Find AC Version

AC Version: 2.39 – in the screenshot below this shows that the latest version you have installed on your iPad is 2.39. Scroll up to see older updates.

AC Version – in this case the latest version you have installed on your iPad is 2.39

Coming Soon

Another way to find out if there’s an update available is to check my Coming Soon web page:

AC Coming Soon web page

There you can find out general info about updated articles and posts, and when an update is available.

When I’m working on a new feature or fixing a bug etc, this is the format, on my Coming Soon page for example:

Version 2.68, available soon.

There would be some info about the update, and maybe screen shots.

This can last for weeks, days and occasionally months until I have finished the coding. Than I state:

Version 2.68, available approx, 24th March 2021

This will be a few days in the future. This is when I submit the new version to Apple for their testing and approval. If they approve it (which can take from six hours to two days), it gets released for update or for purchase to Apple’s App Store. I then state on my website Coming Soon page:

Version 2.68, available now.

Sometimes there might be three or more updates in as many weeks, other times not so frequent.

AC’s version numbering:

AC follows a common method of versioning. Here’s some examples. Version 2.38 is a newer version of AC than 2.37. Version 2.04 is a newer version of AC than version 2.03, etc.

How to update apps manually on your Apple device

turn on/off automatic updates

Apple Support: Update apps manually

1. Export all charts to drop box and import into AC app on the new iPad or
2. Restore from Mac or iCloud

How to transfer data from your old iPad to your new iPad  External website

Export AC Chart Data

Backup AC user data

Once AC is installed or updated via wi-fi from the Apple app store it does not require wi-fi or to be connected to the internet, except for:

• Finance Graph, view #6
• Fixed Stars table web link
• Apple Maps
• AC routines that require a connection to dropbox, eg exporting or importing chart files.

and the various web links to other web sites for help/explanation, mainly skyscript. http://www.skyscript.co.uk/

AC doesn’t require a connection to the internet because AC connects to a SQLite database on your iPad to store and retrieve data and does not rely on external servers. Your data is only ever on your iPad, and on iCloud if you backup your iPad.

The EU Digital Services Act as interpreted by Apple requires me to provide a phone number for the App Store. This phone number is not an AstroConnexions help/support number. Support is only available via email – astroconnexionshelp@gmail.com

Please note that via this phone number:

1. I am unable to supply advice or assistance with buying AstroConnexions.
2. The AstroConnexions app can only be bought through the App Store.
3. The AstroConnexions app can only be upgraded through the App Store, or through Apple’s upgrade mechanism.

Any correspondence should be via astroconnexionshelp@gmail.com

The EU Digital Services Act as interpreted by Apple requires me to provide an address for the App Store. This address is not an office or a meeting place – it is a private residence..

I have the iPad/Mac version of AC and I just bought the iPhone version. How do I get all my iPad charts on to my iPhone.

Do this the following procedure before you create any important charts on your iPhone AC.

Locate your AstroConnexions folder on your iPad – use the Apple Files app. Copy AstroConnexionsUser.sqlite3 from your iPad to your iPhone. You can use airDrop.

Locate your AstroConnexions folder on your iPhone and copy AstroConnexionsUser.sqlite3 into there overwriting the current AstroConnexionsUser.sqlite3

iPhone folder

AstroConnexions iPhone folder

Note that doing this you will lose all of your previous iPhone charts if you have created any. Of course you may want to save this file prior to overwriting it.

If you have the iPhone app and have installed the iPad version of it on you iPad AND you have the iPad version of astroConnexions:\

The Files app will show two AC folders

Both versions

Alternatively batch export all your AC iPad charts to Dropbox and then import them into your AC iPhone app. See below for. a screenshot of the Export/Delete AC charts option

An option in your iPad/iphone settings to load the default AC chart (usually Aaron Spelling) on next app launch has been added.

Why? If the currently viewed AC chart gets corrupted and AC crashes and won’t subsequently load setting this switch will allow AC to load. Then you can delete the offending chart in Export/Delete AC Charts (tap Recent to show the most recently created charts).

