App Support — Zoel AI Companion

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Zoel need microphone access?

Voice is the primary interaction mode for Zoel. All speech-to-text (STT) conversion is performed on-device using a locally bundled Whisper model. Audio is processed in real time and immediately discarded — it is never stored or transmitted. Microphone access is only active while you are actively speaking to Zoel. You can revoke permission at any time in your device settings.

Is my health data safe?

Yes. Health data never leaves your device. Zoel reads health metrics from Apple HealthKit (iOS) or Google Health Connect (Android) only with your explicit, opt-in permission. All processing happens locally — your health information is never shared with, uploaded to, or accessible by EqualInformation or any third party. You can revoke health access at any time in your device's privacy settings.

Does Zoel require internet?

No. Core features work 100% offline after the initial app setup and knowledge download. Zoel's first two knowledge layers (bundled knowledge and your on-device personal data) are fully offline. An internet connection is only used if you optionally enable Layer 3 internet enrichment or choose to use cloud AI with your own API key — both of which are off by default.

What is Layer 3 enrichment?

Zoel uses a three-layer knowledge architecture:

• Layer 1 — Bundled knowledge: A curated knowledge base shipped with the app. Works fully offline, always available.
• Layer 2 — Device data: Your health, calendar, and personal context, processed entirely on-device.
• Layer 3 — Internet enrichment (optional): Fetches current information from trusted web sources to supplement responses.

When Layer 3 is enabled, queries sent to external sources are anonymized — no personal data (name, health data, calendar, conversation history, or device identifiers) is included. Layer 3 is off by default and can be toggled in Settings → Knowledge → Internet Enrichment.

How do I delete my data?

You have full control over your data at all times:

• In-app: Go to Settings → Privacy → Delete All Data. This permanently removes all stored conversations, notes, and cached knowledge from the app.
• iOS: Settings → General → iPhone Storage → Zoel → Delete App
• Android: Settings → Apps → Zoel → Storage → Clear Data, or uninstall the app

All data is permanently removed from your device. EqualInformation holds no copy of your data and cannot assist with recovery.

What languages does Zoel support?

Zoel supports 99 languages for voice interaction and conversation, powered by on-device Whisper speech recognition. The interface language follows your device's system language settings.

What is the "Bring Your Own Key" cloud AI option?

Optionally, you can connect Zoel to a third-party cloud AI provider (such as OpenAI or Anthropic) using your own API key. When enabled, queries go directly from your device to the provider — they are not routed through EqualInformation servers. Your API key is stored only on your device in encrypted local storage. This feature is entirely optional; Zoel works fully offline without it.

How is my data encrypted?

All data stored on your device by Zoel is encrypted using AES-256 via SQLCipher. Any network requests made by the app use HTTPS exclusively. Your API keys (if you choose to add any) are stored in encrypted local storage and never transmitted to EqualInformation.

When will Zoel be available on the App Store / Google Play?

Zoel is currently in active development. We are targeting a public release in 2026. Follow our website for updates, or contact us below to be notified when the app launches.

Something isn't working correctly. What should I do?

Try these steps:
1. Force-close and reopen the app.
2. Restart your device.
3. Make sure you are running the latest version from the App Store or Google Play.
4. If the issue persists, contact us (see below) with your device model, OS version, and a description of the problem.

Contact Us