Mug Monitor for iOS

Frequently Asked Questions & Troubleshooting

Connectivity Issues

My app won't connect automatically or gives a "Can't Connect" error.

Bluetooth connections can sometimes be stubborn, especially if there's competition for the signal. Please try the following steps to isolate the issue:

  1. Check for other connected devices: Is another phone or tablet currently paired to the mug and nearby? Sometimes the mug gets "grabbed" by another device's Bluetooth. If so, go into the Bluetooth settings on that other device and completely "Forget" the mug.
  2. Official app interference: If opening the official Ember app establishes the connection immediately, it's possible that app is holding onto the Bluetooth signal in the background. Try force-closing the official app to see if Mug Monitor connects more reliably.
  3. Forget and re-pair: If neither of those is the culprit, let's start fresh. Go to your iPhone's Settings > Bluetooth, find the mug in your list of devices, tap the "i" icon, and select Forget This Device. Open Mug Monitor and re-pair it from scratch.

Note: Make sure "Background Monitoring" and "Wake Up & Connect" are both enabled in the app settings.

Do I need to keep the official app installed?

No, you do not need the official app installed to use Mug Monitor. In fact, sometimes having both apps running in the background can cause them to fight over the Bluetooth connection to the mug. If you are experiencing connection drops, try force-closing the official app.

The app says my mug is "Read Only".

If Mug Monitor indicates that your mug is in a "Read Only" state, you will need to authenticate it with the official Ember app first. Simply open the official app, connect to your mug, and then force-close the official app. After doing this, open Mug Monitor again and it should have full access.

Features & Integrations

How do I enable Live Activities / Dynamic Island?

Live Activities and Dynamic Island support are built directly into Mug Monitor. To ensure they are working:

  • Make sure your iPhone is running iOS 16.2 or later.
  • Go to your iPhone Settings > Mug Monitor and ensure "Live Activities" is toggled ON.
  • Open the Mug Monitor app, go to its internal settings, and ensure Live Activities are enabled there as well.
  • Start a monitoring session in the app, and swipe up to go to your home screen. The Live Activity should automatically appear on your Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island (on supported iPhones).
How do I view the mug on my Apple Watch Smart Stack?

If you have an Apple Watch running watchOS 11 or later, Mug Monitor widgets can appear in your Smart Stack. Simply swipe up from the bottom of your watch face (or turn the Digital Crown upward) to view your Smart Stack. You can long-press the stack to manually pin the Mug Monitor widget so it's always easily accessible.

Note: Make sure Live Activities are enabled in both your iPhone settings and the Mug Monitor app settings, as the Smart Stack widget relies on this feature to update.

Watch Settings: If the widget still isn't showing, check your Apple Watch directly. Press the Digital Crown to open apps, go to Settings > Smart Stack > Live Activities, and verify that "Allow Live Activities" is toggled on.

How do Live Activities work on a Mac?

Live Activities from your iPhone are only visible on your Mac if you use the iPhone Mirroring feature. Once you start iPhone Mirroring, the Live Activity will appear in your Mac's menu bar. It will continue to be visible and update there even after you turn iPhone Mirroring off.

What does the Wake Up Notification do for morning Live Activities?

The Wake Up Notification helps restart your Live Activities for the day. Apple strictly limits how long Live Activities can run indefinitely, and the iOS system will automatically terminate the lock screen widget after a certain period (typically around 8 to 12 hours). Once the system kills the Live Activity overnight, Apple's rules require the app to be brought back into the active foreground to launch a fresh one. Tapping the wake-up notification (or manually opening the app) brings the app to the foreground so it can start your live updates for the morning.

How do the Tea and Milk Timers work?

The app includes a built-in timer with two specialized options depending on your beverage:

  • Tea Timer: A standard countdown timer ideal for steeping your favorite teas.
  • Milk Timer: Specifically designed for milk-based drinks. When this timer expires, it automatically turns off the mug's heater to prevent the milk from caking and scalding at the bottom of the mug.

Still need help?

If you've tried the steps above and are still having trouble, I'm here to help.

Please include your iPhone model and current iOS version in your email.

Contact Support