Upload failures
Uploads can fail for a handful of reasons. This page walks the common ones.
Symptom: “Upload failed” toast on a document
Possible causes:
- File is over 50 MB. Compress or split.
- File format is unsupported. Confirm it’s PDF, DOCX, TXT, or MD.
- Network dropped mid-upload. Retry.
- Storage quota exceeded. Check Settings → Billing on the web.
Fix:
- Confirm size and format.
- Pull-to-refresh the document picker / chat list.
- Tap the failed item → Retry.
Symptom: Photo attachment didn’t appear in the note
Cause: Photo uploaded but Cloudinary processing hadn’t finished when you saved.
Fix:
- Reopen the note. The photo should now appear.
- If still missing, the upload genuinely failed. Edit the note → tap + Photo → add it again.
Symptom: Voice recording uploaded but no transcript
Cause: Transcription is asynchronous and depends on connectivity.
Fix: See Offline and sync — Audio recording didn’t transcribe.
Symptom: Long upload taking forever
Cause: Slow connection on a large file.
Fix:
- Wait. Big files (PDF over 20 MB) can take minutes on cellular.
- Switch to Wi-Fi.
- Compress or split the file before retrying.
Symptom: “Permission denied — files”
Cause: Document Picker permission not granted, or restricted on managed iOS devices (e.g., MDM-controlled work phones).
Fix:
- iOS: Settings → Privacy → Files & Folders → Hilal → ensure access.
- Managed devices: ask your admin to allow Hilal access to file pickers.
Symptom: “Permission denied — photos”
Cause: Photo library permission not granted.
Fix:
- iOS: Settings → Hilal → Photos → ensure “All Photos” or “Selected Photos.”
- Android: Settings → Apps → Hilal → Permissions → ensure Photos is enabled.
Symptom: “Permission denied — camera”
Cause: Camera permission not granted.
Fix:
- iOS: Settings → Hilal → Camera → enable.
- Android: Settings → Apps → Hilal → Permissions → enable Camera.
Symptom: “Permission denied — microphone”
Cause: Microphone permission not granted (needed for voice notes).
Fix:
- iOS: Settings → Hilal → Microphone → enable.
- Android: Settings → Apps → Hilal → Permissions → enable Microphone.
Symptom: “Storage limit reached”
Cause: Your subscription’s storage allowance is full.
Fix:
- Delete old documents from the AI Features → Documents library.
- Delete old voice notes from notes that are no longer relevant.
- Buy the Extra storage add-on on the web.
Reporting
If a specific upload type consistently fails, report a bug with:
- The file format and size.
- Network type.
- iOS or Android, app version.
- The exact error toast or message.