'll need your authenticator app or backup code after resetting.

What happens if I lose my 2FA device?

Use one of your backup codes to log in, then disable 2FA and set it up again with a new device. If you lost your backup codes too, contact support with proof of identity (may take 24-48 hours).

Can I transfer my Pro subscription to someone else?

No, subscriptions are non-transferable. However, you can export your data, cancel your subscription, and the new person can import your data into their own account.

How do I get a refund?

Contact support within 30 days of purchase. We offer full refunds for first-time subscribers if you're not satisfied. Subsequent refunds are evaluated case-by-case.

🔗 Related Topics

• Notification Preferences - Configure alerts and reminders
• Display Customization - Personalize your interface
• Data & Privacy - Control your data and privacy settings
• Advanced Settings - Power user features

💡 Pro Tip: Enable 2FA and set up automatic monthly data exports for peace of mind. Your future self will thank you!