u/lukas_0781

Hey everyone,

I’m building a meditation app (StillMind) with Expo SDK 54 / React Native 0.81 and I’m trying to integrate Apple HealthKit to save mindful sessions. I’m using react-native-health for this.

My setup:

•	Expo SDK 54, bare workflow  
•	react-native-health installed  
•	NSHealthShareUsageDescription and NSHealthUpdateUsageDescription in Info.plist  
•	HealthKit entitlement added in app.json

The problem: When I call initHealthKit with MindfulSession permissions, it either returns an error or succeeds silently, but StillMind never appears in iOS Settings → Health → Apps. The permission dialog never shows.

My code:

const permissions = {
permissions: {
read: [AppleHealthKit.Constants.Permissions.MindfulSession],
write: [AppleHealthKit.Constants.Permissions.MindfulSession],
},
};
AppleHealthKit.initHealthKit(permissions, (err) => {
if (err) console.log("HealthKit error:", err);
});

Questions:

1.	Does react-native-health work with Expo SDK 54 / New Architecture?  
2.	Is there something special needed to trigger the permission dialog?  
3.	Any known issues with MindfulSession specifically?

Any help appreciated!

Built StillMind, a breathing and stress relief app for iOS. Launched April 1st, completely solo, no budget, no audience. Just me coding and figuring out distribution as I go.

One month in: organic downloads in 4 countries, 13 five-star App Store reviews, 2 monthly subscribers and 8 in-app purchases. All organic.

Still have some obvious gaps. Screenshots are getting replaced this week, subtitle is missing and the app title is only in German right now. All fixed with the update this weekend.

Two bugs I am currently fighting: a WidgetKit widget that is set up correctly in Xcode but refuses to show up on the home screen, and an Apple Health integration that works fine in the simulator but crashes on TestFlight. If anyone has seen either of these before, would love to hear what fixed it.

Next update also brings Apple Watch HRV stress measurement with Apple Health integration working on that side, and breathing sessions triggered directly from the watch.

For anyone who has shipped an app: what actually drove your first real growth? And how are you handling short form video content like Reels and TikTok as a solo dev? Is there a way to make that sustainable without it taking over your life?

Launched StillMind on April 1st. Simple iOS app for breathing exercises and stress relief. 60 seconds, no account, no fluff. Came from my own experience with stress and not finding anything simple enough to actually use in the moment.

4 weeks in: organic downloads across 4 countries, 13 five-star reviews, 2 monthly subscribers and 8 in-app purchases. All organic, no paid ads.

I know the App Store listing is not fully optimized yet. Screenshots are not ideal and getting replaced this week, the subtitle is still missing and the app title is currently only in German. All three are getting fixed with the next update this weekend.

Currently stuck on two technical issues. First, a WidgetKit home screen widget that is configured in Xcode but simply doesn’t appear on the home screen. Second, an Apple Health integration that is coded but crashes on TestFlight even though it works in the simulator. If anyone has dealt with either of these I would genuinely appreciate any pointers.

Next release includes Apple Watch HRV stress measurement with breathing sessions directly on the watch. Apple Health integration is working on that side and will be part of the same update.

Two questions for anyone who has been through this stage: what actually moved the needle for you in the first 90 days? And how did you handle Reels and TikTok content creation as a solo founder? Did you find a way to automate or batch it without spending hours every week?

I launched StillMind on April 1st, a breathing and stress relief app for iOS. No big marketing budget, no audience beforehand, just me building and figuring out distribution as I go. First month has been encouraging. Organic downloads in 4 countries, 13 five-star App Store reviews, 2 monthly subscribers and 8 in-app purchases from real people who found it on their own.

Currently stuck on a technical issue: I built a home screen widget with WidgetKit and configured everything in Xcode but it simply doesn’t show up on the home screen. The widget target is added, entitlements look fine, but nothing appears. Has anyone run into this and knows what the fix was?

Next up once that’s solved: new screenshots and Apple Watch update with HRV stress measurement and breathing sessions directly on the watch. Big week ahead. For those who have been through the early stage, what actually moved the needle for you? What would you do differently in the first 60 days?

For years I planned morning routines I never kept. Eventually I stripped everything back to one thing: 60 seconds of conscious breathing before looking at my phone. So simple you can’t forget it. It helped me so much that I built StillMind around that exact idea. Not here to advertise, just sharing what worked for me personally. Happy to chat with anyone who wants to exchange experiences on small habits that actually stick.

For me the hardest part was never the stress itself, it was the evening. Body exhausted, brain still going. I tried a lot of things but most felt like too much effort when I was already drained. What ended up working for me was something embarrassingly simple: 60 seconds of slow breathing before bed. Extended exhale, nothing fancy. It helped me so much that I eventually built an app around it to help others do the same. Not here to promote anything, just genuinely curious what works for other people. Happy to chat if anyone wants to exchange experiences.

Hey everyone,

I launched a small iOS app called StillMind – it’s a breathing and stress relief app focused on 60-second exercises. No ads, no account required, just simple stress relief.

I’m looking to improve my App Store visibility (ASO) and get some basic SEO done for my website. Budget is around $40.

I found a Fiverr seller with 4.8★ and 150+ reviews. Here are their packages:

•	Basic $20 (3 days) – Social media marketing only

•	Standard $50 (5 days) – Social media marketing + ASO

•	Premium $90 (7 days) – Social media marketing + “Powerful” ASO

The ASO sample work they showed looked decent, but I’m skeptical about the social media part. I’m trying to negotiate a custom offer for ASO only (~$20-30).

Has anyone here hired a Fiverr freelancer for ASO or website SEO for an indie app?

•	Did it actually improve your rankings/downloads?

•	Any recommended sellers or red flags to watch out for?

•	Is $40 even enough for something meaningful?

Would appreciate any real experiences. Thanks!

Hey everyone,

I launched a small iOS app called StillMind – it’s a breathing and stress relief app focused on 60-second exercises. No ads, no account required, just simple stress relief.

I’m looking to improve my App Store visibility (ASO) and get some basic SEO done for my website. Budget is around $40.

I found a Fiverr seller with 4.8★ and 150+ reviews. Here are their packages:

•	Basic $20 (3 days) – Social media marketing only

•	Standard $50 (5 days) – Social media marketing + ASO

•	Premium $90 (7 days) – Social media marketing + “Powerful” ASO

The ASO sample work they showed looked decent, but I’m skeptical about the social media part. I’m trying to negotiate a custom offer for ASO only (~$20-30).

Has anyone here hired a Fiverr freelancer for ASO or website SEO for an indie app?

•	Did it actually improve your rankings/downloads?

•	Any recommended sellers or red flags to watch out for?

•	Is $40 even enough for something meaningful?

Would appreciate any real experiences. Thanks!