Close down AC. Go to your iPad settings, select AstroConnections

iPad settings – scroll to find AC

iPhone – look in Settings -> Apps

iPhone settings – Apps

iPhone app in settings

AC Settings and Information

iPad Settings for AC

Switch the control ON (don’t forget to switch it off when you’re done)

Set the switch on

Here’s the Export/Delete AC charts option

Export/Delete AC charts

Another option is to restore from iCloud

 If restore from iCloud fails to fix the problem and AC continues to crash…

If AC keeps crashing every time you launch AC I can help if you face losing many charts. But DO NOT REINSTALL AC. You will lose all your charts!

Only reinstall AC if you’ve exported your AC chart files. You can then import these back into the newly installed AC.

Restore AC from iCloud if possible. This can be tedious but works well.

If restoring from iCloud don’t backup your data when asked by the process. You need to restore from a backup prior to getting the crash.

Procedure. If all else fails and you haven’t reinstalled AC ( this service is available at no cost from AC ver 2.50 ).

Send me your AstroConnexionsUser.sqlite3 database file which I can test and fix. Note your privacy will always be respected. You will need at least an iPad from 2018 and iOS 12.0+. Note that the following screenshots are using iPadOS 15.1

Files app icon:

Files app icon

Use the Files app to locate the AstroConnexions folder and tap the AstroConnexions folder.

Files app – location of AC

This is what you should see. Tap the AstroConnexionsUser.sqlite3 file

AC files

You should see this. Tap the Share icon and copy to Dropbox, iCloud etc. Send to AC support.

Share AC User database

You can send it to me via email or a link to your dropbox etc.

Once fixed (this may involve deleting one or move chart files) I’ll return the database file.

When you get the database file back from me just reverse the above procedure and overwrite the original file. Note: long-press the fixed AC database file once you have it on your iPad/iPhone and can see it using the Files app and chose Move. Select the AC folder. When prompted select overwrite the old AstroConnexionsUser.sqlite3.

iPad files app and moving the AstroConnexionsUser.sqlite3 file.

Moving the AC database file

Launch AC and see if ok. Let me know.

DIY – fixing AC’s database

For those who have some knowledge of computers and databases, DIY. What do you need?

A SQLite editor is all you need, a PC or a MAC:

DB Browser for SQLite  is what I use – it’s free.

Or for iOS, SQLiteFlow maybe the answer. I haven’t tried it – £8.99.

Deleting the last record should fix the problem. Always backup the backup!

Help me to help you – enable Share with App Developers – it’s on your iPad/iPhone.

Tap the Settings icon and then tap Privacy:

On my iPhone it’s Analytics & Improvements

Analytics & Improvements

Settings icon:

Settings Icon

iPad

Share with app developers

No need to do anything else, except try to run/launch AC again. Apple will send me the crash log automatically, within a day or so, and I can investigate the reason for the crash. And hopefully fix the problem.

From now on Apple will send me your crash logs if AC should crash again. Note that I cannot identify whose AC crash logs I get – there’s no user-identifiable data. I get to see what type of iPad and that’s about it! Plus, of course the code for the crash. I also don’t receive any other app’s crash logs.

eMail AC Support

How to find crash logs on your iPad (if you wish!)

Note that I use Google translate to help with support emails in a language other than English.

Tenga en cuenta que uso el traductor de Google para ayudar con los correos electrónicos de soporte en un idioma que no sea inglés.

Observe que eu uso o Google translate para ajudar com e-mails de suporte em outro idioma que não o inglês.

英語以外の言語でのサポートメールのサポートには、Google翻訳を使用しています。

Here’s some links that should help you get a good overview of AC.

for those interested in this type of thing….

Requirements:

• Mac with Catalina OS
• iPad with iOS 13+
• AC version from 2.21 (available soon)
• iPad and Mac connected via USB

Here’s a screenshot of my iPad in my Mac’s Finder

Finder showing my iPad’s files

Problems:

AstroConnexionsUser.sqlite3 holds your chart files in the table AstroChartsList. This database can be inspected in the excellent free Mac app DB Browser for SQLite, which is the one I use.

Please note if you are not familiar with databases, file structures, tables, sql, etc please do not ‘play’ around with AC’s databases. You may corrupt the database.

