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How to import recipes

Add a recipe without retyping it. Glowing Constellation uses AI to read the recipe and fill in the name, servings, ingredients and method for you, then lets you check everything before it is saved.

On the mobile app

  1. Open the app and go to the Home screen. You will see an Add a Recipe panel. You can also add a recipe from the Recipes tab.
  2. Choose how you want to add the recipe:
    • Import From Web to pull a recipe from a web page link.
    • Scan Recipe to take a photo of a recipe with your camera.
    • Upload Image to pick a photo of a recipe from your photo library. It is labelled Upload Recipe Image on the Home screen.
    • Upload Recipe File to import a recipe from a file on your phone.
    • Enter Manually to type the recipe in yourself.
  3. If you chose Import From Web, an in-app browser opens on a Google search for recipes. From here:
    • Type a search or paste a link into the bar at the top, labelled Search recipes or enter website URL, then tap the search button.
    • Open the recipe you want. Use the back and forward arrows at the top left to move between pages.
    • Once you are on a single recipe page, an Import recipe from this site button appears at the bottom. Tap it.
  4. Wait a moment while the AI reads the recipe.
  5. Step 1 of 3: check the recipe name, photo, servings and ingredients. Tap the pencil to rename the recipe, the bin to remove an ingredient or the plus to add one.
  6. Step 2 of 3: check the method.
  7. Step 3 of 3: choose your categories, add any notes and save.

The import button stays hidden on home pages and on search results, so if you cannot see it, open the individual recipe first.

If the recipe states how many servings it makes, the app detects it. Changing the servings or cake tin afterwards affects how the ingredients scale later, so the app asks you to confirm first.

The Add New Recipe menu on the mobile app showing Import From Web, Enter Manually, Scan Recipe, Upload Image, Upload Recipe File and Manage Categories
Choose an import method
The in-app browser open on a BBC Food Easy ginger cake recipe with the Import recipe from this site button at the bottom
Open a recipe in the in-app browser
An imported Easy Carrot Cake recipe on step 1 of 3 showing the photo and ingredient list ready to review
Review the imported recipe

On the web

  1. Log in and open Recipes from the menu.
  2. Select + Add Recipe and choose a method:
    • Import from Web to pull a recipe from a web page link.
    • Upload Image to upload a photo of a recipe.
    • Upload File to upload a PDF, Word or text file of a recipe.
    • Enter Manually to type the recipe in yourself.
  3. For Import from Web, paste the full link to the recipe page into the Recipe URL box. For Upload Image, choose a clear photo of the recipe. For Upload File, choose a PDF, .docx or .txt file.
  4. Select Continue and wait while the AI extracts your recipe.
  5. Check the details on the form, make any changes and save the recipe.

If the import fails, check that the link opens a recipe page, or try a clearer photo or a different file, then try again.

The Add Recipe menu on the Recipes page showing Import from Web, Upload Image, Upload File and Enter Manually
Select + Add Recipe and choose a method
The Add Recipe page with Import from URL selected, showing the Recipe URL box and the Continue button
Paste the link to the recipe page
The Add Recipe page with Upload Image selected, showing the Choose file button and the Continue button
Or choose a photo of the recipe
The Add Recipe page with Upload File selected, showing the Choose file button for a PDF, Word or text file and the Continue button
Or choose a PDF, Word or text file