The SquishyDrops quick-start guide

Your next find.
One step closer.

Set up your account, find your stores, and share useful updates with Virginia’s squishy community.

01 / START HERE

Make yourself at home.

SquishyDrops for iPhone is being prepared for the App Store. This guide explains the app’s setup and features.

  1. Open SquishyDrops and tap Create account.
  2. Enter your email, choose a username, and create a password with at least 12 characters. A memorable phrase works well.
  3. Review and accept the Terms and Privacy Policy.
  4. Check your email for the verification code, enter it in the app, and sign in.
Use Verify email / enter a code or resend verification if needed. You do not need to reset your password just to verify your email.
02 / FIND YOUR ROUTE

Pick the stores that matter to you.

  1. Open the Map and choose the store chains you want to see.
  2. Search for a Virginia city, ZIP code, or store. Tap a map pin to open that store.
  3. Tap Follow store for your regular stops. They appear in My Stores.
  4. Set a home area and browsing radius in map settings if you want to keep results close.
  5. Use Directions on a store page when you are ready to go.

The home radius controls browsing. It does not change the location requirement for posting a sighting.

03 / KEEP UP WITH THE FINDS

Choose your notifications.

  1. Allow notifications when your iPhone asks. You can also enable them later in iPhone Settings → Notifications → SquishyDrops.
  2. In the app’s Settings, turn on push store alerts.
  3. Choose whether alerts cover your followed stores or all stores, then select the sighting types you want.
  4. Enable mention and reply notifications if you want a heads-up when someone talks to you.
  5. Tap Save notification preferences to apply your changes.
Following a store and allowing iPhone notifications are separate settings. Both your device settings and your in-app alert preferences need to allow the notification. Delivery may be delayed by processing, connectivity, or your iPhone’s Focus settings.
04 / SHARE WHAT YOU SEE

Start a sighting. Keep it accurate.

  1. Open the store while you are nearby, then tap Start Sighting or an available update button.
  2. Choose the status that matches what you see.
  3. For stock updates, describe the squishies available. For a Hope Line, add the people count and any ghost chairs.
  4. Submit your report. Other collectors see it as Anonymous.
  5. Update the same sighting when its status changes, and add details in its discussion.
StatusWhat it means
Hope LineA line is forming; stock is not confirmed.
Stock ConfirmedSquishies are available on the shelf.
Remaining StockA follow-up about what is still available.
CookedA confirmed drop has sold out.
Empty / No StockThe store was checked and no stock was found.
InfoOther useful store information.
Lost HopeA Hope Line ended without a confirmed drop.

Fresh, precise GPS is required for each sighting within 0.5 miles of the store. The accuracy of your location is included in that check. An earlier visit does not let you report after you leave. Admin-granted remote permission is the exception.

Never post a stock confirmation based only on a rumor, delivery guess, or a previous day’s visit. Read the newest updates before submitting.
05 / COLLECT TOGETHER

Add the helpful details.

Each store’s sighting has a discussion. Add a comment, reply to another collector, use @username mentions, or upload a photo from your photo library. Photos belong in comments, not the top-level sighting.

Comments and Squishy Chat show your username. Anonymous posting is for sightings. The newest activity appears at the bottom, so scroll there for the latest context.

Use Squishy Chat for general collector conversation. Stay respectful, avoid repeated posts, and keep private information out of public messages. Use the reporting and blocking controls if you encounter a problem.

06 / MAKE IT YOURS

A few settings worth knowing.

  • Profile: upload an avatar, change your verified email, or update your username. Regular username changes are limited to once every 15 days.
  • Arrival reminders: optional reminders can prompt you to share an update when you reach a store. They do not bypass the sighting location check.
  • Privacy: manage location and notification permissions in iPhone Settings. Review the app’s own arrival options before enabling sharing.
  • Account: change your password or delete your account from Settings.
WHEN YOU NEED A HAND

A quick check usually helps.

My verification email has not arrived.

Check spam and junk folders and confirm that the address is correct. Use the app’s resend option, then use the newest code. If it still does not arrive, contact support when the app launches.

The app says my location is not precise enough.

In iPhone Settings, allow SquishyDrops to use your location and turn on Precise Location. Move to a place with a clear GPS signal and try again near the store. A broad or stale location cannot verify a sighting.

I am not receiving store alerts.

Check iPhone notification permission, Focus and notification summaries, in-app push settings, selected sighting types, and followed stores. Open the app again after changing permissions.

The map has no stores showing.

Check the chain filters, your selected home radius, and whether “Only favorited stores” is enabled. Expand your filters and refresh.

I forgot my password.

Tap Forgot password, enter your email, and use the emailed code to choose a new password. Then sign in again.

Support contact details will be available with the app’s public release.