Deleting chart files in the table AstroChartsList.

1. Close down AC on you iPad.
2. Copy (drag and drop) the AstroConnexionsUser.sqlite3 database into DB Browser for SQLite. Delete the required files.
3. Click on Write Changes.
4. Inspect database to see if record is deleted.

It appears that this does not work.

However, here’s one method that appears to work ok: (for those that must! Note that I cannot guarantee that this will work.)

1. Close down AC on you iPad.
2. Copy (drag and drop) the AstroConnexionsUser.sqlite3 database into Finder. From finder drag and drop into DB Browser for SQLite.
3. Delete the required files in the AstroChartsList table. Click on Write Changes.
4. Drag and drop the database over the original database – as seen in the first screenshot above.
5. Open AC. The deleted files should be missing.

Note: do not delete all the your chart records. Leave at least one chart record. 

However. It is highly recommended that DB Browser for SQLite is used to only inspect AC’s database. If you do decide to mess around – do a full back-up first then at least you will be able to do a restore if it all goes wrong! The responsibility is yours!

DB Browser for SQLite

Back up your iPad

Requires:

• Mac with Catalina OS (AFAIK)
• iPad with iOS 13+

Back up iPad

New from AC ver 2.50. Backup your AstroConnexionsUser.sqlite3 database file using the Apple Files app. Please backup this file regularly. The Files app is available from iOS 12 and comes pre-installed on your iPad.

Files app icon:

Files app icon

Note that the following screenshots are taken from an iPad using iPadOS 15.1

Use the Files app to locate the AstroConnexions folder and tap the AstroConnexions folder.

Files app – location of AC

This is what you should see. Tap the AstroConnexionsUser.sqlite3 file

AC files

You should see this. Tap the Share icon and copy to Dropbox, iCloud etc. 

To restore – overwrite the newer AstroConnexionsUser.sqlite3 with the older backup copy of AstroConnexionsUser.sqlite3.

Why might you want to restore? AC might be crashing or similar. Using an older AstroConnexionsUser.sqlite3 should fix the problem.

Use the Pad Files app and move the older AstroConnexionsUser.sqlite3 file.

Note: long-press the AC database file once you have it on your iPad and can see it using the Files app and chose Move. Select the AC folder. When prompted select overwrite the AstroConnexionsUser.sqlite3.

Moving the AC database file

You can backup AC user data using iCloud or iTunes for a Mac/Windows. See also Restore your device from a backup on your computer – On a Mac with macOS Catalina 10.15 or later

Restore:

Apple Support – Restore including Restore your device from a backup on your computer

Note to that it isn’t possible to restore AC individually. The restore procedure restore all your app settings/data from your latest backup. It’s quite a long process as your iPad is wiped clean and IOS is reinstalled then you’re asked if you want to restore your backup data from a backup.

If restoring from iCloud don’t backup your data when asked by the process. You need to restore from a backup prior to getting the crash.

When your iPad is backed-up the AC back-up consists of:

The AC database: AstroConnexionsUser.sqlite3 – a SQLite database. Shown below in DB Browser for SQLite (for Mac)

Some tables are:

• UserPreferences, eg Type of Solar Arc, long or RA
• UserPreferences2, eg Reports preferences, snapshot preferences, etc
• AspectHits – aspect hit data
• AstroChartsList –  a list of your charts and associated data
• CryptoInfo – Crypto Notes and Chart Notes
• Snapshots 

DB Browser for SQLite – AstroConnexionsUser.sqlite3

Reports.csv

AstroConnexions.sqlite3

My iPad – note backup for AC is set automatically.

Batch/Bulk export of Your Charts

You can also backup Your Charts using the Batch/Bulk export function: (from AC ver 1.95)

Export and Delete Charts

DIY – fixing AC’s database

For those who have some knowledge of computers and databases, DIY. What do you need?

A SQLite editor is all you need, a PC or a MAC:

DB Browser for SQLite  is what I use – it’s free.

Or for iOS, SQLiteFlow maybe the answer. I haven’t tried it – £8.99.

Deleting the last record should fix the problem. Always backup the backup!