Above Water FAQ
The questions people send us most, answered briefly. Anything else: support@lavafactory.com.
How often do balances update?
Plaid, the service that connects Above Water to your bank, checks each bank a few times a day. How often depends on the bank. Above Water picks up the latest figure automatically, so there's nothing to refresh by hand. Real-time checks straight from the bank exist, but Plaid charges for each one, so we don't use them today.
Why doesn't the widget match my bank's app?
Banks report two balances: current, and available. Available counts purchases that are still pending, so the two differ until a transaction settles. Each widget lets you choose which one it shows. A widget can also be a few hours behind your bank's app, because it shows the last figure Plaid collected. If a bank stops updating, the widget names it, for example "Chase: last updated 3 d ago".
Can a widget show each account separately instead of a total?
Yes. The Accounts widget lists each account on its own row, with a net total at the bottom. The Balance widget shows one number: either a single account or several added together. Touch and hold a widget and tap Edit Widget to choose.
Does it work with my bank?
Most banks, credit unions and card issuers in the US and Canada work, because they work with Plaid. In the app, tap Connect banks and search. Some banks are listed under a parent company or an older name. If yours really isn't there, Plaid doesn't support it for balances yet. Tell us which one and we'll pass it on.
Does it work in Canada?
Yes. Pick the Canadian name of your bank, such as TD Canada Trust rather than TD Bank, which is the US bank and has a different sign-in.
Do you see my bank password?
No. You sign in to your bank inside Plaid's screen, and we receive a token that can read account names, types, the last four digits of each account number, and balances. It can't move money. You can revoke it from the app, or at my.plaid.com.
Can I keep my balance private on the Lock Screen?
Yes. Each widget has a Precision setting: the exact figure, a rounded one like $14.2k, a bar with no digits, or hidden. A tap on a hidden Balance widget shows the number for 10 seconds. Set the Lock Screen widget to rounded or hidden and keep the exact number on your Home Screen.
Can it show a credit card's available credit?
Yes. When a widget shows one credit card, turn on Available credit to see what you can still spend instead of what you owe. Some card issuers, Capital One among them, don't share the credit limit. The app asks you to enter it once, and then it works the same way.
Can it show cashback or rewards points?
Coming soon. Today Above Water shows the balances your banks share through Plaid.
Can I add an account by hand?
Coming soon. Today every balance comes from a bank you connect through Plaid.
Why does my bank ask me to sign in again?
Banks expire the permission you gave, many of them every twelve months, and some sooner after a password change. The app shows which bank needs attention and takes you through its sign-in again. Check every account you want to keep: some banks start with none selected.
How much does it cost?
$4.99 a month or $39.99 a year, through the App Store, for up to 10 banks. You can try the app with sample data for free before connecting a bank.
Does it work on iPad?
Yes. The same account works on iPhone and iPad, with the same widgets.
How do I delete my data?
Tap Delete account, next to Sign out in the app. Your banks are disconnected after 48 hours unless you change your mind, and everything is deleted after 14 days. The data retention and deletion policy has the details.