If you're experiencing any issues or have questions about HalalSpot, you're in the right place. Our support team is here to assist you. Please review the following information before reaching out for help.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How do I scan a product? Open the app and tap the Barcode Scan button to scan a product barcode with your camera, or tap Ingredient Scan to capture an ingredient label photo. You can also select an existing photo from your photo library. Once the product is identified or the label is captured, HalalSpot will analyze the ingredients and display the halal status.

2. How does the halal analysis work? HalalSpot checks product ingredients against built-in local databases of 200+ E-code additives, cosmetic ingredients, and halal keywords. Each ingredient is evaluated and flagged as halal, haram, or doubtful. For products scanned via barcode, ingredient data is retrieved from the OpenFoodFacts database. All local analysis is performed entirely on your device — no data is sent to external services.

3. What is the AI Detailed Analysis? For a deeper breakdown, you can request an AI Detailed Analysis powered by Google's Gemini AI. This provides a more comprehensive evaluation of the product's ingredients. Your product photo and ingredient data are sent to the AI service only when you actively tap the "Analyze" button. Please note that all AI-generated results are for informational purposes only and should not replace consultation with qualified Islamic scholars.

4. What are madhab-specific rulings? Different Islamic schools of jurisprudence (Hanafi, Shafi'i, Maliki, Hanbali) have varying opinions on certain ingredients such as E120 (carmine), E441 (gelatin), and alcohol in cosmetics. You can select your madhab in the app, and HalalSpot will adjust rulings for debated ingredients according to your chosen school.

5. How do I select or change my madhab? You can select your madhab during onboarding or change it anytime from the Settings screen. Your preference is stored locally on your device and is not shared with Appitudex.

6. Can I scan cosmetics and personal care products? Yes! HalalSpot supports food, pet food, cosmetics, and personal care products. For cosmetic products, the app checks for ingredients like collagen, glycerin, carmine, lanolin, and alcohol content. Lip and oral products are evaluated more strictly since they can be ingested.

7. Can I use the AI Halal Expert chat? Yes. You can chat with our AI Halal Expert to ask questions about specific ingredients, E-codes, or halal rulings. Your messages are sent to Google's Gemini AI for processing only when you actively send them. No data is transmitted without your direct action.

8. Is my product data stored or shared? Your scan history, saved products, favorites, and analysis results are stored locally on your device and are not accessible to Appitudex. When you request an AI analysis or use the AI chat, your product data is sent to Google's Gemini AI for processing. No personally identifying information such as your name or email address is ever transmitted. For more details, please review our Privacy Policy.

9. How do I view my past scans? Your scan history is saved locally on your device and can be accessed from the History tab. You can browse previous scans, filter by halal/haram/doubtful status, sort by date, and save frequently purchased products to your Favorites for quick access.

10. The product wasn't found after scanning. What should I do? If a barcode scan doesn't return a result, the product may not yet be in the OpenFoodFacts database. In this case, tap "Scan Ingredient List" to capture the ingredient label with your camera. HalalSpot will analyze the ingredients directly from the photo using AI-powered OCR.

11. The halal status doesn't seem right. What should I do? Halal rulings for certain ingredients are subject to scholarly debate and may differ between madhabs. If you believe an ingredient's status is incorrect, you can tap "Report Error" on any result screen to notify our team. Please include the product name, barcode, and a description of the issue. Product formulations may also change over time, so a previously scanned product may have different ingredients now.

12. How do I browse the E-code and additive database? Tap the Additives tab at the bottom of the app. You can browse all 200+ E-codes, cosmetic ingredients, debated alcohols, and halal alcohols. Use the search bar to find specific additives, and filter by category or halal status. Each entry includes the additive's source, category, description, notes, and madhab-specific rulings where applicable.

13. Is my personal data secure? Yes, we take your privacy seriously. Your scan history, favorites, and analysis results are stored only on your device and are never uploaded to Appitudex servers. Data is only transmitted to Google's Gemini AI when you explicitly request an analysis or send a chat message. You can review our Privacy Policy for full details.

14. I'm having trouble with the app. What should I do? If you're experiencing technical issues, try restarting the app or updating to the latest version from the App Store. Make sure your camera permissions are enabled in your device settings. If the issue persists, please contact our support team with details about the problem.

Contacting Support

If you can't find the information you're looking for in the FAQ, or if you're experiencing technical difficulties, our support team is ready to assist you. Please send an email to [email protected] with the following details: