Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1

How do I get started with Principle?

Answer

Download the Principle app and create an account. You'll start with a quick assessment to understand your current civic knowledge, then we'll recommend topics that match your interests.

Question 2

Is Principle free to use?

Answer

Yes, Principle offers free access to core content. Premium features are available for users who want deeper analysis and additional learning resources.

Question 3

What devices can I use Principle on?

Answer

Principle is available on iOS, Android, and web browsers. Your progress syncs across all devices, so you can continue learning wherever you are.

Question 4

Can I use Principle offline?

Answer

Yes, you can download topics and questions for offline access. This feature is available for premium users and allows you to learn anywhere, anytime.

Question 5

How often is content updated?

Answer

We update our content daily with new topics based on breaking news and current events. Our team fact-checks all information and ensures accuracy before publishing.

Question 6

How are quizzes difficulty levels determined?

Answer

Our adaptive difficulty system adjusts based on your performance. As you answer questions correctly, the difficulty increases to keep you challenged. You can also manually set your preferred difficulty level in Platform Settings.

Question 7

What are learning streaks?

Answer

Learning streaks track consecutive days you engage with Principle. They're a fun way to maintain consistent learning habits. Your streak resets after a day of inactivity, but you can customize reminder settings to stay on track.

Question 8

How do I create my own quiz collections?

Answer

Visit "My Collections" to create custom quiz sets. You can add questions, organize them by topic, and share them with friends or learning pods. Collections help you personalize your learning experience.

Question 9

What are learning pods?

Answer

Learning pods are groups where you can collaborate with friends and classmates. Share progress, compete on quizzes, and discuss topics together. Pods help make learning more social and interactive.

Question 10

How do I change my username?

Answer

Go to Profile Settings > Edit Profile to change your username. Usernames must be 3-20 characters with letters, numbers, and underscores only. Check availability before saving your changes.

Question 11

Can I make my profile private?

Answer

Yes, control who sees your profile in Profile Settings > Edit Profile under "Profile Visibility." Choose between Public, Friends Only, or Private options. Reminder: Your account settings and platform preferences are always private and only visible to you, regardless of profile visibility settings.

Question 12

How do I upload a profile photo?

Answer

In Profile Settings > Edit Profile, click the camera icon on your avatar to upload a photo. We accept JPG, PNG, and WebP formats up to 5MB. Crop and confirm before uploading. Note: Avoid uploading photos containing sensitive documents, IDs, or personal information that could compromise your privacy.

Question 13

What does my bio field do?

Answer

Your bio is a short personal description visible to others based on your profile visibility settings. Use it to share your civic interests or learning goals. Maximum 500 characters. Important: Never include personal information like phone numbers, addresses, email, or any government IDs in your bio or profile fields.

Question 14

How do I change my password?

Answer

Go to Profile Settings > Privacy & Security to change your password. You'll need to enter your current password first for security verification.

Question 15

What is learning pace and how do I adjust it?

Answer

Learning pace controls how quickly new content is introduced. "Self-paced" lets you progress at your own speed, while "guided" follows a structured curriculum. Change this in Platform Settings > Learning Preferences.

Question 16

How do I enable dark mode?

Answer

Go to Platform Settings > Appearance and select "Dark" theme. Choose "System" to automatically match your device's theme settings.

Question 17

Can I disable animations?

Answer

Yes, if you prefer a simpler interface or have motion sensitivity, toggle "Animations" off in Platform Settings > Accessibility. This will disable transitions and visual effects.

Question 18

What are study time goals?

Answer

Set daily or weekly study goals in Platform Settings > Goals. Principle will send reminders to help you stay on track with your learning objectives.

Question 19

How do I customize notification settings?

Answer

Manage notifications in Platform Settings > Notifications. Control reminders for streaks, achievements, pod activity, and content updates independently.

Question 20

What does "Reduced Motion" do?

Answer

Enabling "Reduced Motion" minimizes animations and transitions throughout the app. This is helpful for users sensitive to motion or with vestibular disorders.

Question 21

Can I enable high contrast mode?

Answer

Yes, toggle "High Contrast" in Platform Settings > Accessibility for better visibility. This increases text and element contrast for easier reading.

Question 22

How is my data protected?

Answer

We encrypt all data in transit using TLS 1.3 and at rest using AES-256 encryption. Our infrastructure is SOC 2 Type II certified and fully compliant with GDPR and CCPA. We never sell your personal data. Read our full privacy policy for detailed security measures. Remember: You play a crucial role in protecting your privacy by never sharing Social Security numbers, passport numbers, addresses, or phone numbers in your profile.

Question 23

Can I delete my account?

Answer

Yes, go to Profile Settings > Privacy & Security to delete your account. This removes all personal data within 30 days. Your learning history in public pods will be anonymized.

Question 24

How do I download my data?

Answer

Use the "Export Data" feature in Profile Settings > Privacy & Security to download your learning history, progress, and achievements in a standard format.

Question 25

Is my learning data sold to third parties?

Answer

No, we never sell your personal data. We're FERPA and COPPA compliant. Educational records are isolated with enhanced protections. See our privacy policy for complete details.

Question 26

How can I control AI features?

Answer

Toggle AI features on/off in Platform Settings > AI & Learning. You can disable AI assistance, content generation, and recommendations. All decisions are respected immediately.

Question 27

What happens to my data when I delete the app?

Answer

Your account and data remain on our servers. Deleting the app just removes it from your device. Your progress will be restored when you log back in.

Question 28

What are the minimum system requirements?

Answer

iOS 14+ or Android 10+ for mobile. For web, any modern browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge) from the last 2 versions works well.

Question 29

Why is the app not syncing?

Answer

Check your internet connection and ensure you're logged in. Force refresh by closing and reopening the app. If issues persist, go to Settings > App Cache and clear data.

Question 30

How much storage does Principle use?

Answer

The app takes about 150-200MB. Offline content downloads vary by amount downloaded, typically 50-500MB. You can manage downloads in Settings > Storage.

Question 31

Does Principle use a lot of data?

Answer

In online mode, Principle uses minimal data unless downloading large videos. Estimated usage: 5-10MB per hour of use. Use offline mode to avoid data usage entirely.

Question 32

What should I do if the app crashes?

Answer

Force close the app and reopen it. Clear cache in Settings > Storage. Update to the latest version via your app store. Contact support if crashes persist.

Question 33

Why does the app feel slow?

Answer

Try closing other apps, clearing cache, or enabling "Reduce Motion" in Accessibility settings. Update to the latest version. Slower networks may affect responsiveness.