## Frequently Asked Questions

Last Updated: [22 Aug 2023]

### Account Management

**How do I reset my password?**  
You don't need one! Sardine Shield is password-free. To log in, you'll receive a secure one-time password (OTP) on your registered mobile number. This means you never have to worry about remembering or resetting a password.

**I am not getting an OTP. What should I do?**  
Sorry to hear you're having trouble! Here’s what you can do:

1. **Check Your Number:** Make sure the mobile number you entered is correct.
2. **Check Your Signal:** Ensure your phone has good network connectivity.
3. **Be Patient:** It can sometimes take up to 60 seconds for the OTP to arrive.
4. **Check Your Inbox:** Make sure your SMS inbox isn’t full.

If you've tried all of the above, tap the "Resend OTP" button. If it still doesn't work, please contact our support team.

**How can I update my name, email, or profile picture?**  
It's simple!

1. Tap the **Profile** icon (usually at the top right) on the home screen.
2. Select **"Edit Profile"**.

Update your details and tap **"Save"**.

**How do I delete my account?**  
We're sorry to see you go! You can delete your account by going to the Profile section on the home screen of the app. Please be aware that this action is permanent and will erase all your data from our systems.

### App Features & Usage

**What is my Protection Score?**  
Your Protection Score is a simple rating of how secure your device is with Sardine Shield. The higher the score, the safer you are! It's based on the permissions you've granted the app. The more permissions you give us (like for Calls, SMS, etc.), the better we can shield you from threats, increasing your score.

**How can I report a scam number or message?**  
Found a suspicious call, SMS, or link? You can report it and help protect the community!

1. Go to the relevant tab: **Calls, SMS, Links, or Notifications**.
2. Find the suspicious item you want to report.
3. Simply **swipe on it** and mark it as a scam.

**I accidentally marked something as a scam. How do I undo that?**  
Mistakes happen! To undo a report:

1. Go to the tab where you reported the item (Calls, SMS, etc.).
2. Tap on the **"Scam"** section to view your reported items.

Find the one you marked by mistake and **swipe it again** to unmark it.

**What is ‘Scan Now’ functionality for?**  
The **"Scan Now"** button lets you proactively check your recent calls and messages. It quickly analyzes them for any missed threats or suspicious activity, giving you instant peace of mind.

**Why do I need to give Accessibility permission?**  
To protect you from dangerous links in real-time. If you accidentally tap a malicious link, this permission allows us to instantly block the harmful site and keep you safe.

- **Privacy Assurance:** We only watch for dangerous links. It's like having a silent guardian watching out only for scam links. You're in control. We're just here to help.

**Why do I need to give Overlay permission?**  
To warn you about scam calls instantly. This permission lets us show a small, non-intrusive alert on your screen when a potential scammer is calling. Unlike a standard notification which can be easily missed, an on-screen overlay ensures you see the warning _before_ you answer.

- **You Are in Control:** We never block your calls. This is just a warning to help you make a safer choice.

**Why do I need to give Contacts permission?**  
To help you distinguish trusted callers from unknown numbers. By accessing your contacts, we can:

- Identify calls and SMS from people you know, so you can focus on the unknowns.
- **Protect your privacy** by skipping analysis of messages and calls from your saved contacts.

**Why do I need to give Notification permission?**  
To find scams hidden in your app notifications. Scammers now use notifications from apps like WhatsApp or Telegram to send malicious links. This permission allows us to:

- Scan incoming notifications for dangerous links.
- Send you an alert if we find a threat.
- **Privacy Assurance:** We only look for threats and don't read your personal messages.

**Why do I need to give Phone & SMS permissions?**  
This is essential for our core protection, as most scams arrive via calls and texts. Granting this permission allows us to:

- Identify and warn you about known scam numbers when they call.
- Analyze incoming SMS for malicious links and phishing attempts.
- Ignore calls and messages from your saved contacts to protect your privacy.

**Why do I need to give Ignore Battery Optimization permission?**  
To provide you with 24/7 protection. Modern phones try to save battery by "sleeping" apps that aren't open on the screen. However, scams can happen at any time. This permission ensures Sardine Protect stays active in the background, ready to detect a threat the moment it arrives. Without it, our protection might be delayed.

**My question or concern is not addressed in this FAQ, what do I do?**  
No worries! Just drop us a note on protect.support@sardine.ai and our team would get back to you at the earliest.