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Getting Started with the iOS App

Last updated: 2026-10-23

Welcome to momoChef for iOS. This guide will help you download the app, set up your account, and create your first recipe in just a few minutes.

The four main tabs: Recipes, Plan, Grocery, Community.

Download the App

momoChef is available for free on the App Store. Search for "momoChef" or use the link below to download directly.

  • Requires iOS 16.2 or later
  • Compatible with iPhone and iPad
  • Free to download with optional premium features

First-Time Setup

Create Your Account

When you first open momoChef, you'll be prompted to create an account or sign in.

  • Sign up with email: Enter your email address and create a password
  • Sign up with Apple: Use your Apple ID for quick, secure sign-in

Tip: Signing up with Apple means one less password to remember, and your account will sync automatically across devices.

Welcome Flow

After creating your account, momoChef will guide you through a brief welcome flow — a few questions about how you cook, your dietary preferences, and the ingredients you use. A starter recipe book is created for you automatically.

App Navigation

momoChef uses a simple tab-based navigation at the bottom of the screen.

Main Tabs

  • Recipes: Browse and manage all your recipes organized by book
  • Plan: Plan your weekly meals with the calendar view
  • Grocery: Manage shopping lists and pantry items
  • Community: Discover public recipes, join groups, and connect with friends

Account settings and preferences live behind your account button, not a tab.

Key Actions

  • Add Recipe (+): The plus button in the navigation bar lets you add new recipes, import from URLs, or scan from photos
  • Search: Pull down on any list to reveal the search bar
  • Context Menus: Long-press on recipes and books for quick actions

Creating Your First Recipe

There are several ways to add recipes to momoChef. Here's how to create one manually:

Manual Entry

  1. Tap the + button in the top-right corner
  2. Select Write from the menu — the New Recipe sheet opens
  3. Fill in the recipe details:
    • Title (required)
    • Description
    • Servings and prep/cook time
    • Ingredients (one per line)
    • Instructions (one step per line)
  4. Tap Save to add the recipe to your collection

Other Import Methods

momoChef also supports importing recipes from:

  • Website URL: Paste a recipe URL and we'll extract the details automatically
  • Paste Text: Copy the recipe text anywhere and paste it in
  • Photo (Premium): Take a photo of a printed recipe or cookbook page
  • Share Extension: Share recipes directly from Safari or other apps
  • Clipboard Detection: Copy a recipe link in any app, then open momoChef
  • Browse: Open any recipe site in momoChef's built-in browser
  • Video Links: Import from YouTube and TikTok

See our iOS Import Guide for detailed instructions.

The + menu lists every import method.

Organizing Recipes

Recipe Books

Recipes are organized into books. Think of them as folders or collections:

  • Create books for different categories (Dinner, Desserts, Holiday, etc.)
  • Share books with family members or friends
  • Set books as public to share with the community

Tags

Add tags to recipes for flexible organization:

  • Tags like "quick", "vegetarian", or "weeknight"
  • Filter recipes by tags in any book
  • Tags sync across all your devices

Next Steps

Now that you're set up, explore these features: